If you're the owner of a short-term rental property, the very last thing you ever want to think about is having to evict one of your guests. However, if they don't follow the rules laid out in your rental agreement, there are only so many solutions available before eviction becomes a sad reality. Here's how to avoid the situation — and what to do when you can't.
Why Would I Need to Evict My Short-Term Rental Guests?
One of the most common reasons an owner must consider eviction is when a guest stays past their check-out date without approval. This can pose a huge problem, especially if they have been on your property long enough to gain tenant rights.
Many short-term rental owners don't think about reading up on landlord/tenant laws before renting their spaces out. If you allow a guest to stay too long on your property, they can develop tenant rights. Those laws vary by state, but in general if someone develops these rights, it becomes much more difficult and expensive to remove them correctly — potentially tying up your property for months and costing thousands of dollars.
What Resolution Options Do I Have?
When eviction seems to be the only solution and the guest does not yet fall within tenant rights issues, you have a few options:
- Provide Written Notice: The first and easiest step — provide a written or oral notice of eviction. Do it in writing and keep a copy. If you're lucky, this solves the issue quickly.
- Stage a Lock-Out: As long as your renters do not have tenant rights, you can lock them out of the property. Be aware this poses a potential liability issue for holding their personal belongings.
- Call the Police: The most extreme option. Before doing this, have all papers and proof of eviction ready — booking information, your lease agreement, and evidence the property is a short-term rental.
4 Steps to Avoid the Situation
1. State the Rules Clearly
Ensure the rules are clearly stated in your rental agreement. Your listing should be clear and concise on what is and is not allowed, and remind guests of your policy during the check-in message — including the check-out date, fees for overstaying, and that extensions require host approval.
2. Keep a Close Eye on Length of Stay
Be careful when allowing longer bookings. If your local laws give tenant rights after 15 days, an 8-day booking followed by a 7-day booking by the same guest can cause a problem if brought to court. Limit extensions on exceptionally long bookings and only approve long-term rentals to verified renters.
3. Invest in Smart Locks and Security Cameras
Smart locks let you lock the listing remotely without physically being there. Exterior security cameras help ensure guests are following your rules. Remember: cameras must be disclosed on your listing.
4. Get Short-Term Vacation Rental Insurance
Short-term vacation rental insurance can help in a multitude of ways — including loss of income coverage for situations where guests refuse to leave your property. Having a good insurance company that understands the issues you may face can truly make the difference.