Evicting delinquent tenants who owe rent

LANDLORDS - EVICTING TENANTS FOR NON-PAYMENT OF RENT
                         By Kenneth A. Vercammen  Esq
 This article will briefly explore certain remedies and recommendations to landlords. Unlike big apartment complexes, many landlords in New Jersey do not have full time management companies handling the collection of rent. Yet all landlords should handle their payments as a business, just as big corporate landlords. More info at http://www.njlaws.com/landlords-eviciting_tenants_for_nonpayment.htm

WRITTEN LEASE
 A  written lease is recommended for all rentals even for a month to month. Your lease should specifically require that the tenant pay the landlord's attorney's fees if they fail to pay rent or breach the lease in any way. If a written lease does not provide for attorneys fees, the court cannot award attorneys fees. In addition, your lease should provide in writing for re-renting cost if the tenant breaches the lease. Many leases also provide for late fees. If you do not have a written lease, have your attorney draft one!

Eviction: NON-PAYMENT OF RENT
 If your tenant fails to pay and you want to evict the tenant, a Tenancy Summons plus an Eviction Complaint must be filed in the Superior Court's Special Civil Part, Tenancy Division.  The court-filing fee is was increased to $50 plus mileage. Different attorneys charge different fees depending upon the amount of work to be done. Your attorney can prepare the mandatory complaint and summons. Our minimum fee is $1,500, up front. Our consult fee is minimum $150.
 The Court Constable is required to personally serve the tenant with a copy of the complaint. The court clerk will fill out the date and time for hearing on the summons, which also will be served on the tenant.
 You and your attorney should appear on the date for hearing. If the tenant appears, parties sometimes work out a payment plan for rent with a stipulation of settlement and stay of eviction. The landlord and tenant usually agree if all rent is not paid according to the schedule, the court is directed to issue a warrant for possession.

FAILURE OF TENANT TO APPEAR
 If the tenant fails to appear by the second call, you can pay an additional fee for a warrant of removal. This is obtained at the Special Civil Part Clerk, Tenancy Section Office. After waiting three days, the constable is given the warrant to serve at the tenant's property. If the tenant still fails to move, arrangements can be made with the constable and locksmith to physically remove the tenants and change locks.