My PM owns us thousands of dollars in rent, what can I do?

[Zoe Lee]

Our PM owns us about 6 months of rent. According to contract, he needs to pay the balance 30 days after the end of contract (we ended it with him due to tenants complaining about negligence). Now the deadline is here, still no money. Every time we called he said he'll pay. But nothing.

What options do we have at this point?

Should I hire a lawyer, or take him to court by ourselves?

Thanks,

Very upset...