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Updated over 8 years ago, 05/16/2016
EFT/Echeck issues. Block tenant from tenant website?
Hey BP'ers, another "what to do" situation. Tried to search for similar forum post before posting but didn't come up with anything. When tenants make an EFT/Echeck payment Buildium/Forte apply a 3 day hold period and weekends can extend it to 5 days. So It may be about 3-6 days before I know if the payment is going to be reversed or actually go through successfully. I have a tenant that I think is using this to his advantage. He didn't pay rent on the 1st so I gave them a 7 day notice on the 2nd. he texted me saying he received the notice and would be paying asap. My response was that it would behoove him to pay by the 9th as I would have to go to court to file for eviction on the 10th. On the 9th he made an Echeck payment.. so i hesitated to go to the court and file the next day. on the 12th late(about 9:30pm) I got the email from buildium saying that it was reversed due to NSF. Then on the 13th he made another Echeck payment. This payment is still pending.. and will likely bounce(this will be the 3rd bounced echeck in their 3 months of residency.. wait no.. 4th one lol) Have not filed in court yet, will probably go tomorrow.
In my lease, the only method of payment accepted is through the tenant website(echeck/debt/cc). However I did accept cash once after the first NSF echeck payment with clear communication to tenant that this would be the one and only time.( I know I know.. cash.. not good but I'm working with a shoestring budget at the moment).
I'm wondering if I should mail them a certified letter stating that I am blocking their access to the tenant website due to abusing the hold days and tell them they will need to send a certified check to my PO box on or before the 1st of the month. I don't want to be in limbo about wether to file in court or not while their echeck that will likely bounce is still processing. I know i should just go file, but that's 150 bucks im trying not to spend.