Tenant run out of the house and left rent unpaid
29 Replies
Alexandre Marques dos Santos
Rental Property Investor
posted about 2 months ago
I have a tenant that run out of my property leaving a debt of 2 months of rent unpaid.
She communicate she left in the end of the month, and left property dirty with loads of stuff in the garage.
Contacting her we agreed she would pay me back those rentals, and the deposit would be used to cover the break in contract ( she was in the house for 3 months- cost me the broker fee), plus cleaning, etc...
Now its clear she is avoiding me, and will not pay. I wanna get her to the court ( have all communications) , but need her address.
Is there any way i can get her address? Anyone have an idea on how to find it ( phone number, location service or else?). I just want to be able to fill a claim so i get her credit score hurt. I tried to contact credit agencies to report, but i dont have scale to do that. Any sugestion on how to report that to her credit?
Thanks
Lynnette E.
Rental Property Investor from Tennessee
replied about 2 months ago
Sometimes the post office will give you a forwarding address.
Tracy Streich
Real Estate Broker from Tulsa- OKC Oklahoma
replied about 2 months ago
Send it to collections and move on. You will likely never get the money but the bright side is she left. During this no eviction crap she could have stayed and just kept not paying.
Karl B.
Rental Property Investor from Columbia, MO
replied about 2 months ago
Do this: https://www.landlordology.com/...
"Using the last known address of your deadbeat tenant (which is probably your rental property), mail a letter addressed to your old tenant at that address. Before mailing, write on the envelope, “Address Service Requested” as such:
(image of what the addressed letter should look like - the photo is on the link above)
In doing so, your letter will be forwarded to your old tenant’s new address, and the post office will let you know what that new address is. This method works only if the person left a forwarding address, however.
If you do get the new address, send a certified letter with a copy of the judgment against him or her, and demand payment."
After you take the tenant to court and win, if she doesn't pay up, go to the prothonotary and get a lien. That way her credit will tank and if she ever wins a settlement or sells a house you'll receive the money. Though a lien must be renewed every few years. I got a lien against a tenant and it cost be under $15 to file and it lasts for 5 years - some local municipalities have liens that last for longer before needing renewed.
Jay Hinrichs
Real Estate Broker from Lake Oswego OR Summerlin, NV
replied about 2 months ago
Andrew R.
from UK
replied about 2 months ago
In my experience it's best to chalk it up to experience and move-on. If there's no realistic prospect of success (i.e. you still won't get your money) then all you're doing is trying to make yourself feel better by punishing them which seldom works. As the oft quoted phrase goes 'revenge is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die'.
Matt M.
Contractor from Easton, PA
replied about 2 months ago
Not worth the time and effort. Be glad they are gone, fix it up and rent again.
Alexandre Marques dos Santos
Rental Property Investor
replied about 2 months ago
Thank you, will try with tbem
Alexandre Marques dos Santos
Rental Property Investor
replied about 2 months ago
The worst is to know that, while i tried to help, offering time to pay, and discuss openly the situation, she played me. And the next landlord will have no clue on how bad tenant she is.
Alexandre Marques dos Santos
Rental Property Investor
replied about 2 months ago
Very useful. Thanks a lot