According to news published by Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia has the second-highest eviction rate in the country. The shocking part is that just 15 landlords are responsible for more than 50% of these evictions.
This raises questions about unjust evictions and unnecessarily strict eviction policies. If you're a Virginia landlord who wants to avoid suspicion in this regard, you must know all about the mandatory eviction process in your area.
Keep reading for more about how to handle evictions in Hampton Roads, VA.
Permissible Reasons to Evict Tenants
Non-payment of rent is the most common reason for evicting tenants, but landlords must give the tenant five days to rectify the matter before they consider eviction.
It's always better to try and come to a compromise in these cases, especially if the tenant has always paid on time before. Vacant rental properties can cause considerable financial loss to the landlord.
Other reasons for evicting tenants include:
- Violation of the lease
- Conducting illegal activity
- Non-renewal of a lease after it expires
The Evictions Process in Virginia
Evictions in Virginia include several standard steps. These are:
Issuing the Tenant a Notice to Comply
A notice to comply or vacate is a form that the landlord delivers to their tenant if they violate their lease. After receiving this, the tenant has 30 days to rectify the matter or move out of the property.
If the tenant objects, the landlord can proceed with the next step in the eviction process.
Filing an Unlawful Detainer
You must file all the necessary forms correctly to complete a successful eviction. The landlord can obtain these forms from the circuit or general district court serving the property's location.
Once you've filled them out, you must pay the filing fees.
Serving the Summons and Complaint
In Virginia, a sheriff, professional process server, or other qualified person must deliver these documents. They inform the tenant about the date of the eviction hearing.
Getting a Judgement for Possession
If the landlord provides a strong argument and solid evidence for eviction and the tenant does not arrive for the hearing, the judge may rule in the landlord's favor immediately.
Should the tenant object, the judge must view all the supporting evidence and make a decision based on that.
Gaining a Writ of Eviction
When the landlord wins the case, the court issues a Writ of Possession or Writ of Eviction at the landlord's request. If you don't request this document within 180 days after the hearing, you'll need to start the process from the beginning.
The Writ of Eviction is a court order served by the sheriff. It informs the tenant that they must move out or face forcible eviction.
Effective Tenant Management in Virginia
One of the best ways to avoid evictions in Hampton Roads, VA, is to hire a property management firm to oversee your rental homes. These experts carry out stringent tenant screening procedures to limit the likelihood of evictions.
They can also help you manage any unavoidable evictions within the bounds of the law. Get in touch for assistance with all your rental property needs and relieve all the stresses involved in being a landlord.
