How Do I Report Deliquents To The Credit Bureaus
What do I have to do to report money owed me by former tenants to the credit bureaus. I am currently going thru my first eviction and the former tenants owe me 1 1/2 months rent plus almost $10,000 in damages to my rental property. The lease was signed by 2 individules, one is no longer working and the other has a minimal paying job. I will most likely not be able to collect anything but I at lease want this reoported on the credit report. Do i have to seek a judgement in court to have thios done ?
Yikes! What they destroy to create $10K in damages? [ Edited by d_random on Date 11/10/2006 ]
Jeeze, thats terrible, why do you think they were hell-bent on destroying your property? Was there an ongoing conflict with these tenants?
[ Edited by d_random on Date 11/10/2006 ]
http://****This URL Not allowed****.com/html/resreport_intro.html
I have experience a very similiar situation. A few years ago, I moved in what looked like a good tenant with good job. About six months later, payments started coming late then not at all. Payed tenant a visit and found that wife and kids left. Tenant all cracked out and lost his job. Filed for eviction and two months later (takes 2-3 months in this city to get an eviction) with 3 months of arrears I got him out.. only to find that he tore the kitchen cabs off the walls, punched holes in about every wall and door in the house, took a knife and cut every wire in the furnace and burned holes in the carpeting. With rental arrears and damage I estimated $10k plus in damages also.
Filed a judgment and won by default (tenant never showed). I tried for years tracking him down to garnish, but his credit report went cold. A few years later I was in court evicting another tenant when who was sitting across from the aisle but my ex-tenants ex-wife. I pulled her out in the hallway and threatened to file a suit against her (since her name was on the lease). She explained to me that her husband went nuts and committed suicide and produced a death certificate a few days later. Consequently, no $$$ -- but many lessons.
I have collected on a couple of other tenants who I won judgements for.. on a couple of years ago, I received a check from a credit bureau that I submitted the juegement to. They collected and sent me 1/2 of their collection. So, you might collect... but most likely will not. My thoughts are that I want their malicousness on record for other Landlords TO BEWARE!
Try this http://www.thelpa.com/
Thanks for the reply...The Landlord Protection Agency (thelpa) is a great website all landlords should know about.
I would at least get a judgement in district court for all the damages and back rent. You can turn this over to an agency or collections attorney, and at least stand a chance of getting some money back.
I include language in my leases that adds collection fees and intrest to any money owed, which is legal in my state. However, law varies greatly from state to state, so consult local council.
I loved the late rent excuses on www.thelpa.com!