RENT COLLECTION COST
Collecting Back Rent isn’t free.
Be sure you have a clause in your lease that states you have the right to add collection costs and or collection attorney fees.
Some cases or states say these charges may be regulated or not permitted.
Most do and the limit is a “standard or customary charge” So you can’t go and charge your tenant $10 million to collect back rent.
SUGGESTIONS ON GETTING PAID YOUR RENT
1. Perform a credit check on the tenant prior to them moving in.
– See our Tenant Screening Service. Free landlord setup.
– Have the tenant complete the Rental Application. Get it here, free.
2. Get references and verify them
3. Sign a lease with the tenant. Collect social security number and driver license information, make a copy of each and put in a secure location to avoid theft of data.
These steps may not guarantee you the tenant will pay you, but if you have to proceed to evict or late try to collect back rent, the more information you have on the tenant, the easier it will be trace them down and MAYBE collect the rent you are due
IF YOU NEED TO COLLECT BACK RENT
• contact your lawyer.
• if your rent is subsidized, check whether the subsidy program will help (Section 8 etc)
• use a collection agency.
Did you use a Tenant Screening Service?
If so, contact them and see if they offer any services and if you can report the tenant.
BE SURE YOU CAN VERIFY the amount owed.
NON-PAYMENT OF RENT
Begin eviction proceedings immediately. ALWAYS charge and collect a LATE FEE when and where permissible by state law.
The landlord must inform the tenant in writing that full rent is due by a specific deadline or the lease will be terminated.
BE PREPARED NEXT TIME
Use our tenant screening service powered by TransUnion/SmartMove
SEARCH FOR A COLLECTION ATTORNEY OR COLLECTION AGENCY
Exmaples “New York Collection agency”, “Collect Back Rent”