 Tenant late (by MRS.landlord [IL]) Mar 7, 2016 7:22 AM
 Tenant late (by Colin [CO]) Mar 7, 2016 7:35 AM
Tenant late (by Richard [MI]) Mar 7, 2016 7:35 AM
Tenant late (by Kyle [IN]) Mar 7, 2016 8:08 AM
Tenant late (by JR [ME]) Mar 7, 2016 8:32 AM
Tenant late (by Jeff [UT]) Mar 7, 2016 8:54 AM
Tenant late (by Emily [TX]) Mar 7, 2016 10:02 AM
Tenant late (by Doris [OH]) Mar 7, 2016 10:12 AM
Tenant late (by Lori C [CO]) Mar 7, 2016 12:57 PM
Tenant late (by Vee [OH]) Mar 8, 2016 6:42 AM
Tenant late (by cjl [NY]) Mar 8, 2016 1:35 PM
Tenant late (by cjl [NY]) Mar 8, 2016 1:38 PM
Tenant late (by MRS.landlord [IL]) Posted on: Mar 7, 2016 7:22 AM
Message:
State Specific Question About: ILLINOIS (IL)
Sooo. I have this rental property. I live in the downstairs, and my tenant lives in the upstairs. My tenant has notified me of some serious health problems that have caused them to cut back to part time at work and take unemployment. They are currently awaiting their check from the state, so I told them it would be fine if they paid their rent late, as they has been a good tenant thus far. The tenant has now been in the hospital for a week or so, and is going to miss the second date I had set for them to pay rent. This is all fine and dandy on its own. I figured we could sit down and discuss payment when they are out of the hospital(I have confirmation that they are actually in the hospital).
Today, I found out that they are also not paying their water bill...WHICH IS IN MY NAME. I have been told by my city(very small city) that I have to have the water bill in my name because I own the property, and have never had a problem having it paid on time until now. What am I to do now? I feel like a schmuck because this tenant is having such a rough time, but at the same time I have to lookout for myself and make sure my bills are getting paid. --50.80.xxx.xxx |
Tenant late (by Colin [CO]) Posted on: Mar 7, 2016 7:35 AM
Message:
Serve them a pay or quit and if it makes you feel better tell them that as long as rent and water bill is paid you will not have to take it to next stage. At least this will start the eviction process and you will not be extending your eviction process time and losses.
When I have a good tenant that falls on hard times I also give them contact information on local churches and charities that will make a hardship payment to cover rent. --73.181.xxx.xx |
Tenant late (by Richard [MI]) Posted on: Mar 7, 2016 7:35 AM
Message:
In nearly all cities there are agencies set up to assist people who can't pay their bills. I suggest you work with the tenant and make sure they contact these agencies and apply asap. The agencies can pay utilities, rent, etc. Around most places they just have to call 211 to get help.
I always tell tenants I will gladly work with them as long as they call and work with these agencies to keep bills paid. If the tenant refuses, well, it shows me they have no intention of paying, so it goes straight to eviction. --24.211.xx.xxx |
Tenant late (by Kyle [IN]) Posted on: Mar 7, 2016 8:08 AM
Message:
Tell the tenant you understand they are having a tough time, but you can't cover all their bills for them. You gave an extension and they still did not pay. You now know they aren't paying other bills either. Get the pay or quit notice ready and explain to the tenant you have to proceed with eviction if they do not pay the water bill and the rent. --73.146.xxx.xxx |
Tenant late (by JR [ME]) Posted on: Mar 7, 2016 8:32 AM
Message:
The tenant doesn't hate you, isn't trying to punish you, but he will absolutely try to make his problem your problem. You do not need to allow that. You have to take charge. Not fun, but necessary. I am not my tenants' social worker, either so I do not try to hook them up with social service agencies. A meeting with him is in order, be sympathetic but firm. Your tenant must pay the water bill and rent, or aw shucks, he must go.
