We need to evict a tenant who is not paying the rent. What can we do?

Peter Betts
Colchester (Essex)

A. The first thing which needs to be done is to file a claim for eviction for non-payment as soon as possible. This will ensure that he does not delay payment again, as then the eviction would be definite by means of a fresh new claim.

According to Spanish law, as a tenant, you are entitled pay up to the date of the sentence of the eviction procedure, waiving the rights of the landlord. However, this may only be done once, as then the paperwork will be ready to be filed again and the tenant will not have the possibility of paying up again. If the tenant has cut down an avocado tree, then that issue is handled separately, claiming damages and resorting to the deposit you should have.

The first step you should make is to pay those cheques into a bank account in order for you to have proof that the tenant has not paid, whether by not handing over money or any payment instrument or by doing so but without funds. This is extremely important as you need to prove you have tried to cash the cheques but without success.

Give a warning to the bank that you will not accept any charges on bounced cheques, as there is an ongoing illegal practice where banks charge a percentage to the beneficiary of a cheque or bill of exchange or promissory note which is bounced back by the issuing bank for lack of funds.

We are able to assist anywhere in Spain through our network of lawyers, but you need to act quickly as otherwise your annoying tenant will remain in your property for long.

Update: An article on the subject can be found on How to Evict a Tenant who is not Paying the Rent