Getting evicted is a terrible experience. Here are some ways to avoid it.
Many people were financially impacted by COVID-19, some unable to even afford rent. The CARES Act protected renters against evictions and late fees, but that expired on July 24th 2020. Eviction laws vary from state to state, so make sure to review the laws in your state and county before you start packing.
What is an eviction?
An eviction involves a landlord ordering a tenant out of a rental property. Evictions can be ordered for different reasons, but many are due to lease violations like a tenant not paying rent. While an eviction won’t show up on your credit score, it can appear on other consumer reports, making it difficult for you to land your next place. If you have unpaid rent, those missed payments can show up on your credit report and negatively impact your credit score.
What are reasons for evictions?
Your landlord needs to have a legitimate reason for evicting you that is recognized by the state. There are some common reasons for evictions, but it’s important to check your state law to confirm what is allowed in your state. There are common eviction reasons that have to do with the renter’s behavior like:
- Missed rent payment
- History of late payments
- Allowing too many people to live in the property
- Subleasing the property without permission
- Listing the property on Airbnb or other travel rental sites without permission
- Behavior that inconveniences other tenants
- Living in a business property
- Refusing to abide by legal changes to rent or terms of your lease
- Property damage
- Illegal usage
Your landlord can also evict you if they have needs or wants like:
- Needing to occupy the property
- Substantially renovating the property in a way that prevents you from safely living there
- Wants to demolish the building
- Wants to convert the property into a condo (with government approval)
How to avoid an eviction if you can’t pay rent.
If your landlord wants to occupy the property themselves or has other personal, legal reasons for evicting you, there’s probably not much you can do. However, you can prevent an eviction that is based on your actions or an inability to pay rent. Once you receive an eviction notice, you can take one of three actions: attempt to resolve the issue, move out, or stay and contest the eviction in court.
You can avoid an eviction by making timely rent payments and abiding by the terms of your lease. If you are having financial difficulties that have made it challenging to pay rent, there are a few things you can do to avoid an eviction.
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Temporarily change the way you pay for things.
If you are temporarily short on cash for rent, you can shift the way you pay for other expenses to afford rent. For example, you can temporarily switch to using credit to cover expenses like groceries and gas and save your cash for rent. Once you are back on your feet, you should prioritize paying off your credit card or consolidating high-interest debt with a personal loan.
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Speak to your landlord.
If there’s any chance you will be late with rent, speak to your landlord as soon as possible. Telling your landlord you can’t pay rent isn’t an easy conversation to have, but giving your landlord advance notice can go a long way in granting you more time to come up with the cash needed. Your landlord may be willing to discount rent for a period of time, or let you carry over the amount to the next month. Speaking to your landlord can help you avoid an eviction notice.
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Research rent assistance programs in your area.
Due to the pandemic, there are relief programs you may qualify for. “Many localities have begun to offer rental & utility assistance. They may be able to help with immediate resources for getting caught up on payments. The state has also dispersed funds to Community Action Agencies (CAA) across the state that can be used to cover rent, utility and mortgage payments,” Director of the Housing Policy for the North Carolina Housing Coalition. Resources you can look to for help include:
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Take out a loan.
If you need cash fast to cover rent, a short-term loan could help. Uprova offers loans between $300 and $5,000 that can be used for just about any expense including rent. Borrowers can get started without impacting their credit. You can apply for funding online and if approved, receive funds in as soon as one business day.
What to do if you can’t avoid an eviction.
If there’s no way to avoid a legal eviction, you should begin to look for alternative housing. There are that can help you find low-income housing in your area. Unfortunately, many low-income housing developments fill up quickly. You may need to borrow funds to be able to pay first and last month’s rent. If you have friends or family nearby, you may be able to stay with them while you find your next place.
Summary
The best ways to avoid an eviction is to abide by the terms of your lease and pay your rent on time. A realistic budget can help you keep your spending in check, but when unexpected expenses or events occur, a personal loan can help you stay afloat.
Be sure to communicate with your landlord and attempt to work out a payment plan or other solution to avoid an eviction notice. If an eviction is unavoidable, immediately begin to look for affordable housing in the area and prepare to move. Try to pay off any overdue bills to avoid issues with your credit.
If you need cash to cover emergency expenses, Uprova.com can help. You can request between $300 and $5,000 with a low APR, flexible terms & industry leading service.