Is it a good idea to block someone you are evicting?

Landlords often get in trouble by continuing to make contact after an eviction is initiated. Sometimes things are resolved after an eviction is started and the tenant wants to halt the eviction. Tell me your tales.

Just exactly why would you want to do that?

In CA, you are REQUIRED to watch your mail once you file or are served with a lawsuit. There may be issues to resolve that can be handled quickly and informally with a simple telephone call.

For other calls that are just a harassment, any competent landlord knows how to easily handle them. Plus, you don't look good in court for denying legitimate attempts to communicate.

I personally don't take tenants that cannot be reasoned with. Good tenant screening pretty much eliminates these problems.

I think the just of the situation is that you need to pick your words in response carefully and not get pulled into an argument or negotiation. When you respond you need to consider how your words could be twisted to paint a different picture in front of a judge. With that, I don't block current tenants but I do minimize the response to just a few words that are very clear.

Pretty much what Mike says.

The trick: have the self discipline to reply as little as needed to restate pertinent information.

I file against someone only if all other paths have failed. I consider an eviction MY failure as much as it is a tenants because I wasn't able to prevent an issue from escalating.

As I just mentioned in my post "Ghosting" today, I go silent UNTIL papers are served and/or the tenant acknowledges they know about the court date. That way I don't give them warning to hide from the process server.

Once we've gotten that established, I will communicate within a limited range such as "This is how much you owe" or if the tenant reports a "fire, flood, or blood" emergency. I'm still the landlord and still have duties to perform up until the time the judge terminates the lease. Failure to respond could trigger a negative event that tarnishes my eviction case.

I do NOT use text and phone, though, especially if they get abusive. Too easy to misunderstand or get into "he said/she said" with verbal communication. Everything is in writing and carefully proof-read before sending.

If they're just being vulgar and aren't offering anything constructive, then I save and print the communication log for the judge in case he/she wants to see it. Never had to show it yet, but I figure it could come in handy.

Once I file it is all out of my hands as far as working out a deal with them. I figure I have given them enough of my time and effort up to that point.

If they call or text with a need I judge it by how much the work is needed. Had one tenant complain the AC wasn't working right in the apartment even though it was about 55 degrees outside.

Then you get the ones who will trick you by calling from other numbers. Well that was solved by all calls go to voicemail.

If legit I handle it, or get someone else over there to handle it. Most times it is just a deadbeat trying to gain power over you while they scramble to get their own life together.

I hate evictions. I try my best to avoid them. I would rather work something thru with the tenant, even if it is just giving them the option to leave on their own.