Social worker tips: How to prevent eviction

“You are being evicted.”

These are four words that no tenant wants to hear. As social workers at The Center, we want to help our members and vulnerable older adults stay housed. So here are some tips on how renters can avoid receiving an eviction notice and where to get help if you are facing eviction:

• Pay your rent on time every month before buying food or paying bills. Food assistance is available, but if you don’t pay your rent and are evicted, you risk homelessness. Pay your rent with a check or money order (not cash) and get a receipt or set
  up auto-pay.
• If you can’t pay rent on time, talk with your landlord and explain the situation. Tell the landlord that you will pay the rent in full as soon as possible. Don’t ignore it! Work out a payment plan so you can pay the back rent over time while paying your monthly rent going forward.
• Although non-payment of rent is the major reason for eviction, there are other reasons you could be at risk of eviction. These include smoking in a non-smoking building, pet violations, causing damage to the unit and other health and safety violations. Before moving in, read the lease agreement carefully and ask questions if there’s anything you don’t understand. Don’t violate the terms of the lease after moving in. If the lease allows one cat, don’t bring three.

Eviction is a process that doesn’t happen overnight and can often be avoided. If, despite your best efforts, you receive an eviction notice, please come to the social work office as soon as possible so we can talk to you about your options. There are organizations in our region that provide short-term rental assistance and legal advice to people who have received an eviction notice. We can share resources with you that may be able to prevent you from being evicted from your home.

Toni Ameslav, MSW, and Josh Maduell, MSW, are staff social workers at The Center for Active Living.