Raleigh, NC · Member since 2016 · 17 posts · 3 votes
I am a newbie landlord with only 2 units to date. My new tenant in my second unit is now delinquent for the month of July. I contacted him and he says he mailed his rent check and it has already been deducted from his account. I told him I have not received the check and if it was sent and cashed then it was cashed fraudulently. He is in the process of notifying his bank about the situation. What is the best way to handle this? Not sure if I should say it's not my problem and he is now delinquent so he owes the late fee as well as the rent that needs to be paid immediately? Should wait to see if he's able to be reimbursed from his bank for a fraudulent transaction? Should I waive the late fee if it does turn out to be a legitimate claim to a fraudulent transaction? Any advice from seasoned landlords is appreciated.
This is an easy one in this day and age. He needs to send you screenshots of the deduction as well as the front and back of the check by 430pm today or you will be sending the required notice to start the eviction process
IT is not necessary for you to require proof from the tenant as to what he did or did not due. It is irrelevant as to whether he has proof the bank did or did not process the check. If you did not get it, for what ever reason, it is late and he pays. If there is a problem with the bank it is the tenants responsibility to chase his bank for compensation.
Landlords do not need proof as to what happened or why it is late. All that matters is that it is late and the responsibility always falls back on the tenant. No detective work required.
Cold be I lived in a building once where property manager kept asking for my cellphone number when he had the home phone(never gave it) I was told that they had not received my rent money order I paid it again.(they did this twice),I later had a trace one on money orders and found they were cashed by the company, I let them know immediately. The company told they were confused,didnt know what I was talking about, bottom line I got a lawyer and I was issued a credit for the money orders cashed ,so if this person had always paid rent then this happened I would give benefit of doubt,and have him/her pay it again if the check/money order turns up then give them a credit.