Need Help
Hi here is a big lesson learned myself: my tenant has been paying rent on time so I didn't pay close attention. Until last month, we deposited the check and after a month, we got the bank statement saying the check is bounced! So I contacted them and they're saying they can't pay the current month rent either. So there goes my over $2000 rent!
Now we've served the 3 day notice yesterday and will wait till next thursday to evict them. My question is:
1. during this time, can I start marketing the house? or do I have to wait till next thursday?
2. How do we go about collecting their back payment? Do we need to get their work phone no. correct before they leave? what if they don't give it to me? how do we garnish their wages?
Thanks!
Yes you can certainly market the property before your tenant moves out. You can also show the property provided you give whatever notice you are required to give by state law (in Iowa it is 24 hours). The problem here is that the place might be a mess and there is nothing you can do about it now.
You can sue the tenant in small claims court and likely get a judement for the amount of back rent + rent until you get the unit rerented. This doesn't mean you will ever get it but it is my opinion that eventually tenants will pay them off when they move on with their live and move to buy a house or such (assuming you are renting to young folks--I'm in a college town).
I do know there is a certain period of time you must wait before you can request that wages be garnished but I doubt any judge will order the wages garnished for not paying a landlord.
I hope this helps. GOOD LUCK
Hi, it seems you don't think garnishing their wage is a common norm for the back rent. So what is the better way of collecting the money ? they will owe us more than $3000 at the time they have to move out if we evict them. And unfortunately the lease is up so they don't have any rent due for the lease term. Is this a very bad situation? Should i be ready to write off this back payment?
thanks.
I would proceed with the court and get a judgement. Then go back to the court and they can help with different options for collecting the funds.