How late is the rent? I am slower to evict than many on this board, but if I don't have a SOLID PLAN (not pie in the sky promises) of how the rent will be paid by the 14th day of the month, I move to evict. Have a lawyer do the eviction for you.
If the tenant is as good as you say he is, he will recognize he cannot meet his obligations to you and either figure it a way to pay up promptly or move out. I have found that some tenants turn from good to poor during times of trouble and stress. I wish you the best. --192.159.xxx.xxx |
Tenant late (by Jeff [UT]) Posted on: Mar 7, 2016 8:54 AM
Message:
I agree with everything posted so far. Issue a 3day Pay or Quit notice per your state, immediately. Protect your rights and it will give the resident notice that you are running a business.
One thought that this provokes is that if YOU were in the hospital and couldn't pay the mortgage or any other services that you provide, how understanding would the resident be? Your residents are probably saints, but in 30 years I've never had a resident who would cut me slack on delaying getting something repaired that caused their inconvenience or heaven forbid...money.
For most people, whenever they do something wrong, they get angry about the natural consequence(s). You can expect that reaction. It's part of the business you're in. Take care of yourself first so you can help your family. Be friendly, but not their friends. --166.70.xxx.xxx |
Tenant late (by Emily [TX]) Posted on: Mar 7, 2016 10:02 AM
Message:
^^ This is a good thought. We're always talking about how the mortgage company wouldn't be understanding if we had fallen on hard times (or were in the hospital for that matter) but never how the tenant would almost certainly not be understanding about something we owed them, if the roles were reversed. --71.97.xx.xxx |
Tenant late (by Doris [OH]) Posted on: Mar 7, 2016 10:12 AM
Message:
Something sounds wrong with their story. In Ohio you must be able to work to receive unemployment. If work was available and they quit or reduced hours for health reasons they may not get unemployment. --74.140.xxx.xx |
Tenant late (by Lori C [CO]) Posted on: Mar 7, 2016 12:57 PM
Message:
In Colorado you CAN most certainly work part time and still get unemployment until the unemployment monies run out. For example if you were laid off from a higher paying job and found something, but much less money ---the hours you work are deducted from your unemployment check and you get the reminder monies.
Hard situation, but YOUR mortgage company will not be cutting you any slack when you don't pay your mortgage, sick or not.
--65.114.xxx.xxx |
Tenant late (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: Mar 8, 2016 6:42 AM
Message:
Pay or quit notices have cured more illness than all medical professionals combined, a late payer still can cough at work. --76.188.xxx.xxx |
Tenant late (by cjl [NY]) Posted on: Mar 8, 2016 1:35 PM
Message:
I know it sounds tough and I don't think anyone actually answered you "from IL" BUT - definitely get a demand notice in (often called a Pay or Quit notice, 3 day, etc - depending on your area).
Many times when residents fall into "hard times" they actually will NEED this notice (and in my area, the notice actually has "bring this to your local .... for potential assistance". Now it is up to them.
I realize they are in the hospital and for the most part they most likely MAY have the money "waiting" for them once they get home and if that's the case- GREAT! Then once they are home they can pay you!
Is this a single person that is in the residence or is there someone else that lives there too (like a significant other)? If it's the latter - then they need to step it up and get with you. If it's just the one tenant and they are in the hospital - proceed but keep in mind that it's kind of hard to pay bills when you are in the hospital.
I hope all works out well for all concerned on this. --67.246.xx.xx |
Tenant late (by cjl [NY]) Posted on: Mar 8, 2016 1:38 PM
Message:
As for the water bill - is that monthly or quarterly, etc? If it's monthly - then it makes "sense" that they didn't pay it - kind of hard to do that in their predicament. I understand how it's the owners responsibility. I would pay it but make sure that you include it in your notice (3 day, etc).
If it's quarterly and the water company is JUST telling you now - then this has been going on for a bit - you need to move forward VERY QUICK and just deal with it. Again, pay it but ensure you include it in your monies owed on the notices.
Good luck! --67.246.xx.xx |
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