In 2023, Oklahoma City, OK, had nearly 18,000 eviction filings. Experts forecast those figures will increase this year.
As an OKC landlord, the last thing you want to do is deal with evictions, as they cost money and displace tenants. However, your income is also on the line, so if your tenants break the lease, you may have no choice but to evict them.
In this guide, we'll share insights on the Oklahoma City evictions process, the steps you need to take, and how to prevent future evictions.
Oklahoma City Evictions: The Process
Oklahoma eviction laws require landlords to issue a notice before filing an eviction case. This rule is part of a tenant's eviction rights, which gives them time to rectify issues before they get evicted. The eviction notice requirements depend on why you want to or must evict the renter.
Non-Payment of Rent
If you have a non-paying tenant, you must issue them a 5-day notice called "Notice to Pay or Quit." The renter has five days to pay or move out. Otherwise, you can file an eviction.
Property Damage
If a tenant damages your rental property so severely that it can cause health or safety hazards, you can issue them a 15-day notice. With this, the tenant has ten days to fix the damage. You can file an eviction after the 15th day if they don't.
Emergency Situations
OKC tenants who cause severe property damage, such as fire or flood, may only receive a 24 to 48-hour eviction notice. You can file for an eviction right after.
Illegal or Criminal Activities
Oklahoma City landlords can issue a 24-hour notice to tenants who commit illegal or criminal activities. They may do so even if these acts didn't occur on your property (e.g., drug-related activities near the rental). You can immediately file an eviction case after the notice expires.
The Summons
You can go to court if your tenant hasn't done anything to correct the issue after receiving an eviction notice. You must file for a "summons," which tells you and your tenant the date and location of the eviction hearing. Please attend this, as this is when the court will give its ruling.
Minimizing Landlord Eviction Risks
One of the most crucial landlord eviction tips you should always abide by is to conduct comprehensive tenant screening. It allows you to gauge the qualifications of your prospective renters. It lets you spot red flags in their credit, income, rental, and criminal backgrounds.
You can also further protect yourself and your investments with eviction protection plans. They can cover some of the costs of having to evict tenants. The plan provider, a property management company, will also handle the entire process on your behalf.
Protect Your OKC Properties From Evictions
Evictions can cost a lot of money and time, causing your rental income to take a massive hit. So, do your best to avoid them by screening tenants thoroughly.
At PMI OKCity Local, we aim to help Oklahoma City landlords like you find and retain the best tenants and reduce the risks of evictions. Our comprehensive tenant screening process and eviction rental plans allow us to achieve this goal.
So, contact us today! We'll happily answer your questions about eviction protection and even give you a free property evaluation.
