Landlord Question and Answer Forum

I have a tenant that is renting a room /share a townhome that I own. The tenant has given me $100 on April X. He owes $70 immediately to continue occupancy till April 30. He owes $400 due May 1st. The tenant has not produced any more money. There is no lease signed. (I was in the middle of preparing a lease). I went over to the house and it was trashed. I asked him to vacate the property. He said no. Since there is no lease - what should I do? A) Get him to sign a year lease now and then serve eviction notice? B) Get him to sign month to month agreement and then evict him? C) Get him to sign a Tenant at will or a borders agreement - then evict him? D) Serve him with a Georgia 3 Day Demand for Possession form? E) Give him $100 to move out and get him to sign a letter that he agrees to leave for $100. Any help is greatly apprecated. I have learned my lesson well!! Thank you!!

If you think he'll actually move out immediately for $100, make the offer, but don't give him the $100 until his belongings are all gone and he's given back the keys. Otherwise just serve him with the eviction notice and file in court ASAP.

Posted by Renee R, MD on Tuesday, May 3, 2011