My rent court experience .

[Matthew Paul]

I have had it easy until now , tenants pay or move out costing me very little , I havent had to file in rent court , I would normaly tape a pay or quit on the door and a check would come .    

So today I sat in rent court , I was glad I wasnt first so I could get a feel how it worked . The Judge came in , started right away , first it was the apartment complexes , 10 cases done in less than 10 minutes . Then came the individual landlords , They moved quick . Out of the first 17 cases only 2 tenants showed up .  The Judge asked the landlords " How much is due " then asked the tenant "Is this is correct ?"  Each and every time  Judgement for the landlord . He even explained to one tenant that the landlord uses the security deposit for damages , not rent and within 45 days she will get a letter showing the deductions . Told another that they have up until the sheriff shows up to have cash to stop the eviction . My case came up , the tenant wasnt there , 2 minutes later I had the judgement. In 4 business days I get to file for the Writ of Possession .

The best case was a commercial tenant that owed  $ 27,000 for 2 months back rent plus fees . The landlord won . Both had lawyers it went on for 15 minutes . 

[Russell Brazil]

I think every investor should go sit in housing court for a day or two...and maybe even visit multiple housing courts to see how different areas treat the same issues. It is an invaluable education...and it is FREE!