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  • 1.  Eviction Issues

    Posted 04-28-2021 09:27 AM
    Un-Signed rental agreements, they happen. We try to audit as frequently as possible, but then it's getting the tenant to come back and sign. Also working on getting TSSA agreements for an acquired property that was not using them. ON TO THE POINT...

    If there is no signed rental agreement, and we move on to eviction we have came across a few issues. 
    1. No SS # to prove the tenant is not active military.
    2. Tenant is avoiding being served, or has moved and we do not have their new address.
    3. Our judges have never dealt with Self Storage Eviction and do not know what to do.

    Has anyone else had experience with eviction tenants in small claims court? We just want the stuff gone to be able to re-rent the unit!!!

    Sincerely,
    A Frustrated Manager​


  • 2.  RE: Eviction Issues

    Posted 04-29-2021 10:59 AM
    We have had success in the past with evictions in several counties across the state.  I always bring the gold book with me and show the judge what is says about not having a signed lease agreement.  

    That being said, this past 8 months we have had a hand full of issues trying to evict tenants because we cannot get them served.  We have one tenant that hasn't paid since February, that we can't serve and the Judge keeps dismissing our case.  

    And we just purchased a small facility, with only 42 units, but the previous owner never had anyone sign a lease, and several tenants only have a name, no address, or phone#, and one of the tenants is deceased.  

    I completely feel your frustrations.  We do what we can to try to get ahold of the tenant and get them in to sign the lease.  We call them, email them if we have alternate or authorized contacts we call them too.  We even snail mail them a lease with a self-addressed stamp for them to mail the signed lease back to us. 


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    Sarah Cole
    Exec Admin Asst/Audit Coordinator/Marketing
    Oakcrest Management, Inc.
    Burleson TX
    (817) 426-5996
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  • 3.  RE: Eviction Issues

    Posted 05-30-2021 11:45 PM
    Hello Sara,

    Feeling your pain. 

    In the past when we take over an acquisition facility...we have run into similar issues. We have come up with a process that works pretty well for us. 

    We start by sending letters to each tenant (you can do the same here with these tenants) with a blank lease attached. The letter informs them that the new lease goes into effect when they make the next payment or max within 30 days for the letter (whichever option happens first). After this point we dont care if they have come in or not to sign a lease. We proceed with lease terms as is. 

    Hope this helps...

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    Raheem Amer
    SVP - Operations
    Devon Self Storage Holdings (US) LLC
    Frisco TX
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