Rent 11 days late, what should i do ?

[Rashee D.]

My tenant always pays rent late but usually before the 4th. This month the tenant still has not paid rent or reached out & today’s the 11th. I already informed the tenant that there will be a late fee than she told me that she was out of the country until the 14th. That was false because i live downstairs and i have seen her come in and out of the apartment on my camera.This is the first time this has happened and i want to avoid this from happening again, my tenants don’t know me as the landlord i act as the middle man/property manager What should i do ?

[Joe Splitrock]

Originally posted by @Rashee D.:

My tenant always pays rent late but usually before the 4th. This month the tenant still has not paid rent or reached out & today’s the 11th. I already informed the tenant that there will be a late fee than she told me that she was out of the country until the 14th. That was false because i live downstairs and i have seen her come in and out of the apartment on my camera.This is the first time this has happened and i want to avoid this from happening again, my tenants don’t know me as the landlord i act as the middle man/property manager What should i do ?

 You are getting mucked down in unimportant details. It doesn't matter if she is in the country or not. Rent is due on the 1st and it is the 11th, so it is 10 days late. Consult a local attorney. Serve her with a pay or quit notice, which is the first step towards eviction. Use a process server. They will try to serve in person, but they can also post on the door and sign an affidavit of delivery. If necessary, proceed to eviction. In the future, you want to post notice sooner. 

Don't listen to excuses and try to untangle truth from fiction. I would also advise that you disclose to tenants that you are the owner and landlord/manager of the property. Hiding that from tenants is a big mistake and comes back to bite you later. If you end up in eviction court, your name is listed on there as the owner. How do you expect honesty from your tenant if you are not being honest with them?