Investors, landlords—don’t cancel me, but I’ve gotta say it. You’re out here spreading this eviction myth like it’s gospel, and I’m tired of hearing it.
You keep telling people it takes months and thousands of dollars to evict a tenant.
That. Is. Not. True.
Not here. Not in Central Pennsylvania.
Here’s What It Actually Looks Like
Let’s say rent isn’t paid in full by May 1st. By mid-June, if nothing’s come in, the tenant is already out, and the landlord has the unit back.
That’s six weeks. Start to finish. That’s the whole dang thing.
And what’s the cost?
Roughly $400.
Here’s the breakdown:
Filing a landlord-tenant complaint: $150–$200. You get a court date, a judgment, and if the tenant doesn’t appeal...
Filing for an order of possession: another $150–$200. The judge signs it, the constable serves it, and boom—your unit is back.
So Why Do So Many Landlords Think It Takes Forever?
Honestly? Because they drag their feet.
They don’t file when rent is late. They don’t enforce late fees. They listen to tenants say, “I’ll have it in two weeks,” and they keep believing it month after month.
By the time they finally do file, they’re frustrated, emotional, and desperate. And that’s when they start making mistakes—filing too early, missing a step, or not serving papers properly.
So yeah, it ends up taking months and costing thousands—but not because the court made it that way. You did.
It’s Not the System. It’s Your System.
The truth is, the eviction process isn’t the problem. The average landlord process is the problem.
Too many landlords let feelings lead. They delay decisions. They don’t treat this like a business.
And then they blame the court.
How to Avoid the Eviction Drama
You’ve got two clear paths:
Hire a property manager who actually knows how to handle this (hi, that’s me).
Run your rental like a business. Enforce the lease. Charge late fees. File when it’s time. Stop putting your emotions in charge.
This is all fixable. That’s why I talk about it. Not to scare you—but to snap you out of the landlord sob story cycle and help you start protecting your investment.
In Central PA, it takes about six weeks and $400 to evict a non-paying tenant. That’s it. That’s the truth. The myth is what’s hurting your business.
I’m PM Jen, the—landlord educator, real estate investor, and your favorite straight-talker in the buy-and-hold game. Hold It With PM Jen exists to help real estate investors protect their assets, grow their cash flow, and stop spinning their wheels.
Our mission is simple: help you hold properties smarter, longer, and with way less bullshit. Whether you're new to real estate or knee-deep in it, I’m here to help you hold strong and grow big.