If you’re a landlord in Houston, you know that evictions are sometimes unavoidable. It’s not a situation any of us want to face, but when a tenant isn’t paying rent or violates the terms of their lease, eviction might be your only option. But you may wonder, “How much does it cost to evict someone in Houston?”
We’ll walk through everything together, so by the end, you’ll know what to expect financially and how to navigate the process efficiently. After all, being prepared is key to minimizing both stress and expense.
Eviction Costs in Houston, Texas
Evicting a tenant in Houston comes with a variety of expenses that rental property owners should be prepared for. The cost of an eviction isn’t just about filing paperwork—it involves multiple steps, each with its own set of potential expenses.
We’ll take a detailed look at what you can expect when going through the eviction process, from start to finish, so you have a clear understanding of how much this legal proceeding can cost.
The Eviction Notice and Initial Costs
The first step in the eviction process is serving an eviction notice to the tenant. In Texas, this usually means providing a three-day notice if the tenant fails to pay rent or violates the lease agreement.
This step doesn’t carry a large cost but sets the stage for the expenses to follow. If the tenant does not vacate the rental unit after receiving the notice, you’ll need to move on to legal proceedings.
Filing Fees and Court Costs
Once you’ve served the notice and the tenant still refuses to comply, the next step is to file an eviction lawsuit. In Houston, the filing fee typically ranges between $100 and $250, depending on the county and the number of tenants involved.
This cost covers court filing fees, but you should be aware that additional court expenses may arise if the case becomes complicated. Whether it’s an uncontested eviction or a drawn-out eviction case, court fees can vary depending on the complexity of the situation.
Attorney Legal Fees and Representation
While you may choose to handle the eviction yourself, many property managers and landlords opt to hire an eviction attorney to navigate the legal proceedings. Attorney fees can range from a flat fee of $500 to as much as $2,500 or more if the case becomes more complex.
Although this adds to the total cost, having legal representation can help you avoid costly mistakes that could result in delays or even prevent the eviction from happening altogether.
Lost Rent and Property Turnover Costs
One of the biggest financial burdens in an eviction is the lost rent. During the eviction proceedings, which can take weeks or months, you may lose out on rental income.
On average, landlords report losing $2,500 to $3,000 in unpaid rent while waiting to regain possession of their rental property. Once the tenant has been evicted, you’ll also need to deal with property turnover costs.
These include cleaning fees, repair costs for any property damage, and preparing the rental unit for new tenants. These costs can add up quickly, often reaching $1,000 to $1,750 or more, depending on the condition of the property after the eviction.
Court Date and Enforcing the Eviction Proceedings
After filing the eviction lawsuit, the court will set a court date for the hearing. If the court sides with you, a judgment will be issued allowing you to regain possession of the rental property.
However, if the tenant refuses to leave after the court judgment, you may need to enlist a law enforcement officer to physically remove the tenant from the property. This step could involve additional fees, such as a service fee for the sheriff’s office, adding to the total cost of the eviction.
Planning for the Total Cost of an Eviction
When you factor in filing fees, attorney fees, lost rent, and property turnover costs, the total cost of an eviction in Houston can easily range from $3,500 to $5,000 or more. The exact amount will depend on whether the eviction is uncontested, how much unpaid rent has accumulated, and the condition of the rental unit after the tenant has been removed. To minimize these costs, thorough tenant screening before signing a lease agreement is essential to avoid dealing with bad tenants in the future.
By understanding each step of the eviction process and planning for potential expenses, you’ll be better prepared to handle any eviction cases that arise with your rental properties.
Contact us today to discuss your eviction needs, and let us help you protect your rental properties. Call us at (832) 831-0833 or schedule an appointment online. Let’s work together to make your eviction process more manageable.
How Does An Eviction Attorney Make the Process More Accurate and Less Costly?
Evicting a tenant can be a stressful and expensive process for rental property owners. From navigating state laws to managing court fees, the eviction process comes with a lot of potential pitfalls.
Hiring an eviction attorney can make a world of difference in not only ensuring the accuracy of the legal steps but also in minimizing the overall eviction costs. Let’s break down how working with an attorney helps streamline the process and avoid costly mistakes.
Mediation Can Save Money For Court Costs and Eviction
Mediation can be a highly effective way for landlords to save money during the eviction process. Instead of going through lengthy court proceedings, which often increase legal fees and court costs, mediation allows both parties to resolve disputes more quickly and amicably.
By working with a neutral third party, landlords and tenants can often reach an agreement without the need for a formal court hearing. This not only reduces the total cost of eviction but also helps avoid the financial burden of missed rent payments and additional court fees.
In many cases, a mediation attorney can bring a quicker resolution, allowing landlords to regain possession of the rental unit and move forward with new tenants sooner.
