URGENT ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE. My tenant gave a check with no funds in the bank. What do I do? ?

Question

How do I ruine her credit score? Please provide me with phone numbers or websites as she is moving out in 15 days.

THANKS A LOT

Answer 1

Just wait a month and then go to the bank that the cheque is issued from on the last days of the month and try and have it certified. Most people think that the cheque is no longer any good and will deposit money to pay other rent or bills on the first of the month.

Answer 2

Go back to your tenant and give her the check. Tell her the bank would not cash it. Tell her that you need cash or a postal money order and cannot accept her check. That is what you do.

Answer 3

You need to notify her in writing that she has an NSF check for July apply the additional fees to her balance owing (that is if you have said fees stated in the lease). State in the letter she has 72 hours to respond or you will have no choice but to place a 7 day notice/demand for possession for non payment of rent. Then file the needed paperwork and begin eviction.

If your going to rent units you have to go about things in the legal way. You put yourself at risk by not doing so.  

Answer 4

just to add to a couple of answers, you can try to cash a check voer and over and over again within a year..unless a stop pymt is placed!

Answer 5

Before you get vindictive and find yourself getting sued, why don't you try to CONTACT the tenant because she may be 100% unaware that the funds are not there.

I have been the victim of identity theft TWICE where my entire checking account was wiped out...and I was writing checks and didn't know it.

Don't ASSume someone is being fraudulent until you know otherwise.

You also have a security deposit, she also is not 30 days late, so as of RIGHT NOW you can't do jack to her.

You also cannot put anything against her credit report unless you have an account directly with one of the credit bureaus or a collection agency...and I seriously doubt if you do enough business to warrant the cost and expense.

That is why small claims court exists.

You can only sue her for the rent MINUS the security deposit.

Answer 6

first, i would not suggest retaliating by deliberately trying to "ruin her credit". Second, i would NOT return the check to her, but send her a COPY of the bounced check. Third, i would write her a note giving her 24 hours to make the check good, then go file a suit in small claims court--it's inexpensive and can be done without a lawyer. Time is of the essence if she is moving out in 15 days and when you win the court case, it will show up on her credit history. Also, keep ALL her security deposit until the case is settled. Good luck.

Answer 7

You can report her to the credit agencies. If the amount was large and you feel that she gave it to you with the idea of fraud you can also contact the local law enforcement for passing a bad check. Also remember to sue her in the small claims court. It may not help you but someday if you record the inevitable judgement and she gets in trouble again a judge may look at it and she could end up spending some jail time.