If you are a homeowner in the process of evicting a tenant, it is important to know and follow the law. There are specific steps that one must follow to evict a tenant legally, and failing to do so can result in costly legal fees and even eviction from your own home. For instance, you should get an eviction process server to deliver the eviction notice to your tenant. You should also ensure that you have all of the required documents, such as a lease agreement, before beginning the eviction process.
If you fail to follow the proper steps when evicting a tenant, you could be liable for their damages. Below is a detailed list of a few legal repercussions that can befall a homeowner who doesn’t follow the law when evicting tenants.
Fines
If you are found to have illegally evicted a tenant, you could be fined by the court. The fine will depend on the severity of your actions. Also, whether or not they caused any harm to the tenant. Penalties will harm your credit score and could make it challenging to get approved for a loan in the future.
Illegally evicting a tenant can also result in a lawsuit. The tenant could sue you for damages, such as the cost of finding new housing or any personal property damaged during the eviction. If you lose the lawsuit, you will be responsible for paying the tenant’s legal fees and any damages awarded.
Loss of Tenant’s Rights
If you illegally evict a tenant, they could file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau or the state attorney general’s office. It could lead to an investigation of your business practices and result in losing your right to rent out your property.
In some cases, the tenant may also be able to get an injunction against you, which would prevent you from evicting them or renting out your property to anyone else. It could have a significant financial impact on you, as it would mean that you would no longer be able to collect rent from your tenant.
Criminal Charges
In some cases, illegally evicting a tenant can result in criminal charges against you. The most serious charge is forcible entry, a felony in most states. This charge can carry a prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to $5000.
Evicting a tenant is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. Be sure to follow the law and consult with an attorney if you have any questions about the eviction process. Failing to do so could result in some very serious consequences.