Tenant not paying rent

[Joseph Ret]

Hi,

I am looking for a bit of advice and guidance about a tenant who owes several months in back rent. I have already taken them to small claims court and we have agreed that they would pay the entirety in full by the end of this month, however, I have found out that they will not have the promised money. I am already thinking of evicting them next month but I was wondering in the meantime any possible way of getting the rent that is owed. I was thinking because I have the papers from the small claims court that I could file a lien but I am having trouble understanding how to file for something like that. If I could get any suggestions or advice it would really be helpful.

Thank you!

[Thomas S.]

You should have filed for eviction when he missed his first rent payment and before you took him to small claims. Without the eviction you have no leverage to collect unless your state allows you to garnish wages.

At this point in time you are never going to receive another dime and need to no go through the eviction process to cut your losses and get control back of your property.