errr….
Has your dumbass tenant fallen behind on payments?
Unfortunately, I have one particular tenant that does it all the time. Granted, it’s usually only by a week or so, but still, it’s frustrating. I feel like screaming at her:
What’s the f’ing point of consistantly paying 1 week late? Surely it would make my life easier if you paid on time because it would spear me from chasing you, you idiot!!! I have better things to do than chase you.
Alas, I’m too weak and pathetic to shout at her, consequently I just approach her like a little girl and gently remind her, while feeding her grapes and fanning her with freshly plucked peacock feathers.
Every month, without fail she feeds me some lame excuse which I couldn’t care less about. It’s usually on the lines of:
Oh, i’m really sorry, i’ve been completely flat out this month, it slipped my mind.
Blah blah blah! How can it slip her mind if I remind her every month? The most annoying factor is that every time I chase her up on late payments, she ensures me it won’t happen again.
Don’t get me wrong, she’s a nice woman, and overall, besides from her late payments, she’s a very decent tenant. She’s never not paid (*touches wood*), so I never get overly concerned.
It’s important to leave behind a traceable record
As a landlord it’s good practise to document every important conversation between you and the tenant. Why? Because physical proof can be the difference between winning and losing a case in court (that’s the worst case scenario).
In this instance, if you’re reminding your tenant(s) that they have fallen behind on payments (I use the word “remind” loosely), you can send them a rent arrears reminder form. It’s good practise- and let’s face it, most tenants in arrears won’t pick up the phone anyways.
Here is a rent arrears reminder form that you can send your tenant if they fall behind on rent:
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Oh yes.. The dreaded late payers! The last guy I had in my house was a nightmare! Every month I had to chase him.
So.. With when the next one moved in it was standing orders all the way! 1st of the Month now I get my money. I told the person this was part of the deal and said I wouldn't let to them without a standing order setup.
Touch wood she's been in there 5 months now and I haven't had a payment late by 1 day.
Maybe say to your person.. "I'm putting this in place as you always seem to forget. This will take that stress off your hands."
I hate chasing people as well and it's a great feeling knowing the money will just show up.
Also.. I find it's a great test when you're showing people. I just tell them upfront that it HAS to be a standing order.. If they make any kind of moans I show them the door.
All the best!
Simon