How to remind a tenant to pay rent?

Question

Hi all, the tenant never had an issue and paid on time for 2.5 years. Now its the 5th and the rent was due on the 1st, with a 7 day grace period and $30 penalty thereafter.

I need help wording a friendly reminder. I dont want to give too much leeway, but given her history, I think I want to be friendly but professional. What should I text (email, call?  ) her?

Al Bryant · Answer

Great to see the responses here. Hoping I have this problem soon...as I have 0 properties today :-D I'm working on it though.

Michael Ablan · Answer

@Dirk S. -  I stopped worrying about damaging their feelings a long time ago.  The sooner you do, the better off you'll be.

Send a friendly message informing them that you haven't received the rent and that you're sending this friendly reminder so that they can avoid the late fees that will occur tomorrow.

This usually does the trick

Maya Roberts · Answer

@Dirk S., that's unfortunate to hear your tenant might be having a mental health crisis.  I would tread carefully and take the side of caution.

Make sure you continue on the standard late notice and eviction notice process.  Don't put it on hold while you hope she responds.  This should protect you in case you do need to evict.

Hopefully they get the help they deserve and get back to being good tenants.  I know some here believe business only, but they are humans afterall and a little compassion can go a long way in somebody's life who is struggling.

Marysue Connelly · Answer

I would also text:  Hi. everything OK.  I haven't received rent this month.

In future, I offer a $20 a month discount for either direct deposit- a pull from their acct. Or all 12 pre-written checks up front.  I love to have money in hand.  Of course I never cash before the 1st.

Charles Carillo · Answer

@Dirk S.

Drop them a text message and see if they respond. Depending on the response, you can gauge your next action (call, knock on the door etc.).

Dirk S. · Answer

I will continue to try - family members on FB, co-signer. But I am also sending  a friendly, yet stern and crystal clear warning that I will be forced to go ahead with the 14 day notice to pay or quit, followed by eviction, as per NY law. Going to follow that to the letter, no delay.

I doubt I will get an answer. Going the extra mile here due to past good behavior, but really, it is disappointing I cant get a call back. Even if you are in serious problems, why not answer urgent calls and emails, given that you will be losing your home?

Marc Winter · Answer

In PA we have an 'abandoned property notice' which we would certainly use in a case like yours.  Start the eviction process--if they show up again you can always stop the clock.  If they've actually disappeared then at least you won't have lost any more time.

Life is strange; people are stranger; tenants--they take the cake.

Herndon Davis · Answer

Be prepared to evict with great big red notice on the door.  And also be prepared to go through with it.

Dirk S. · Answer

UPDATE: The plot thickens. I had reached out to the tenant via all available means (text, phone, email, and recently FB message). All failed. Today on the 8th the super and I gained access to the apartment. We found it in a big mess, stuff everywhere. Personal valuables like TV and most of the personal belongings seem to be still there. No vandalism, thank god. We found signs that the tenant has mental health issues, e.g. a bottle of antidepressant. The super has last seen them  2 weeks ago, and noted that the tenant was not wearing regular work clothes, as they normally do in the morning, waiting to catch a ride to work.

I don't want to speculate here but some sort of crisis is possible. At this point I am in a jam, I respect people's privacy but I have an ongoing business problem here. Should I

a) try to find out more what is going on, (I already reached out to a family member listed on their profile), including going to the cops?

b) go straight to the collection process, which I am not even sure what to do, small claims court, eviction notice etc?

c) ...?

Thomas Dougherty · Answer

That's why I use Tellus for my rent collection now. I always felt awkward when I asked a tenant to pay their rent before I use Tellus. It gives my tenant a reminder before payday and also automatically charges late fee when they pay late. Avoid a lot of embarrassing situations and now I don't need to think about how should I ask for rent.

How to remind a tenant to pay rent?

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