All Forum Posts by: Sendil Thangavelu
Sendil Thangavelu has started 21 posts and replied 43 times.
Post: Tenant Defaulted on Court-Settled Eviction Agreement (Ocala, FL)
- Posts 44
- Votes 9
Quote from @JD Martin:
File it yourself in small claims court. Get a judgement, likely a default one since they probably won't show, then get the judgement enforced. You'll spend a lot of time and effort especially if they jump jobs or move, just so you are clear, and you may not see a dime.
Thanks JD Martin.
Post: Tenant Defaulted on Court-Settled Eviction Agreement (Ocala, FL)
- Posts 44
- Votes 9
Quote from @Berenger Greer:
Sorry you’re dealing with that. Since you already have a court-approved settlement agreement, your next step is to turn that into something enforceable like a judgment if it isn’t already. In Florida, once you have a judgment, you can record it, garnish wages, levy bank accounts, and in some cases place liens on property. If the settlement was just an agreement and not entered as a judgment, you may have to go back to court to get it converted.
Once you have a judgment, you don’t actually need a collection agency that only works with property managers. You can either hire a collections attorney who works on a contingency or hourly basis, or you can handle some of the enforcement yourself through the court system. Many Florida landlords hire local “creditors’ rights” or “collections” attorneys for this exact reason, they can handle wage garnishment paperwork, bank levies, and judgment liens.
As for getting it on their credit report, most individual landlords can’t directly report to bureaus. A collections attorney or agency with reporting capabilities can do that for you. Some landlords also sell the debt to a collections company for pennies on the dollar just to get it reported.
If you want to keep the full amount, I’d start by calling attorneys in Marion County who handle post-judgment enforcement. Search for “Florida judgment collection attorney” and specifically ask if they do wage garnishment and bank levies. If you can garnish, Florida allows you to take up to 25% of disposable income unless the debtor qualifies for certain exemptions.
Thanks @Berenger Greer for the details. Very helpful. I will look up " Florida judgment collection attorney"
Post: Tenant Defaulted on Court-Settled Eviction Agreement (Ocala, FL)
- Posts 44
- Votes 9
Hello,
In December 2024 I had to evict a tenant in Ocala, FL by going to court. This tenant settled in court with me where the he signed an agreement with me to the effect that he would pay 2 months rent that is due as well as the legal cost in 16 monthly installments. The tenant vacated after we reach the settlement in court and in turn, I dismissed the eviction per the court agreement . However the tenant has not paid a single installment till date (over the past 7 months). I have emailed them multiple times and of course there is no response.
Using this court approved settlement document that stipulates payment from tenant (former tenant), I reached out to multiple collection agencies and none of them are willing to take it. They say, they only work with corporates and property managers . The tenant also ruined my property and this cost about $2,000 in repair charges before I could put the property back on market. I really would like to go after this tenant and recover at least court stipulated payments (two moths rent and legal costs). In addition I have proof of damages in pictures and I have sent notices via email about damage costs of $2000 that I would like to recover from them.
I was nothing but kind to this tenant throughout the process however the tenant created a lot of problems. At this point I want to go after this tenant and garnish their wages or at least have an entry on their credit file that they did not pay a court settled order. What are my options here. Do you know of any lawyer or any agency that can help me with collection?
Thank you in advance for your pointers and suggestions
Sendil
Post: Collection-court judgement for unpaid rent + Damages to property by evicted tenant
- Posts 44
- Votes 9
Hello,
I'm a landlord seeking advice on enforcing a court judgment for unpaid rent ($4,000) against a former tenant I recently evicted (Property is in Ocala, Florida). I'm finding that many collection agencies primarily work with companies, and as an individual landlord, I'm looking for recommendations for collection agencies or lawyers in Florida who work with individuals for debt collection. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Separately, the tenant also caused approximately $1,800 in damages to my rental property in Ocala, Florida. I have photographic evidence and email communication with the tenant regarding these damages. of course, the evicted tenant never responded to my claims email. What is the best way to pursue recovering these damage costs? Should I consider small claims court in Florida? Can I pursue this judgment myself, or would legal representation be necessary? Any guidance on this process would be very helpful.
Thanks in advance.
Sendil
Post: Cost segregation study for tax reduction
- Posts 44
- Votes 9
Quote from @Sean Graham:
Quote from @Jeff Roth:
Hi Sendil from Gainesville, Fl-
You are looking for someone to help you with a cost segregation study to save on your taxes.
I have many physician clients buying short term rentals and using this strategy for example and I recommend they use Maven Cost Segregation Tax Advisors.
They are active on Bigger Pockets. They also have 17 5-star reviews on their Google business profile.
They are located in Sterling Heights, Michigan but can help anywhere.
Ask for Sean Graham. He can answer all your questions.
To Your Success!
@Jeff Roth thank you for the shoutout!
@Sendil Thangavelu I'd be happy to connect with you. I'd recommend detailed engineering.
Side note, here is a podcast episode I recently did with BP: Avoid Paying Taxes (Legally) with THIS Rental Tax Loophole
Hi Sean, I have emailed you. Let us talk on the phone. Ty!
Post: Cost segregation study for tax reduction
- Posts 44
- Votes 9
Quote from @Jeff Roth:
Hi Sendil from Gainesville, Fl-
You are looking for someone to help you with a cost segregation study to save on your taxes.
I have many physician clients buying short term rentals and using this strategy for example and I recommend they use Maven Cost Segregation Tax Advisors.
They are active on Bigger Pockets. They also have 17 5-star reviews on their Google business profile.
They are located in Sterling Heights, Michigan but can help anywhere.
Ask for Sean Graham. He can answer all your questions.
To Your Success!
Post: Cost segregation study for tax reduction
- Posts 44
- Votes 9
Hello,
Writing to learn form other investors about their experience in cost segregation for Florida rental property:
1) Any firms you can recommend, based on your experience?
2) What are some gotchas if any in using cost segregation?
3) Did you use Max engineered or residual method for cost segregation?
4) Any other information that you can share about your experience using Cost segregation
Thanks in advance
Sendil
Post: Water Softner for rental property ($3000 versus Budget friendly Home depot models)
- Posts 44
- Votes 9
I have a property in Ocala, Florida with well water. Testing revealed 21 grains per gallon of hardness. I've received quotes for professionally installed water softeners around $3,000. I'm wondering if a more budget-friendly option, like the RHEEM water softener (42,000 Grain Preferred Plus Water Softener for Hard Water and Iron Reduction) available at Home Depot for around $500, would be sufficient.
Has anyone had experience with similar DIY water softeners? Any insights or advice you can share would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
Post: Well water and sediment issue , Ocala, FL
- Posts 44
- Votes 9
Hello,
I have a rental property in Ocala. Water from the well has sediments and water forms a yellow lining in toilet. There is a filtration (basic ) in thee garage that came with the house when I purchased, but the filter gets rusty in about 5 days. Can anyone recommend good companies to root cause and implement solution to fix this issue? Thank you in advance
Sendil
Post: Tenant Eviction case--Ocala, FL
- Posts 44
- Votes 9
Thanks all for great suggestions and advice. Much appreciate it. I have an attorney working on the eviction. Thanks again!