All Forum Posts by: Heather Rodden

My tenant did not pay her rent (was due June 15). I contacted her, and her car had broke down..so she bought a new one. She was also moving her dad back to Illinois from Florida. She was on the fence about moving because she wasn’t sure if she could afford it. Anyway she drug me along for 2 weeks. I served her a 5 day notice. She actually moved out and hasn’t been living there when I served it, but had a majority of her belongings there. She moved the majority of it this week, but has some clothes and trash in there. She quit responding to me, and She switched the electricity and water to her apartment. I am calling my attorney Monday to see what is next for me to do. Luckily I’ve been renting 3 properties for about 9 years and this is the first problem that couldn’t be resolved. I know I need to be more business like and less giving. So I have a few questions: 1) What would you have done or would do in my situation? 2) does she still need an eviction, because she hasn’t lived there in about 20-25 days. Our lease voids at 15 days. 3) Can you send someone to collections, or is there a court process for that? She technically is suppose to give 60 days notice of moving. Right now I can’t even show the property because there is clothes that were left and trash everywhere. 4) Do you have a time line you follow for tenants...like rent due the 1st, and what do you do if they don’t pay, and worst case scenario? 4) any other advice?

Does anyone do laminate anymore? I know it is not waterproof, but the installation can be easier, and it doesn’t show through any problems with subflooring (if there are any).

@Caleb Heimsoth yes I agree. Our 7 day grace period is too giving. 

She finally contacted me back. And is  planning on moving out tomorrow. And cleaning it when everything is out. Thankfully she seems to be working with me on this. And I told her I am bringing her a 5 day notice to cover my side of it. She agreed, and I’m going to meet her at her Work. 

Do any of you do a 30 or 60 day notice for vacating/not renewing lease? If they break that, what do you do? 

Thank you @Ryan McKelvey! I’ve realized I’m being too giving with everything. This is a live and learn experience for me. 

when do you charge a late fee? After the grace period? 

Thank you. 

I didn’t realize you could send to collections without going to court. How does that process work?

Also I want to go see the property. And we have to give 24 hour notice. But I haven’t been able to catch her. I sent her messages on messenger, so that I can see when she reads them. And she hasn’t opened any of them. I tried calling with no success as well.

I know I need to tighten things up. I was trying to be understanding for her situation. I’m in Illinois. We have to give a 5 day notice to quit, then can proceed with eviction. My lease now gives 7 days then we charge a 5% late fee. At 15 days of non payment the lease is terminated. And we require 60 days notice of non renewal of lease. 

Here is the back story: we have a tenant that has been decent for about 2 years. I asked her in May if she wanted to renew her lease, she said she did. Her rent was due the 15th, and I messaged her the 22nd (we have a 7 day grace period) to see where rent was. Her car broke down and She is waiting for her dad to get here to see if he can help catch her up financially. Anyway he wasn’t suppose to be on the way way, I messaged her again asking about rent and renewal. She said she was going to have to move, her dad had to go into the hospital on the way here from Florida. In the lease, she is suppose to give me 60 days notice. When she told me she was moving. She said she would pay 2 weeks worth of rent and be out by the 1st. I explaineD the lease is until the 15th, and she Owes for the whole month. Now she will not respond to my messages, and has not been at the property. Tomorrow I am sending her a 5day notice.