How to Collect Rent from a Tenant that Vanished?

Question

So, I've been fortunate over the years and have never had a tenant vanish. But, this past week, I encountered my first. Sad thing is there was no warning. This tenant had paid like clock-work for over a year. Then, he lost his job and got a month behind in rent. He was communicating with me and then went radio silent. Apparently, he moved out of state and did not leave a forwarding address. So, any suggestions on potentially using a collection agency? I would go to small claims court except, from what I understand, I have to have a forwarding address? I would like to figure out a way to have this hit his credit report so other landlords don't have to encounter this with him in future. Would appreciate any advice or ideas!

Jay Hinrichs · Answer

waste of your time and energy.. its the cost of doing business..

Ron Fletcher · Answer

@John Kunick

If he didn’t trash the unit and his deposit covered the last months rent

Consider yourself lucky and move on. You will spend too much time, money and energy

With almost no chance of getting your money.

Levi T. · Answer

Do the legwork yourself to hunt them down with a skip tracer, summons to court, and go round and round in this process.. or kick it to a collection company for a percent of the amount collected, Hunter Warfield does this, we use them:

https://www.hunterwarfield.com/

It can take years for them to get the money. IMO some money is worth more than none. If you don’t want to do the skip trace and court route, or the collections route, just walk away..

John Kunick · Answer

Levi, thanks. I have reached out to Hunter Warfield and will see how they respond. We are okay if we don't collect much, but our bigger goal is to have a negative rating of the tenant to try to avoid future negative situations for other landlords.

Anthony Wick · Answer

@John Kunick

How much money we talking here? Ask yourself if it’s really worth it. Divide the amount likely to be collected by number of hours to collect it. You’ll probably find you’re making minimum wage for your time.

John Kunick · Answer

What good would sending mail to him be if it is simply forwarded? How would I be able to get a small claims court to declare a judgment or get a collection agency to collect?

Dennis M. · Answer

Agree with jay . Move on ..your money left with the tenant

Matthew Paul · Answer

No you send it to his last address of record , your rental . he should have his mail sent to his new location

How to Collect Rent from a Tenant that Vanished?

How to Collect Rent from a Tenant that Vanished?

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