Eviction battle leaves this Texas landlord barred from rental home — and headed towards bankruptcy
That's the problem faced by property owner Akosua Danquah in Iowa Colony, Texas. Her tenants have stopped paying rent and call the police when she tries to check on her home. Though she's trying to get them evicted, the process is time-consuming — and it's driving her toward bankruptcy.
I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10)
Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it
'I can't even come to my home,' Danquah told KHOU-11 News. 'This is the most disheartening thing you can imagine.'
Danquah decided to rent out her home after accepting a job out of state. In January, her tenants stopped paying rent — and haven't paid since — so she gave them a notice of eviction. But after going to her local justice of the peace court to file the eviction, she was told she'd have to wait 30 days.
Now, her tenants have stopped all communication with her, and when she tries to check on her home, they call the police.
In the meantime, Danquah has had to stay with family and friends since she can't afford to pay both her mortgage and her rent out of state without the rental income from her tenants.
She now wishes she had done a background check on the tenants.
'Whenever you take shortcuts when leasing a property, you're taking chances,' Troy Cothran, treasurer for the Houston Association of Realtors, told KHOU-11 News.
'My recommendation is don't take any shortcuts when leasing because it's a business decision that you're doing.'
In the meantime, Danquah has an eviction hearing this month.
Read more: The US stock market's 'fear gauge' has exploded — but this 1 'shockproof' asset is up 14% and helping American retirees stay calm. Here's how to own it ASAP
If you're looking to rent out your property, start by screening potential tenants. That could include a credit check, background check and/or income verification. You can also ask for references from their employer and previous landlord. If they refuse to do so, that may be a red flag.
Make sure you have a lease agreement that clearly outlines the amount due each month and what will happen if tenants don't pay their rent on time (including grace periods and late fees). You may want to consult with a real estate lawyer to help you navigate landlord-tenant laws in your state.
You can also ask for a security deposit (due when the tenant signs the lease), which is typically equal to one or two month's rent. Most states allow landlords to use the security deposit (or a portion of it) to cover unpaid rent, but the rules differ from state to state. This should be outlined in the lease.
If the tenant is late with their rent, reach out with a late rent notice. States have different rules around grace periods. In Texas, for example, landlords aren't required to provide tenants with a grace period (unless they agree to do so in the lease).
If the tenant still doesn't pay, you could follow up with a pay-or-quit notice in which you outline a specific time to pay the overdue rent — or move out. (Make sure you understand local and state laws around eviction procedures.)
If the tenant still fails to comply, you can file for eviction with your local court. If the eviction is successful, you may be able to sue for outstanding rent and associated costs.
While landlord insurance isn't mandatory, it can help to cover financial losses if your tenant doesn't pay their rent. However, if you have a mortgage on the property, you may be required by your lender to take out a landlord insurance policy.
Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how
Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead
Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
27 minutes ago
- The Hill
Trump eyes additional barriers to solar and wind energy
The Trump administration is eyeing additional barriers to the development of solar and wind energy on public lands. In a memo made public late Friday, the administration said that it would seek to block projects that take up a lot of room, calling wind and solar 'highly inefficient uses of Federal land.' The memo said that the administration would 'only permit those energy projects that are the most appropriate land use when compared to a reasonable range of project alternatives.' In doing so, it will put together a report of further actions that are needed to accomplish this goal. 'Gargantuan, unreliable, intermittent energy projects hold America back from achieving U.S. Energy Dominance while weighing heavily on the American taxpayer and environment,' said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum in a written statement. The renewable industry balked at the effort – saying it could have significant impacts on developing wind and solar on public lands. 'Depending on how it's ultimately implemented, it could have serious implications for new projects moving forward,' said Gene Grace, general counsel for the American Clean Power Association, a renewable lobbying group. John Hensley, the organization's senior vice president for Markets and Policy Analysis, also said that while wind and solar projects may be large, that doesn't necessarily mean they're bad for the environment. 'In the case of wind and solar, they do require much larger total project footprints, but the amount of land that's actually disturbed…is a fraction of the total project size,' said Hensley noting that wind in particular is very efficient if you consider land that's actually disturbed rather than the entire size of a wind farm. It's the latest in a long string of actions taken by the Trump administration to hamper wind and solar, including on public lands. President Trump's big beautiful bill cut tax credits for these energy sources. Separate memos issued by the Trump administration said it would consider barring future wind projects and subject wind and solar to an elevated review process, which is likely to slow them down.
