When a tenant refuses to pay rent, who is primarily responsible for evicting the tenant?

In situations where a tenant refuses to pay rent, the primary responsibility for initiating the eviction process typically falls to the property owner. The property owner holds the legal title to the property and has the authority to enforce lease terms, including taking action to evict a tenant who is in breach of the lease by failing to pay rent.

While a property manager can act on behalf of the property owner and may handle day-to-day management issues, including serving notices or even filing eviction actions, they do so under the authority granted by the owner. Ultimately, the property owner must be involved in the eviction process since they retain ownership and have the ultimate decision-making power regarding the property.

The tenant is not responsible for evicting themselves; rather, their action of not paying rent may trigger the eviction process. The Department of Licensing generally does not have any role in tenant eviction processes, as their focus is on regulatory matters concerning business practices. Thus, the correct understanding of this scenario emphasizes the property owner's responsibility, while the role of the property manager is supportive and dependent on the owner's wishes and legal authority.