I am a property manager of an apartment complex. A resident, one I believe, says they put their rent in our?

Question

drop box. They say it was cash, so there is no way to track it. Needless to say it is gone. What is fair for me to do about their rent. And how do I catch the staff member who took it?

Let it be noted we make it our policy to never except cash, only checks credit cards, or money orders.

Answer 1

This happened to me once and it was a scam. Like the others I demand checks or cash during business hours and I always make them sign a cash receipt.

I'm sorry for your troubles and its a hard lesson.

Best to you, you have a tough job.

Answer 2

A drop box? Was it at least locked and hopefully only 1 person has the key to the box?

Honestly, as much as you may think your tenant is being honest, first evaluate the probability that it was taken by an employee. If internal controls are in place that would make it next to impossible for an employee to steal a cash payment, then you can probably assume that the tenant is lying.

Honestly, a drop box though? Have tenants pay by check or money order, not cash. Cash is too easy to steal by others and too easy for a tenant to say "well, I put it in the drop box, you must've lost it".

Answer 3

First and foremost tell all your tenants not to pay in cash if dropping the money in the box. Cash should be hand delivered and a receipt issued on the spot.
Next, little point in going out hunting for a crook in the office if you dont even know what actually happened. If the tenant is an honest guy and has demonstrated that more than once before then you may have to w/off the debt and learn a lesson for yourself and him, albiet an expensive lesson.

Answer 4

I agree with the first two answers. Rent should never be paid in cash. There should always be a back up or way of verifying it, even it that renter has to buy a money order. I mean seriously you don't pay for anything cash unless you are actually handing it to someone and getting a receipt.

As far as what to do now? Well it depends. Just how much do you trust this guy? With your life? If you honestly think he put the money in, I would try to think of the one person that works in the office you suspect the most. Ask indirect questions. Find out who's having money problems as of late. Find out who has a history of being untrustworthy, and/or mismanaging money. If you can pinpoint one suspect, talk to that person about what happened. Say, we think we know who did it, but if that person puts it back we won't fire him or her. It has happened in the past where people were stupid enough to put the money back, thinking they were busted. If they do put it back, of course fire that person anyway. It's at your discretion as to how to deal with it from there, no more cash payments, that's for sure.

Answer 5

Sorry but you may be out of luck. Hopefully you will change how you collect the rent. Say by insisting on checks/money orders or that they hand the cash to a person and give out receipts.

Answer 6

If you believe them and they normally pay with cash maybe consider setting up a hidden camera a put cash through it again then watch the tape. I don't know what to say about making them pay again or not I don't know the rules there. But I assure you if someone took it once they will take it again!!

Answer 7

unless your company is in the dark ages u and tenant know all payments must be in Check or Money order, no cash accepted.
the reason is obvious.
u don't catch the staff member unless u want to loss ur job.
u check with upper management and get in writing from them an agreement to accept the tenant's payment late without penalty.
u work with tenant to recieve check or money order for current due rent.
u and tenant are going to pay 'stupid taxes'.
sorry life creates vacumns .

Answer 8

I will try a different opinion, while yes with proper notice a landlord can enter the property in a non-emergency situation of any reason with proper notice. But I believe, though check something like the ca attorney general web site or talk to a lawyer before you do something, that in CA there is a list of reason to enter a unit for non-emergency and I do not believe inspection only is a reason general maintenance yes But what are you going to do about it?

Answer 9

They put cash in a drop box ? Oh di mama. These people deserve this problem...

But seriously, my guess is you are being scammed. If they truly WERE dumb enough to put cash into a drop box, they deserve to pay twice.

Answer 10

Wow. I am a property manager too.
I require all my tenants to pay by check.
Your tenant might be lying to you. I know there is no way to prove it but something sounds fishy. Let me know what happens.