Business Insider
28 minutes ago
- Business Insider
China reaffirms zero-tariff access for Ghana despite new US trade tariffs
China's Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Deta, has reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to granting zero-tariff access to products from Ghana and 52 other partner countries. The move, he said, is part of China's broader efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic cooperation across Africa. China commits to granting zero-tariff access to Ghana and 52 partner countries' products. This policy aligns with China's strategy to strengthen African economic and diplomatic relations. China encourages Ghanaian businesses to leverage access to its vast consumer market. His remarks come in the wake of the United States' recent announcement of a 15% tariff on imports from Ghana and other African countries. The US tariffs, announced on 31 July 2025, are set to take effect on 7 August 2025 and are expected to impact a wide range of goods exported to the American market. Ghana-China talks on implementation ongoing Speaking to during the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory (ACCPA) fellowship event in Accra, Ambassador Tong described the zero-tariff policy as mutually beneficial. He confirmed that both countries are currently fine-tuning implementation plans to maximise the benefits. "China is still offering zero tariffs to all 53 countries that have diplomatic ties with China. We believe this policy has proven helpful. It benefits both China and Ghana," Ambassador Tong stated. He added that a framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the initiative has already been signed, and that government officials from both sides are actively working to finalise the modalities. "The two government agencies are currently discussing the detailed arrangement. Both governments are accelerating efforts to determine how to implement the zero-tariff policy," he explained. Huge opportunity for Ghanaian exporters The Chinese Ambassador urged Ghanaian businesses and exporters to seize the opportunity offered by access to China's vast market. "China's market is huge. We are the largest consumer market in the world and are well on our way to becoming the biggest globally. We encourage Ghanaian companies to take advantage of this opportunity and promote your products in China," he said.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
US defence firms scrambling for rare earth minerals after China blocks exports
The US is scrambling to get hold of the rare earth metals needed to make weapons after China slashed its supply to American defence firms. Prices of some rare earths have increased more than 60-fold after Beijing restricted the export of the materials for defence purposes earlier this year, amid a trade war with the US. Beijing controls around 90 per cent of the world's rare metal supply and dominates the production of many other critical minerals, giving the country a 'stranglehold' on the US defence industrial base, experts said. A senior defence industry source told The Telegraph the 'light is turning from yellow to red' when it comes to American companies' ability to source the materials, that are needed for everything from fighter jets and drones, to missile-targeting and defensive satellites. The strain on rare earths has exposed how reliant the US is on Chinese exports for its defence supply chain, giving Beijing leverage at a time of fraught trade discussions between the two rival powers. A spokesman for the China select committee labelled the situation a 'wake-up call' that 'underscores just how dangerous our current dependencies are'. 'The United States cannot afford to have defence supply chains at the mercy of the Chinese Communist Party,' they said. 'Congress and the administration must now urgently work together to identify and mitigate these vulnerabilities before they cost American lives.' 'No quick and easy fix' Michal Sobolick, a senior fellow specialising in United States–China relations at Hudson Institute, said: 'We've traded with this authoritarian, Marxist regime and they now have a stranglehold on our ability to make fighter jets. 'That's dangerous and there is no quick and easy fix for this.' In addition to restrictions on rare earths, since December China has banned exports to the US of germanium, gallium and antimony, which are critical minerals used in the making of bullets and night vision goggles. Some companies have warned of imminent cuts to production unless fresh supplies of minerals arrive soon. On Wednesday, the chief executive of US-based Leonardo DRS said the firm has been forced to tap into its 'safety stock' of germanium. 'In order to sustain timely product deliveries, material flow must improve in the second half [of 2025],' Bill Lynn said on a conference call, according to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). The mineral is used in infrared sensors that guide missiles and other equipment. Two-month delivery delays Drone manufacturers are said to be among the most exposed defence firms as they are often small businesses that do not have the kind of stockpiles of rare earths that larger companies do. 'I can tell you…we talk about this daily and our companies talk about it daily,' Dak Hardwick, the vice-president of international affairs at the Aerospace Industries Association trade group, told the WSJ. Since China introduced export licences for rare earths in April, defence firms have been required to fill out extensive paperwork, including providing sensitive information such as product images, to ensure the material is not used for military purposes, Western buyers told the WSJ. This has led to delivery delays of up to two months, with one drone manufacturing company reporting that its Chinese magnet supplier had demanded drawings of products, a list of buyers and assurances they would not be used for military applications. 'Of course we are not going to provide the Chinese government with that information,' Chris Thompson, the vice-president of global sales for ePropelled, told the Journal. The company builds motors for drones used in the Ukraine conflict. DoD boosting production of minerals Metal importers told the WSJ that Beijing's demands to know what rare earths are being used means that licences are not being approved for traders to stockpile supplies. The department of defence has moved 'at warp speed' in recent months to boost production of critical minerals, according to Dr Gracelin Baskaran, the director of the critical minerals security programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies This included a $400m investment earlier this month in MP Materials, which operates the largest rare earth mine in the Americas. As part of the deal, the company plans to scale its annual magnet manufacturing capacity from 1,000 metric tons in 2025 to 10,000 metric tons over the next decade. Last year, the Pentagon also set up the Critical Minerals Forum, which helps metal miners secure funding for rare earth extraction and enables larger defence firms to purchase the materials directly rather than relying on smaller subsidiaries. 'The modern age is powered by rare earth elements, and if we don't move aggressively to solve this problem, we are always going to be playing catchup,' an industry source said. Mr Sobolick warned that the US has 'sleepwalked into this situation' and that China's dominance of the rare metals supply chain will give them the upper hand in trade negotiations over the next few years. Dr Baskaran said: 'Rare earths have become the most powerful geopolitical leverage and they've become the currency of new geopolitical alliances. 'They continue to be a currency to forge alliances and trade agreements at a time when foreign policy and bilateral cooperation are more complicated than they used to be.' A spokesman from Lockheed Martin, the US aerospace and defence company, said: 'We continuously assess the global rare earth supply chain to ensure access to critical materials that support our customers' missions. Specific questions about the rare earth supply chain will be best addressed by the US government.' A defence official said: 'DoD has invested almost $540m to support the domestic and allied rare earth elements (REE)/critical mineral supply chain. 'DoD is looking forward to continue working with companies across the REE supply chain to ensure that DoD, and the nation, have the secure and resilient supply chains necessary to secure national and economic security for generations to come.' China's foreign ministry was approached for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Sign in to access your portfolio
