Rent Not Paid By Due DateResolving Challenging Tenant ScenariosUltimate Nomad Checklist
Ex. Rent is due on the 1st. If received on the 1st you will only owe the discounted rate. If rent is received after the 1st but prior to the 5th the $50 additional rent is due. For everyday after the 5th that rent is not received you will incur an additional $10/day.
Accepted forms of payment include: certified funds, personal checks, and deposits into Landlord account at Best Bank.
It also saves you the time and hassle of having to track them down to find out why they have not paid rent and may even result in some leniency on your part regarding fees (if this is their first late payment and they are otherwise good tenants).
- Thank the tenant & let them know you will check again in the morning
- Check the account the next morning to verify rent is there
- Verify that the date on the deposit slip matches the rent due date
- If actually deposited after the due date let them know they owe the late fee of $50
- Confirm with the tenant to let them know the rent was received
- Have them deposit or deliver rent to you prior to the 5th of the month
- Let them know they owe the extra $50
- Confirm with the tenant to let them know the rent was received
- If it arrives by the 5th confirm you received it but let them know they owe the extra $50 since you did not receive it by the 1st of the month
- Confirm how the tenant plans to pay the additional $50. Separate check, deposit or if they'll include it in the next month's rent payment
If you choose to waive the fee make sure to let them know they will be charged the $50 if rent is late again, regardless of the reason.
- They can setup automatic payments from their bank to your bank for the first of the month
- Tenants can mail checks as far in advance as they want and you will not cash them until the 1st of the month
Write out the payment plan and have your tenant sign it to document the arrangement. Do not accept a payment plan that drags out past the 10th or so as your tenant will likely have trouble paying next month's rent by the 1st.
We do not recommend accepting payment after the 10th of the month. Any later than that and the tenant may find it difficult to come up with next month's rent by the first.
If the tenant reached out to you in advance to let you know their situation you may want to factor that into your decision as it is a show of good faith on their part.
If the tenant reached out to you in advance to let you know their situation rather than wait for you to call them you may want to factor that into your decision as it is a show of good faith on their part.
If the tenant will have trouble paying rent for the foreseeable future try to get them out of the property in a prompt but fair manner so as to minimize damage to the property.
Hire an attorney or serve them the 3 day Pay or Quit notice.
If you are serving the notice yourself:
- Post the notice on the door if the tenant is not home
- Send a copy by First Class Mail
- Send a copy by certified mail
If the tenant does not pay in full within the 3 days, hire an attorney to handle the eviction.
Landlord and tenant will have a chance to tell their side of the situation. Often tenants do not show up to these and the landlord "wins" by default.
Most tenants are gone before the Sheriff comes but not all. If they are not, the Sheriff will oversee the tenant's move out and you will re-take possession.
Do not forgot about any side doors and make sure to re-set any garage door openers.
Additional Challenging Tenant Scenarios
Have another tenant challenge? Check out these other checklists.
More posts: Tenant Scenario