State Specific Question About: TEXAS (TX)

I don't like turnovers. Before evicting, which I have done many times, I do my best to train a tenant about the importance of paying on time. Sometimes it works. Some are untrainable.

Your next tenant might be just as bad or worse.

Have you tried finding out WHY they are almost always late on rent? I have a theory...

They don't have the money. They're terrible budgeters, and when the rent due date shows up, unless their paychecks happen to coincide with the due date (which they will occasionally), all the money is gone to other things.

The solution to this is the Payday Plan rent. Find out what their pay schedule is and time the rent to hit the same day (or the day after) the money shows up in their account. I offer monthly, bi-monthly, and bi-weekly plans.

The advantages to the tenant is they always should have money to pay the rent on time and thus they avoid late fees and maintain their account in good standing with you, which means they should get a positive reference when they move.

The advantage to you is that in exchange for being flexible and doing a tiny bit more of record keeping, you get paid extra. How so? Like this:

Monthly rent: $1000 * 12 months = $12,000 annual rent.

Bi-monthly rent (due on the 1st and 15th): $550 per payment * 24 payments per year = $13,200 annual rent.

Bi-weekly rent (due ever 14 days): $525 per payment. * 26 payments per year = $13,650 annual rent.

I like to provide solutions and get paid for my efforts and flexibility. If they refuse this solution, then simply issue non-renewal according to your state laws. If you don't know your state laws, you can probably search for them online (Try "Texas landlord tenant statutes" or on this site at the link above on the upper left hand corner of the banner that says, "Landlord/Tenant State Laws".

if a tenant needs a payday plan to pay your rent, they are still going to be living paycheck to paycheck. Your rent will just be a higher priority, but when an unexpected expense like car repair or medical bill, they will still have a problem

In Texas you do not have to give a reason for non-lease renewal. If asked just say you going a different direction and leave it at that. Least said is best.

Why are YOU allowing them be late constantly?

I would even go so far as saying tenant behavior is taught.

Let them go a little and the next time they try and grab a little more.

Mitzie,

Is there any other reason to boot them? (Texas reference:)

We get what we allow. You have ALLOWED them to pay late.

Me? If they have ANY trouble we automatically put them on my PayDayPlan rent, weekly or bi-weekly matched to their paydays.

Done right you will earn extra income for your extra handling AND help them stay on track. The extra cost is CHEAPER than the late and bounce fees.

Next, it's the 21st century. Get with the times. Stop WAITING for them to pay and put them on AUTODRAFT directly from their account into your account. The money is TAKEN each Friday. My residents LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Their other bills are autodrafted so why not rent?

Sign up for Clearnow on this website. A small fee is a cheap employee to bring in your money on time.