All Forum Posts by: Taz Patel

My own home in Florida got struck by lightning.

Lost several home appliances and my front yard and drive way have a big hole.

Does anyone know of a good Public claims adjuster in PalmBeach County

The HOA was already made aware of this situation. I still don’t have the contact information for the new landlord but I will also mail them a letter because I don’t want this deadbeat to play the same game with the other LL. The guy care about his credit because he signed up for rent credit reporting on the eRentPayment website . So I am hoping that will ding his credit too. Since it seems like a simple case of lease breaking I am tempted to get a court judgement and see how he responds There is a good chance of merely filing the court paper work might push this guy to pay up

My lease has an early termination clause for $2800 , that’s 2 months of rent In Florida if someone abandons the property like he did they need to pay the fine. I have no notice for him terminating his lease and he had refused to answer any phone calls.

Greeting BP members, My tenant left the condo breaking the lease without telling me. Basically his check bounced and when I tried to get in touch he text me that keys are in condo. I ran to find the condo empty. Was shocked to find out that he’s moved to a town house within the SAME community . So I have his new address for any court summons . I have his security deposit which he will forefit for breaking the lease. Can I take him to small claims court to get the last months rent ? Thanks for responding

Greeting BP members, My tenant left the condo breaking the lease without telling me. Basically his check bounced and when I tried to get in touch he text me that keys are in condo. I ran to find the condo empty. Was shocked to find out that he’s moved to a town house within the SAME community . So I have his new address for any court summons . I have his security deposit which he will forefit for breaking the lease. Can I take him to small claims court to get the last months rent ? Thanks for responding

Update!

I meet the guy for 5mins at the location we agreed on Monday.

Before I gave him a check for $1200 , I made him sign a settlement agreement 

Posting this here for other BiggerPockets members if you ever find yourselves in this situation:

"Move out money/refund of security deposit

This settlement is made and entered into this     , between  (Landlord ) and  (Tenant) pertaining to the security deposit for the premises located at 

Both parties have acted in good faith to settle this claim and this agreement represents the full and final payment of this claim

We have come to the following agreement:

1)Landlord gave the tenant $1200 (One thousand two hundred dollars) in form of a personal check no __. This is the FULL and FINAL Payment and this means now all claims against the security deposit are PAID in FULL.

2)Tenants shall only cash this check if they agree to the terms of this agreement.

3)This check represents the full final refund of money to be returned by owner to the tenants at the end of this lease.

4)Below you will find details of your security deposit refund.

Security Deposit +$2,200

Less Deduction -$1000

Balance Due: +$1,200

5)Now that’s this debt is paid. I do not expect to hear from you except to confirm that account is paid. I will consider any other contact from you or your attorney as harassment and will take whatever legal action is necessary to protect myself

The Tenant signing this settlement hereby state that all questions about this settlement have been answered, that they fully understand all the provisions of the agreement and the obligations and responsibilities of each party, as spelled out herein.

Tenant’s signature Date"

While some here may see this as letting the tenant taking advantage of Landlord, I agree but I weighed the pros and cons. Swallowed my pride and cut the losses. 

My intention was to end this, learn and then move on with my life. 

The best advice I got from the forum was :

1) Stop negotiating, Was my fault to try negotiate. @Nichole W…thanks for pointing that out on our call.

If you are in this mess…please stop negotiating , it will only aggravate the situation

2) Stop communicating by phone and texts.  

FYI……..On the front of check I wrote "FULL and FINAL Payment" …and then ….on the back where he endorsed I wrote " Payment in FULL for security deposit return for lease @Address".

He cashed the check today….I can sleep better now.

Sounds good Nicole W. Sent him a request one more time over texts . Would it be okay to send him a personal check or a money order is better ? I don't think he even knows my full real name on our lease because he keeps asking for a copy of the lease which i think he has misplaced and my full legal name. I want to use that to my advantage and was thinking sending a filled out money order would be the best bet rather than expose my full details . This way he might make a typo on his notice or address . Or it may not even matter . My thought is giving him the $1200 from $2200 reduces my liability and all the more less incentive for a real attorney to get involved . I hope he cashes the funds . Even if they don't i could still be on better standing with the judge to show my intent to give him money and only deduct for damages he caused . Not mailing him any money till now does make me look bad in court given the circumstances .

I agree with what some members posted here. Its crazy i would meet a guy trying to sue me to give a package for someone else that was staying illegally in my unit . When said like that it does sound wierd. Gives him an oppurtunity to see my weakness and body language. To call his bluff i need to just make him my offer and then wait to be served by court.

Shaun Patterson , a good lawyer opinion might help me . You can send me the details . I want to post my email here but not sure if this is against any forum rules .

Sadly the first notice didn't have the legal mumbo jumbo per florida statues. I was unsure how much money would cover the damage . Also i wrote about his illegal subletting . So if they open it in court it wont stand the test of law. This is why i don't want this to go to the judge . I have been reading. Mediation is mandatory in small claims court. So worst case a trip to court and i agree to give him the SD. Unless he decides to screw me over and refuses my full offer under some crazy scheme to get money for his lawyer. What's scrary is some judges could award twice the security $4400 yikes