Out of country tenants not paying rent! HELP

[Alex Hogle]

These tenants are from Saudi Arabia and are here for college at UTEP. I have two tenants in El Paso, Tx renting a home from me. They owe just under $2k not having paid rent on the first. They have dodged me for the past week and a half. I live in Tampa, Fl and cannot go to the house. I do have a realtor trying to sell my house, and he has helped generously dealing with small issues with tenants. I am sending them a Notice to Quit tomorrow either pay in three days or get out. If I take them to small claims (which I’m sure that’s where this is headed) can they still leave the country if they have court date? Can I contact the embassy? Do I have any leverage? Thanks!

[Greg H.]

The reality in Texas is that you have only a slim chance to collect on a judgment and even slimmer chance to collect on someone you does not permanently reside in the US

Focus on what is important now which is possession of the property. Make sure you send the notice properly. Being out of state, overnight mail requiring a signature is probably best or by certified and regular mail

File after the expiration of the 3 days. Who is going to represent you in court?  Virtually anyone can represent you now in Texas

Hopefully they will just leave and you can move forward