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Finding Your Tenant that has Skipped Out for 28 cents!

By Jeff Lund

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Jeff Lund-Income Property Specialist- Bellabay Realty LLC

February 23, 2008 11:41 PM

Have you ever had a tenant that has just left you holding the bag? How about leaving no forwarding address?

Here's an idea:

When you have the unit cleaned out, 99% of the time tenants will leave pennies or other coins on the floor from the move (I probably average 28 cents), have your cleaning people place the money in a sealed envelope, and give it to you.

Then, call the emergency contact person on the application, and let them know that you are trying to reach your past tenant because you have an 'undisclosed amount of money' that your cleaning crew has found. (I really wouldn't know, as it is a sealed envelope)

You will find that your previous tenant will be very motivated to contact you very soon, and tell them that you will be happy to drop off the money, and if you could get thier adddress, since you don't want to mail money.

Once you see them at the door, hand them the envelope and walk away. You now have their address to mail/serve money judgements for any damages or outstanding bills.

Give it a try,

Jeff Lund

Comments(19)

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Nannette Turner

eXp Realty LLC - Lynchburg, VA

Online Marketing Home Ownership Advocate Specialis

You sneaky little devil you... Great tip!

Feb 23, 2008 11:47 PM

Pam Joffe

Solaris Realty - Tampa, FL

Jeff- What a great idea, I will pass it on to my property managers. The information should help them find those that skip out on them.

Feb 23, 2008 11:47 PM

Martin Dorgan

Prudential Indiana Realty - Columbus, IN

Great Suggestion! Jeff I like that kind of thinking.

Feb 23, 2008 11:48 PM

Richard Weisser

Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA

Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

HA! This is so brilliant, I am in tears laughing! I will pass this blog on to my landlord friends, they'll LOVE it!

Feb 23, 2008 11:52 PM

Deanna Casalino

Realty World J. Pavich R.E. - Estero, FL

Fort Myers Florida Homes,

I have a client who is going to LOVE this info! Thanks Jeff

Feb 23, 2008 11:52 PM

Freddy Solis Bristow

Vylla Home - Bristow, VA

Braemar Realtor

Like this idea, who will not respond to something so enticing as money left behind. I will use it for sure. Thanks

Feb 23, 2008 11:53 PM

Jeff Lund

Jeff Lund-Income Property Specialist- Bellabay Realty LLC - Grand Rapids, MI

Scott,

Yes, and it works... as long as those emergency contacts on your application are actually valid! Then it all comes back to the pre-screening process, and verifying the phone numbers in the first place. Sometimes, the tenant is on to you, and will not call back, depending on the relationship.

Martin,

Thanks- I've just been getting tired of having thousands of dollars a year go out the window, and I am always looking for new techniques to add to the cash flow for the year.

Feb 24, 2008 12:04 AM

Charlie Ragonesi

AllMountainRealty.com - Big Canoe, GA

Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros

I love this post. I do not do rentals but will pass thison

Feb 24, 2008 12:29 AM

Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

This is just too funny Jeff! I had not heard of this technique, but I'm sure it would work. :)

Feb 25, 2008 12:25 PM

Jeff Lund

Jeff Lund-Income Property Specialist- Bellabay Realty LLC - Grand Rapids, MI

Lola,

It just seems fair to try to collect from these as much as possible... since there are 'professional' renters out there that can soak up your funds quickly and live in your nice place for free. I think I'm going to start writing a book titled '1001 excuses to tell your landlord why you can't pay the rent'!, then 'landlording for dummies'...

Jeff Lund

Feb 25, 2008 12:50 PM

Ethan Dozeman

Realty Executives Platinum Group - Grand Rapids, MI

Real Estate in Grand Rapids

I hope it works here in Grand Rapids!!!

Feb 25, 2008 01:08 PM

Jeff Lund

Jeff Lund-Income Property Specialist- Bellabay Realty LLC - Grand Rapids, MI

I don't know who just left this last post... but here's the answer:

It might be that you (whoever this is) doesn't know about tenant mentality. I doesn't matter what the past relationship has been; those tenants only understand that this money is their money, and they will even demand to get it.

Jeff Lund

Mar 06, 2008 01:15 PM

Darleen McCullen

Raleigh, NC

Broker - Raleigh, NC Real Estate

This is a great tip! I'll pass it along to my clients...

Mar 16, 2008 11:27 AM

Carol Judd

New Star Real Estate - Vernal, UT

Vernal Utah Real Estate

you always have to be thinking and keep one step ahead of all possibilities before and after renting to someone.

Mar 16, 2008 01:58 PM

Jim Thrower

Renewal Real Estate, Ltd - Grand Rapids, MI

Jeff, this is a great idea.

Some might say brilliant.

Mar 20, 2008 11:34 AM

Robert Machado

HomePointe Property Management, CRMC - Sacramento, CA

CPM MPM - Property Manager and Property Management

I think most of the bad tenants will not give out their address, they will want to come to you. But, if you can get their address can you get much blood out of a turnip? Turn them into collection and move on.

Mar 20, 2008 05:31 PM

Rick Harrington

Patch Independent Home Inspections, LLC - Columbus, OH

Specialist--Infrared Residential

This reminds me of the sting that police use to get criminals to come to them. Send them a note that they are winners of a set of tickets to the local professional team. They get them to show up and they are arrested.

People like getting something for nothing and it's good to see the tides turned on them using their own greed at times.

I do feel bad for those that cannot pay the rent and need to leave but they have sign agreements and have obligations.

Mar 21, 2008 09:00 AM

Greg Adelman

Midwest Home Center - Saint Croix Falls, WI

Jeff this is really creative and want to let you know it is a great idea.

Apr 11, 2008 11:32 AM

Charles Odom

Positive Properties LLC - Laurinburg, NC

Great post. I will have to try that the next time. I am currently going through an eviction that is taking forever. I've been waiting on the Sheriff's office to schedule the lock out since Nov. 4th for an eviction that started before Oct. I am sure this tenant is not going to want me to know her new address.

Jan 26, 2009 05:37 AM