Avoiding Eviction after Job Loss
Ways to Prevent Getting Evicted from Your House or Apartment
If you've just lost your job, are late on your rent and have nowhere to go, you do have options. How to negotiate with your landlord and keep from losing your home.
Chances are your landlord doesn’t want to evict you any more than you want to be evicted. The legal fees, along with the hassles of filing a warrant make the process something property owners try to avoid. If you’re behind on your rent, take steps now to ensure you don’t lose your home:
- Negotiate with your landlord. If you’ve just lost your job, contact your landlord immediately. Explain the situation and what steps you are taking to find another job. Try to work out a payment plan. He/she may agree to accept smaller payments until you get back on your feet.
- Communicate constantly. Call or e-mail your landlord weekly and let him know what you are doing to improve your situation. If you are actively job hunting, tell him what companies you have contacted and the response. Landlords are much more willing to work with you if they know you are making every effort to find employment.
- File for unemployment insurance immediately. The paperwork may take awhile to get processed, so the sooner you file, the sooner you’ll receive money to help pay the rent.
- Offer to do odd jobs. If you are renting an apartment, talk to the landlord about doing some maintenance around the complex. Lawnmowing, leaf raking, weeding and trimming are some examples. If you're in a house, offer to re-paint the interior and exterior. This may buy you some time.
- Get a roommate. Even if you prefer living alone, you might find someone who needs temporary living arrangements and can help with the rent until you find a job.
- Apply for temp work. Agencies are always looking for qualified people to fill in. Often this is the best way to land a new job.
How Does the Eviction Process Work?
Your landlord goes to court and files an eviction warrant against you. A sheriff or marshall will tack the warrant on your door. If you want to fight the eviction you usually have seven days to file what’s called an "answer" in court. If your landlord is charging that you did not pay rent, you may have a defense if he failed to make necessary repairs.
Reasons for Eviction Include:
- Non-payment of rent
- Breaking a lease
- Not moving out when the lease expires
Bottom line: You don’t want an eviction on your record. It will seriously hurt your credit rating. Try to come to terms with your landlord before the eviction process begins.
Sources: Atlanta Legal Aid, San Francisco Tenants Union
