Has anyone ever locked tenants out of the house for nonpayment of rent?

I have some tenants who are moving the end of April. Sent me an email this morning saying they were going out of town until April 4 and would leave their April rent check in my basket in the breezeway (this is where they always leave it). Checked the basket and it isn't there. Emailed them with no response. Texted them with no response. Several times in the past I have had to remind them that I hadn't received the rent yet. They are an educated young couple (24ish). Going to be getting married, just bought a house, etc.

At this point, I'm thinking they are going to use their security deposit for last month's rent.

A local landlord locked out a tenant who has not paid rent for several months. Tenant called the cops. Cops told the LL that the T has the right to break a window if necessary to let himself in, and that the T would not be obligated to pay for the broken window.

T also called Legal Aid, which told him that if it happens again, they would file a lawsuit against the LL.

I do NOT recommend doing a self-help lock-out.

I recommend filing an eviction (if you can in your state) in early April. The eviction lawsuit will show up on the Ts' credit reports and will follow them around for years. Unless your courts are swift, it won't do you any good, but it will give you some revenge.

Sorry tenant, but mostly peaceful squatters broke into your house while you were away. Looks like they stole and sold all your stuff and have made themselves at home in your place. I called the cops but the cops told me it was a civil matter and that I had to go through the eviction process.

Don't worry though, I have already started the process and the courts said that in a few months they would get to it. In the meantime, you will have to deal with the squatters yourself as the cops said the squatters had "rights" and that I could not just throw them out. You are welcome to file your own eviction suit against the squatters. It only costs a few hundred dollars and the court will get to it when they get time.

I agree with the op and with Ken. They probably intend to use security for last month; however, why would they make the effort to contact you to tell you they brought the rent if they didn't? Why not just ignore?

That said, the first is still four days away. Even if they're not back, do you have such a low tolerance that four days late when you know they are away is a true issue? Yes, I know many say "zero tolerance" but four days is four days. Yes, they can and should pay prior to the first but again, it's four days.

I like the reply from Richard[MI].

Mike45 is always the voice of reason with solid legal advice.

I have been hearing so many folks lately talk about wanting to evict. What happens if you evict - of yeah you will not get any of the CARES stimulus money.

over all NOW is not the time to evict.

In your case since they just bought a home, if they damage your place and you notice it after they move out - let them know that you place a personal judgement against them that impacts their new home.

Do NOT lock them out. In SC only the Courts can do that.

Call or text emergency numbers - you should have that on you lease.

Call or text their place of employment.

Be creative maybe something like Richard suggested.

Keep an eye on the place if possible - contact a neighbor.

Marcia,

Do NOT change the locks. In MY state and probably in yours it is illegal. Our judge put a LL in jail for doing that.

They are ghosting you - on purpose. They know it's unpaid and have spent the rent and are hiding.

Act now. Do not wait. Deliver (post it on their door today) the required late/default notice and file eviction ASAP.

We get what we allow. I realize WI has tenant friendly laws but a grace period tells renters the payment date does not matter. It's like telling a 2 year old they cannot have a cookie but giving them a cookie while they wait to get their cookie.

I have a court hearing tomorrow with a couple that we "worked with" during the pandemic, owed a few thousand in rent and another few thousand in cleaning/repairs, total $6676. The qualified for a loan because MY eviction filing was posted AFTER they signed for the new house.

Moratorium: judges differ greatly. If your judge will actually read the CDC rules your people are not protected.

We have evicted several during moratorium.

Indiana Supreme Court and maybe yours, declared a moratorium cannot stop someone from FILING.

Stay strong!

Do not EVER do a self eviction of any tenants. It will bite you and give the tenants more power, if it goes to court, not to mention you will probably be fined a LOT of money, look bad in the public (and other tenant's eyes) when it goes public and just makes things much easier for the tenants.

It is illegal to do an lock out until the eviction has proceded through court and you win or they move out on their own and it is vacant.

Have you actually checked your rental unit to see if these tenants haven't moved out early?

Didn't I hear that neighbors contacted you reporting the sound of water running in your rental? Better go over there to check out this possible emergency repair.

Since we can't lock the doors... can we move in a new tenant...