What can you do if a former tenant owes you money but you don't have a security deposit to take it out of?

Question

Can I at least trash his credit rating or something like that?

Answer 1

It's very doubtful that you could do anything to his credit rating unless you have a specific agreement that allowed you to do so. Sue first, then when you win the judgment will go on his credit report. Two birds down with one stone.

Once you get the judgment, depending on what state you are in, you can attach wages, etc. Hopefully you have the former tenant's social security number from his application so you can do a skip trace and find his most current address. Again, to do this you would need permission to access his credit record which should be signed by the former tenant that you are allowed to run credit reports for the means of collection or trace purposes. If you don't have that wording you could be breaking the law.

As a landlord you have to learn which losses to take. Collecting debts can be a long arduous process. You can always claim the loss on your taxes and write it off. After that however, you can't take any money from the tenant.

Good luck.

Answer 2

confident, you would be required to pay for all smart damages & cleansing, if the owner makes a decision to ask. Your state regulation determines how this occurs. often, your landlord has 30 or 40 5 days from the tip of the contract to end the maintenance/cleansing and latest you with the bill. the owner would not would desire to come to a decision to the fees or restore products for the period of the walkthrough. in case you go away the artwork for the owner, she or he's below no legal duty to save for fees to get the artwork achieved. and because you would be paying, the owner frequently selects an outstanding provider that would respond promptly. this would look like nickle and dime to you, yet to the owner it is expedient to get the condominium back on the marketplace. Google your state + "tenant regulation" and you will discover your solutions. Why no longer ask your landlord to stroll in the time of the place of abode with you right this moment and element out the failings you would be charged for in the event that they at the instant are not fastened in 2 months. then you definitely can handle them till now shifting. Your place of abode must be "pass-in" sparkling. which ability abode windows, carpet, partitions, oven, kitchen, bathing room--all of it--is sparkling and sparkling. There must be no glaring injury--holes, broken products, burned mild bulbs, unremoveable stains. No excuses, the two. examining your question, i'm getting the sensation you and your husband are sloppy housekeepers. Get administration of your newborn, supply up making a large number, and sparkling up the finished place thoroughly. you could hire human beings to do the artwork. Or, your landlord can hire them. the two way, in case you have a grimy place of abode, the money will come from you. First, the deposit would be used, then you definitely will get carry of a bill for the overage.

Answer 3

Kick yourself for not getting a security deposit.

No, you shouldn't trash his credit report. Anything that appears spiteful or malicious will harm you and could even get you fined or arrested. Not worth the satisfaction.

If you can find your former tenant, take him to small claims court for the unpaid rent. You will need proof of what he did and did not pay, and when, plus dates when he left, and documentation.

Answer 4

Sue the tenant in Small Claims court and get a judgment.

Even if you cannot collect, you can report the judgment to the three credit bureaus and leave a black mark on their credit.

http://www.aoausa.com/SECURE/mrLdebtreportingservice.asp

Since it is a landlord/tenant debt, it can help future landlord's deny them a rental as well.

Answer 5

You file a small claims court action for everything which is owed to you, including the costs of the small claims action. Once you get a judgment, you can use that further to garnish wages, place liens on properties, or other means to collect.

This is a daily occurrence in the world of landlords.

Answer 6

I wouldn't turn it over to a collection agency first. They will take a large % fee to collect it. Instead, take them to small claims court.The filing process is simple and costs are minimal. If you win and the tenant doesn't pay, you can do an asset search and attach his bank account.

Answer 7

get a deposit next time no matter what the rental amount (what ever monthly rent, deposit should be)

you can take them to court and get a judgment and put on there credit.
but if you go to court make sure you have good records
invoices of work done pictures, etc...
good luck

Answer 8

Sue in small claims court

Answer 9

Try collection agency first, then sue.