Updated almost 10 years ago on . Most recent reply
Lean on a Tenant to Pay Up
If you have a tenant who is paid up on rent, but doesn't pay for other fees (storage, parking, late fees, whatever), how hard do you go after them? I'm in a situation like this and the property is profitable, and the rent is paid on time but the tenant essentially owes me $325 for back payment on a storage unit with the potential to get even further behind. Its not part of their rent, it was an add-on. The storage unit is on the same property as the rental unit and its empty. But its in their lease that they will pay the extra fee for a year.
I can't seize the property in the storage unit, because its empty. I could go to court, but that feels like a waste of my time and effort for a property that is already profitable. I do not have a very commanding presence, and while I talk sternly to tenants if required, I feel like I have no leverage in this situation because the tenants will keep ignoring me unless I "do" something, not just talk.
Making matters worse is the fact that they are dirt poor, and my sympathy meter kicks in. I have to beat it back a lot and remember that this is a business.
Thoughts? Or is there a method for leaning on people to cough up the cash they owe without having to take legal action?
Most Popular Reply
If you have a contract in writing and signed, $325 out of next months rent goes first towards storage fee. Send notice regarding past due rent amount followed by a formal 3 day notice to pay or quit.
Option 2; continue to subsidize