how far do you let your tenant get behind in rent?

[Jimmy S.]

How far do you let your tenants get behind in rent before filing a complaint with the courts and proceeding with eviction. Also do you have last months rent as well as security deposit or only security?

Also how much does it cost you in your county to file a complaint?  My county costs $160 if you do it yourself.

[JD Martin]

Originally posted by @Steven J.:

@Jimmy S. you'd have to check your local and state guidelines. Where i'm at the move in fee cannot exceed one months rent and you cannot charge a move in fee and a last months rent at the same time. The only way it can exceed that one month amount is if you require a pet deposit (which also has its limits) when they bring in pets.

To file a complaint its only $50 I think but after all costs are done its about $700 I believe. I've only had to do one so far.

@JD Martin I could be wrong on this but according to fair housing it is illegal to demand first and deposit for one person and first and last and deposit for another if the credit isn't exactly perfect. Its my understanding that if they meet your minimum threshold then they get in with the same terms as any other tenant. Personally, I'd be happy to 'work' with the applicants to get them in but I don't want to run the risk of that fair housing issue. Granted, I'm not sure how they would police it but I'm just very cautious and risk averse.

 Technically, we require first/last/deposit from everyone. We just end up waiving or returning the last month for qualified applicants who sign the lease paperwork and prepare payment. Our lease technically requires all. We also do first qualified in, first qualified out (with numbered applications) so that no one could likely successfully claim discrimination. Have good standards and a good system and it will protect you in most situations.