2021-03-21 ALL PARTIES REMAIN LIABLE
| By:
Jeff Taylor
ALL PARTIES REMAIN LIABLE
by Jeffery Taylor
Just wanted to share a quick landlord success story, which includes a couple of points worth noting:
1. If you ever have more than one person on the lease, even if one leaves early, remember that all original residents are still liable for money due if anything is owed after all parties move out. So, reach out to all residents to try and get paid.
2. Facebook is one way to find former residents.
3. Offer to negotiate a settlement with former residents, and give a deadline.
4. Rent to applicants who are more likely to be concerned about protecting their good credit.
A landlord had a move-out recently. The lady moved out owing $1,700 from a combination of damages and rent. The ex-boyfriend, who was still on the lease, had moved out previously. The landlord found her ex-boyfriend on Facebook. He was surprised that the tenant, his ex-girl friend, had left the place the way she did. He said the place was great when he moved out (except for the door he punched).
Anyway, they former residents owed about $1,700. The landlord told the ex-boyfriend, "You can pay $1,000 by next week and we'll call it square. Otherwise we go to collections." So he said that he will talk to her, and hopefully come up with a deal as he does not want his credit ruined. The boyfriend contacted the landlord before the deadline given and asked for a few more days to pay the settlement. The landlord agreed as he said he would pay the whole thing. A few days later he said his stimulus check would be in the bank, and he will send the landlord payment via Venmo--and he paid!!