A 19 year-old tenant in Manchester, New Hampshire attacks his landlord with a rusty hatchet over a rent payment dispute. While arguing with his tenant in Boston, Massachusetts, a landlord is bludgeoned in the head, and dragged out unconscious into the snow on his front porch. The son of a landlord in Worcester, Massachusetts is arrested by police gunpoint after allegedly killing the homeowner’s 29-year old-tenant.

These are true examples of what can happen when the relationship between a landlord and tenant goes wrong. There are many opportunities for disputes. The MacArthur Foundation in its 2005 newsletter states there are over 35 million tenants in the United States, a third of all U.S. households.

Eviction is the final recourse to a dispute between a landlord and tenant. The process creates a considerable amount of stress for both parties. When a landlord or property manager has exhausted all the remedies available to settle a rent collection or other disagreement, they need to know what steps to take to remove a problem tenant from the property.

Residential property management consultant Carolyn Gibson’s book, “Secrets to a Successful Eviction for Landlords and Rental Property Managers: The Complete Guide to Evicting Tenants Legally and Quickly” (Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.) provides some answers and direction.

Gibson believes that “part of the reason why rental income homeowners are going into bankruptcy and foreclosure action is because of waiting too long to deal with a problem tenant, and not knowing the eviction court process. The landlord needs to know when and how to effectively deal with a tenant who is not paying the rent or is damaging the property.”

Gibson’s book illustrates her many years of executive property management experience and company ownership. She stresses preventive methods to limit evictions, and effective ways to document and conduct an eviction case. The book also outlines how the landlord should deal with an angry, emotional tenant.

The five-star rated book at Amazon.com provides very good advice on how the landlord should approach an eviction situation. Gibson explains that the landlord should take a calm, rational approach. If a landlord needs an attorney, “Secrets to a Successful Eviction” outlines how to hire a real estate lawyer, and how to be an effective client.

Carolyn Gibson’s articles and books on real estate management and landlord-tenant issues can be found at her web site at www.synergyprofessionals.com.

Eviction Book Outlines How to Avoid

Fatal Conflicts in Landlord-Tenant Disputes

Carolyn Gibson, CPM®

Boston, Massachusetts

617-298-7484    

email: Synergysvc@aol.com

www.Synergyprofessionals.com

The son of a landlord in Worcester, Massachusetts is arrested by police gunpoint after allegedly killing the homeowner’s 29-year old-tenant. A landlord’s 19 year-old tenant in Manchester, N.H.  attacks him with a rusty hatchet over a rent payment dispute. While arguing with his tenant in Boston, Massachusetts, a landlord is bludgeoned in the head, and dragged out unconscious into the snow on his front porch.  

The situations above are true examples of what can happen when the relationship between a landlord and the tenant goes wrong. According to a report by the National Association of Realtors, over 70% of homeowners purchased rental income property in 2007. The MacArthur Foundation in its 2005 newsletter states there are over 35 million tenants in the United States, a third of all U.S. households.

Eviction is the final recourse to a dispute between a landlord and tenant. The process creates a considerable amount of stress for both the homeowner and the tenant. When a landlord or property manager has exhausted all the remedies available to settle a disagreement, homeowners of rental income property need to know what steps to take to bring closure to the landlord-tenant relationship. 

Certified Property Manager® and property management consultant Carolyn Gibson has written a book titled, “Secrets to a Successful Eviction for Landlords and Rental Property Managers: The Complete Guide to Evicting Tenants Legally and Quickly” (Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.). Gibson believes that “part of the reason why rental income homeowners are going into bankruptcy and foreclosure action is because the landlord does not always know when and how to effectively deal with a tenant who is not paying the rent or is damaging the property.”

Gibson’s book illustrates her many years of executive property management experience. She stresses preventive methods as well as ways to document and conduct an eviction case. Mike Hapstein of Jacksonville, Florida states on Amazon.com: ”The book…cleanly lays out the action which landlords should take when evicting a tenant. Also, the book provides very good advice as to how the landlord should approach the situation. Gibson explains that the landlord should take a calm, rational approach, and Gibson also outlines how the landlord should deal with an angry, emotional tenant.”

Carolyn Gibson’s articles and books on real estate management and landlord-tenant issues can be found at her web site, www.synergyprofessionals.com.  

P.O. Box 300160       Boston, MA  02130-0002

Economist's Commentary: February 13, 2009