So some of my ex-deadbeats are paying towards their judgements.

Yay for me!

I turn everything over to collections. I never expect to collect, I just want them out so I can work on making better decisions for the next tenant.

Just got a payment report from 21JAN to 20FEB. Still small amounts, but at least something is coming in and the bad Ts are reminded of what happened.

My state allows 8% interest. This report had one garnishment and two people making cash payments on their own. I like to look at what is owed and what they have paid thus far.

One ex was on SSI so I really didn't plan on getting anything from her. I was looking at her account. She paid a whopping $25 during that time. She didn't get anything counted towards the principle. The amount she owes is still $300 more than the original judgement amount. Obviously I'm not going to contact her and explain. She did me wrong and she will most likely give up the feeble attempt at payment sooner than later.

I did not get anything from another deadbeat that started making small payments after a couple years of nothing. Pretty sure she was getting married and wanting to buy a house. Maybe they split up?

Either way I got just at $300 that I didn't expect. So I am happy for that.

I have a follow up question for the board on my 2022 taxes related to this topic.

I sold a property in 2021, but in 2022 received a payment on a judgement about 9 months later in a different tax year. How does the board report these incomes? Since I do both schedule Es and a schedule C, I was going to just place it on my schedule C.

I'm thinking that if it was from an overdue payment of an owner-financed purchase, I would put it on schedule C.

If it was unpaid rent, put it on schedule E.

I've had two tenants go to the court and pay thir judgements in full in the last two years. I receive informed mail thru USPS and a picture of my mail comes thru supposedly for that day. I was so excited I called the court to find out why I was getting a check.

for us we don't care how much or how often it is a reminder each week or month of what they did to their LL.

Yay for you! It warms the heart to see LLs standing up for what they are owed and getting paid.

I too have a tenant that left owing around $1,900 in rent, late fees, and court costs. The collector caught up and got a garnishment in place. I'm getting $48/month. Interest on the judgment is 9%. At this rate, she might be paid off in 2-3 years. I'll be $1300 ahead after collection fees.

My effort expended? Zero hours: zero minutes: zero seconds. All I did was ask my attorney to be sure to get a money judgment.

Ask and ye shall (sometimes) receive. Do not ask, and ye definitely shall not receive.

sid imagine how much ahead you would be if you learned how to collect your own debt? We are able to collect the same % as the collection people-- WHY? because we have to spend as much time collecting as they did-- plus 15 % interest.

Debts that were 3500 zoo to 8K.

That's awesome!!!

Do you just file a suit at small claims court for say late fees, missed future rent ( if they break lease), cleaning fees and damages?

What if they moved out and never gave you the new address? what address do you put in the filing? Do you still put the rental address and expect it to be forwarded in the mail?

Can you use their email address ( the lease says they consent to receive notice via email)

What is a good collecting agency to use? ( what do I need to provide, like job info, SSN etc?) I have never done this but I am in the process of an eviction suit, will need it after it is over.

Congrats zero!

"Every little bit counts" said the old woman as she weed into the ocean.

Lisa,

Not sure how your area works but for me it is fairly easy.

Typically it is because of an eviction. So at the second hearing, which is for damages, I present everything that is owed. Back rent, late fees, lost rent, cleaning costs, repair costs and anything else that might pop up.

I get a judgement against the deadbeat tenant. They give their new address (usually fake) so it is all on the record as such. If no address given I let my collections people start looking for them. I have all the pertinent info about the person on the application. SSN, DOB, last known employer, emergency contacts, etc.

In my area I have to use a lawyer since I am an LLC. That used to bother me as I have the time to do it all but in reality I pay them and forget about it. More money out, but less hassle. Plus the bonus is I stop thinking about the deadbeat and what they did... until I collect money from them.

Interesting about using email. I am not sure if that would count around here but I will check into it. I have a good contact at the court house I can probably ask.

If it is not an eviction but I am seeking damages and such I just turn it over to the collection agency (who is now owned by my attorney).

I have done this with success as well. Still has to go to court if they refuse, but again it's all about training... and maybe a little revenge.

Thanks Brad!

Necro Post Update

Got a letter from the courts about a deadbeat I am collecting on. Called the lawyer and was told she is asking for a decrease in garnishment.

Wow, can't imagine that. It is up to the judge. I can go if I want, but probably won't help. The lawyer never accepts it until the judge makes him. I asked the lawyer to remind the judge to look at the disgusting condition she left the place in.

Will see what happens. If she does get a reduction in what they take it will mean she isn't paying as much on the interest.

Debt was 1700. Got check from court for 4600.00. Included interest collection and expenses.

Judge allowed the deadbeat to take wage garnishment. Turns out she was doing it on her own before.

She gets $61 per week taken out. I get $60 and her company charges her the one dollar for the service.

She owes a little more than 5k to me. I get 8% interest. She is going to be paying forever on this.

Oh and when I went to check her case online I saw that she already got evicted from another place since she was asked to leave mine.

Just got another deadbeat check at the post office today. Three payers.

One was the above mentioned who changed her garnishments. This is from before that so I actually got some money this time around.

The other two are from people that were not garnishable years back. One was from two years ago, the other was from seven years back.

One paid a whopping $75 for the month of May. Her interest ate it all up. Judgement was for $3819, she still owes $4134.

Maybe once or twice in the beginning of this career I offered a buyout.

Lawyer suggested it since it was close to tax time and the deadbeat was going to get a big check back per usual. At that time I had someone else representing me. The deadbeat didn't make the payment. Not a surprise.

Another time it was brought up by a tenant. I agreed if the tenant could get the money back to the courthouse within an hour. They admitted they couldn't do that and we proceeded with the regularly scheduled eviction.

I have sent collections to people without court. Most of the time they deny everything and you end up going to court anyhow. Extra time but not extra money spent.

Just got a check from the collections agency for $338. Not big numbers I know, but I didn't expect any of it when I filed.

Only two people this time. One was the non-garnishable who is paying $25 and it is all eaten up by interest.

The other is the deadbeat that went back to court to get the garnishment lowered. Maybe she is working OT because the numbers are still up there as to what she is paying. Over the last four payments she lost $31.79 in interest. She keeps this up she will get the judgement paid off but we will still have collected a bit extra on her.

Got another small check for three deadbeats.

One is paying down the debt by a whopping $60 a week. At least she is paying, and she is paying more than the interest charges. Still owes 4.7k. So without interest that would be a payoff in six and a half years. I collect 8% interest but lose 1/3 to the collection agency. Still happy that she is paying.

The other two are my non-garnishables from years back. Both paid $50 for the month. Both lost more than that to interest. They will never pay it off. Didn't expect anything from them anyhow.