If you are an Ohio landlord, you may not be feeling as secure as you once were. Media reports are full of tenants unable to pay the rent and full of people demanding that landlords cannot evict people.
These are challenging times for everyone. That does not mean you can afford to survive with no rent coming in. If you have tenants behind on the rent, these are some steps you can take:
- Talk to your tenants: Clear communication allows you to find out what your tenant’s situation is. They may have every intention of continuing to pay, even if they are a little late.
- Check your lease agreement: It is unlikely that you remember all the details written in your lease document, so refresh your mind.
- Check what the laws say: As so many people are struggling to pay the rent, individual states have introduced legislation to take account of the exceptional situation.
- Put things in context: A lease agreement is a legal document which takes no account of the humans involved or the situation of the world around them.
While it is natural to consider evicting tenants who do not pay their rent, this may not be your best option. Finding new tenants could be hard. Besides, some businesses and people may have had a tough couple of months but will soon be back to paying your rent on time.
To check your legal options, contact an Ohio law firm. They can offer you clear advice on your rights as a landlord.