Collecting for unpaid rent and damages

One way to collect for unpaid rent and damages is to hire a collection agency.  Rent Recovery – http://www.rentrecoveryservice.com  is a collection agency that works on a contingency or flat fee basis.  They will also report the tenant to all three credit bureaus.  If you hire them on a contingency basis, you pay nothing unless they collect.  They keep a percentage of the amount they collect.  They report the debt owed to all three credit bureaus if you hire them on a contingency or flat fee basis.

You can sue for the debt in small claims court.  If your previous tenants move out of state or disappear, you can continue with the court case against them.  Once served, you win by default if they don’t show in court.  Have the judgment recorded in the courthouse for a small fee and it will appear on their credit report.  If they later try to buy property, you can use the judgment to lien the property.  If you win a court judgment against the tenant you may be able to collect up to 25% of their wages in a wage garnishment until your judgment is satisfied.