Has the first of the month come and gone without a rent check arriving in the mail from your tenant? Or did it bounce when you tried to deposit it into your account? Making sure you get paid is the most important aspect of being a landlord. It also can be the most headache-inducing. Sometimes flukes happen, so try not to jump to conclusions, especially if this is the tenant’s first offense. Having said that, here are a few suggestions for how to handle a problem tenant who’s continually late on rent:
- Check with your bank about setting up an automatic deposit for the rent on a specified day every month.
- Switch to Cash Only or Money Order situation, where the tenant is required to show you the money up front instead of signing off on a check that may or may not have the funds behind it.
- Cash the check as soon as you get it. Don’t let it sit on your desk for days or weeks. Many people live paycheck to paycheck, and a tenant’s checking account might fluctuate significantly from the first of the month to the end of the month. They have written you a check when they have the money in the bank, so take it while it’s there.
If an otherwise favorable tenant is unwilling or hesitant to work with you to ensure your prompt payment, they are a problem tenant and probably don’t want them renting from you for much longer. Document everything, including dates for when rent arrived and any communication you had with them in an attempt to get paid. You’ll need proof of the problem in order to begin an eviction process.
Did you know previous eviction notices don’t show up on credit reports? Don’t be duped into thinking a credit check is all you need to be assured you don’t have a problem tenant. Get a professional tenant screening!
Tags: credit check, credit reports, landlord, previous eviction notices, problem tenant, tenant screening
