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Updated 6 days ago on . Most recent reply
Tenant behind on Rent (Missouri)
Hello everyone....
My tenant is currently behind on rent. May and June payments are over due. He has had a history of making partial payments throughout the month. Up until May, he was making payments in full including the late payment before the month ended, however in small chunks.
However, now he is a full month behind, including renter's insurance being canceled recently and trash service was reinstated by me for Q1/Q2 . They mentioned delay in paycheck due to job change. But this is 2nd time in less than 6 months for change in job. The question is , should i give them more time or send the formal notice demanding rent and providing a deadline. This means an eviction if they are unable to pay by the deadline.
What has been your experience for eviction. Will it end up costing me more time and hassle ? Thinking about options. Should i ask if the tenant wants to find a room-mate that could be added to the lease with additional rent... not sure how to proceed.
I have been reminding them regularly about rent payments through the rental property management app.
thank you so much for your support
Most Popular Reply
#3 Managing Your Property Contributor
If they've been behind for a while, they aren't going to catch up. Tell them they need to find a new place to live and let them know they are better off if they leave rather than you having to go through an eviction. I've had tenants who are late with rent occasionally by a few days, but they let me know in advance. Others who are constantly late end up being given notice and leaving (I'm 2 for 2 on that). It is one thing to work with tenants that are open and respectful (eg can I pay on the 1st and 15th as that corresponds to when I am paid), but not with tenants who are always late.
As soon as a tenant misses a payment, you let them know they have X days to pay it and what happens if they don't.
Hopefully they leave on their own. Yes evictions cost money, but how much are you losing in rent (and paying in other bills) because they aren't paying rent. If they skip one month and are out, you have their deposit, but even that may not cover it.