Ensuring Proper Legal Procedure
Eviction laws in Texas are strict, and failing to follow the correct legal procedure can result in costly delays or even the dismissal of your case.
An eviction attorney ensures that each step of the eviction process is handled correctly, from serving the initial eviction notice to filing court documents. By following the proper legal steps, you avoid errors that could lead to additional court costs, lost time, and the need to restart the process.
Minimizing Court Fees and Legal Costs
An attorney’s experience can help you avoid common legal mistakes that often lead to additional fees. For example, if you serve the eviction notice incorrectly or miss a court deadline, you may end up paying more in court fees or legal costs. An eviction attorney helps ensure that you don’t incur these avoidable expenses.
Their knowledge of the court system allows for smoother court proceedings, which can reduce the total cost of evicting a tenant.
Reducing the Financial Burden of Missed Rent Payments
When a tenant stops paying rent, each missed rent payment adds to the financial burden. An attorney can help expedite the eviction process, allowing you to regain possession of your rental unit sooner and minimize lost rental income.
By handling the eviction swiftly, you reduce the impact of overdue rent and get your property back on the market faster. This is especially important for rental property owners who rely on consistent income from their rental agreements.
Handling Complicated Lease Violations
If your eviction case involves more than non-payment of rent, such as violations of the lease agreement, the process can become even more complicated.
An eviction attorney understands how to present lease violations effectively in court and can help you navigate the additional legal steps required. This reduces the risk of having the case dismissed or delayed, which would add more time and cost to the eviction process.
Protecting Your Rights as a Property Owner
Eviction cases can sometimes lead to disputes about security deposits, property damage, or other costs associated with tenant eviction. An attorney ensures that your rights as a property owner are protected throughout the court proceedings.
They’ll help you recover any unpaid rent or damages caused by the evicted tenant, minimizing your out-of-pocket expenses for repairs or lost income.
Avoiding Future Issues with Tenant Screening
One of the long-term benefits of working with an eviction attorney is their ability to offer advice on tenant screening.
By ensuring that you screen tenants thoroughly before signing any lease agreements, you can prevent future evictions and the associated costs. This proactive approach saves you from dealing with bad tenants, non-payment, and additional legal fees down the road.
Lowering the Overall Eviction Cost
Ultimately, hiring an eviction attorney can lower the total cost of evicting a tenant. While you may incur attorney fees upfront, the savings from avoiding legal mistakes, reducing court costs, and minimizing lost rent often outweigh these expenses.
By streamlining the entire process and ensuring that it’s done right the first time, an attorney helps you regain possession of your rental unit faster and more efficiently.
In the end, having legal support can make evicting a tenant less costly and less stressful, allowing you to focus on maintaining your rental properties and protecting your investment.
Jarrett Law: Bringing Mediation and Legal Eviction Expertise to the Table
At Jarrett Law in Houston, we understand how stressful and overwhelming the eviction process can be for landlords. Whether you’re dealing with non-payment of rent or lease violations, you need a solution that is both legally sound and financially efficient. That’s where we come in.
Our team is committed to helping you navigate the complexities of Texas eviction law, providing both legal expertise and mediation services to save you time, money, and stress.
Expert Guidance Through Every Step of the Eviction Process
From the moment you realize eviction might be necessary, we’re here to guide you. Texas has strict eviction protocols, and missing even one step could result in costly delays. We help you serve the proper eviction notice, file the necessary paperwork, and represent you in court if it comes to that.
We handle every aspect so you can focus on your property and future renters. Our goal is to make sure the entire process is legally compliant and as smooth as possible for you.
Mediation as a Cost-Effective Alternative
Mediation can be a powerful tool in resolving disputes without the need for a drawn-out court battle. We believe in using mediation whenever possible to help you and the tenant reach an agreement quickly and amicably.
This approach not only saves you the financial burden of prolonged court fees and legal costs but also helps preserve relationships with tenants. Mediation offers a quicker resolution, helping you avoid missed rent and get your rental unit back on the market faster.
Protecting Your Long-Term Investment
Our services don’t stop at handling one eviction. We work with you to protect your long-term investment by offering advice on tenant screening and lease agreements to help prevent evictions in the future.
By focusing on proactive legal strategies, we aim to minimize your risks and make the landlord-tenant relationship as smooth as possible. Our experience with Houston’s rental laws means we’re here to help you not just today but for the future of your rental properties.
Contact Us to Protect Your Investment
At Jarrett Law, we’re dedicated to making the eviction process as stress-free and cost-effective as possible. Whether through mediation or legal proceedings, we bring expertise that saves you time, money, and frustration.
Contact us today to discuss your eviction needs, and let us help you protect your rental properties. Call us at (832) 831-0833 or schedule an appointment online. Let’s work together to make your eviction process more manageable.
