disappear move out?
If you have a renter who stopped paying rent or is a nuisance to rent to, you might consider a cash for keys agreement to get them to leave. Cash for keys deals are also an option for landlords and rental property owners who want to see a delinquent tenant move out quickly.
Cash for keys is an agreement between an owner and a tenant for a renter to move out on an agreed-upon date in exchange for cash. Cash for key deals gained popularity during the Housing Crisis when banks offered cash for keys to occupants of foreclosed properties.
A cash for keys offer can also be an attractive solution to landlords who want responsible tenants to move out, so they can remodel the property, move-in themselves, or change the lease in order to increase the rent to market rate. When a landlord offers cash for keys to a tenant in a rent-controlled property in order to sell the property or increase the rent to market rate, it is typically referred to as a Buyout Agreement.
What is Cash for Keys?
Cash for keys provides an incentive for tenants who can no longer pay rent to move out by a certain date and then receive a cash reward from the landlord. It might seem counterintuitive to pay tenants who cannot pay rent, however, many investors are finding that the program actually costs less than filing fees, attorney fees and lack of rent payments during the eviction process, which can drag on for a month or longer.
Cash for keys gives you a way to entice your tenants to move and leave the rental property in good condition for money. Because the only legal way to remove tenants is via the eviction process, you might want to consider turning to a cash for keys incentive to get tenants to leave voluntarily. While it may seem expensive and the opposite of a landlord’s goals, getting unwanted tenants out quickly and peacefully can actually cost you less time and money than a formal eviction.
How much does a legal eviction cost?
The average cost of an eviction is $3,500, for all eviction-related expenses, according to a report from TransUnion. The analysis found that eviction-related expenses, which include maintenance fees, lost rent, court costs, filing costs and judgment costs, can reach as high as $10,000.
How long does a legal eviction take?
The formal eviction process is governed by your state’s landlord-tenant laws. An official eviction can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
In most cases, evictions will require notice to the tenant, filing a court action against the tenant, and seeing the eviction through a lengthy eviction process that may require a hearing. Only if a judgment is ruled against your tenant, then can you obtain a writ of possession and work with a sheriff to legally remove the tenant. During that time, you can miss out on rental income and risk property damage from a tenant who has nothing to lose. How’s that cash for keys deal sounding now?
How much money should I offer in a Cash for Keys agreement?
According to the California Department of Real Estate, anecdotal reports from those who have had experience with “cash for keys” programs report that $500 is generally the minimum and $5,000 the maximum amount offered to tenants for their keys.
In some rent-stabilized markets, anecdotal accounts report property owners offering to pay tens of thousands of dollars to tenants in a cash for keys situation.
What if the tenant doesn’t move after a Cash for Keys deal was made?
Make sure that there is a legally enforceable right for you to evict the tenants should they not comply with the written cash for keys agreement. The cash for keys agreement should specify that the tenants understand that failure to comply means they waive their right to a trial and are giving up possession of the property. This way, you can get a writ of possession quickly in case they don’t move out after all. You should speak with an attorney to assist you in drafting up a legally binding cash for keys agreement.
Want something better than a cash for keys deal? The best way to avoid a potential eviction is to screen your tenants and only approve those applicants with a proven record to pay rent on time and follow lease terms. A tenant credit check, criminal background search, eviction history report, and a call to a renter’s previous landlords can help you find the most qualified renters.
Are cash for key deals legal?
It’s important to understand the landlord-tenant laws that pertain to you, your property, and your rental business. You must review your local city and county laws to know if you are legally allowed to make a cash for keys deal or offer a tenant buyout agreement. Landlords and property managers are never allowed to harass their tenants or residents. Your local laws will dictate how cash for keys deals can be offered, how much money can be offered, how discussion about the offer can be handled, and under what circumstances a cash for keys deal is permissible. You should consult a licensed attorney before making a cash for keys offer in order to protect yourself, your property and your tenants.