HELP - What to do when tenant skips out on lease?

[Michael Lee]

Hello, I'm a brand new member and this is my first post on the forum.  I'd appreciate anyone's advice/guidance on what my options are regarding a tenant who has skipped out on the last few months of the lease.  I manage mostly college rentals in SC and this particular unit is a 1BR studio apt.  The total amount outstanding is right around $1,700.  Luckily, the amount of money is not so significant that we're too fired up about it but I mostly want help for the future if/when it is one of our larger, more expensive rentals.  Do I need to hire an attorney and get a judgment filed against the tenant? Send his information to a collections agency and/or credit reporting institution? Anything relevant info to get the ball rolling would be great.  Thanks!