Deadbeat Tenant - Ideas to encourage payment of owed rent?

[Randall Cornelison]

Hello everyone!

Anyone have a suggested method or methods to encourage a tenant who moved out and still owes rent to pay?  Of course I'd love to call out the goons, but only legal and moral suggestions please. 

Does it do any good to have an attorney send a letter?  Is it difficult to enact wage garnishment?  Other ideas?

Thank you!  Randy

[Karl B.]

Here's how I do it:

1. Sue them in small claims and win

2. Go to the prothonotary's office and get a lien against them

Most liens expire after 4-7 years depending on your local laws - you can renew the lien prior to expiration so it doesn't ever expire.

Why get a lien?

In the event they someday win a judgement (let's say they're in a car accident and receive $10,000 from an insurance company) or someday sell a home (perhaps a parent willed it to them) you (and anyone else who has a lien against them) will be first in line to receive your owed money