Short answer. Start with the signed lease, a rent ledger, any notice you served, and your messages with the tenant. If the property is owned by an LLC, add the entity’s records. Missing items do not stop you from calling, but having these ready lets an attorney spot problems on the first review.
The core documents
- The signed lease, with every addendum, renewal, and set of house rules. Include all pages.
- A rent ledger showing what was charged, what was paid, and when. Separate rent from late fees and other charges.
- Any notice you have already served, plus proof of how and when it was delivered, such as photographs of posting.
- Messages with the tenant: texts, emails, and letters, especially about payments, repairs, or move-out.
Details about the tenant and the property
- The full legal names of every adult on the lease and every adult occupant
- The full address, including the unit number
- Whether the tenant is currently serving in the military, which affects how a default can be sought
- Whether any rent is paid through a housing assistance program, which can change notice requirements
- Security deposit records, including the amount and where it is held
If the property is owned by an LLC or other entity
- The entity’s exact legal name and its state registration record
- Who is authorized to act for it, such as the operating agreement or a manager’s authorization
- Any property management agreement
- Property records showing the entity owns the property
The name on the lease, the notice, and the court filing should match. See LLC landlords: can the owner handle an eviction?
For a lease violation or damage
- Photographs or video, with dates if you have them
- Move-in and move-out condition records
- Repair estimates, invoices, and receipts
- Complaints from neighbors or other tenants, if relevant
Example (hypothetical). A landlord sends a lease naming two tenants and a three-day notice addressed to only one of them. Catching that on a first review means the notice can be corrected before a case is filed, rather than discovered after a filing is challenged.
Practical next steps
Gather what you have
Phone photos of paper documents are fine to start.
Write a short timeline
Dates of missed payments, notices, and conversations, in order.
Hold off on new steps
Do not serve another notice, accept payments, or change the locks until you have advice.
For what happens next, see residential evictions and the Hillsborough County process.