Landlord options for past due tentant rent in Texas?

Nice to meet you. I own and rent out 10 single family homes in South Texas. If the deadbeat has already left then I'd just let it go. As much as you want to stick the screws to the guy as a business owner (which you are) it won't help you out.

If there were damages that you could prove (search the net for pics of destroyed property) and get a handy man to give you phoney estimate (the max amount for small claims is $5000) I might mess with it just so I could claim the loss revenue against my taxs.

And for the record, the cost to file a claim is $27 but the service fee (constable dropping it off) is $60.

Now, the guy isn't showing up for court so as long as you have your lease with him signed and "proof" of your damages you'll win.

You'll get a piece of paper stating that he owes you $$$. Then you pay a couple more bucks to the workers there to prepare an abstract judgement and then you can file the judgement with the County Clerks Office for about $20, maybe more.

If all this sounded like a hassle, it's because it is. You'll be better served by letting it go and being being happy the bastard left on his own.

As a side note: I'd never let a tenant live in my house. Just too close for comfort. An informed and determined tenant could really make you and your fiances life hell.

Small Claims court - the filing fee is usually fairly cheap = $30-75 and the losing party pays the court costs. So, if you won the judge would order the court fees to be added to the judgment.

Rent and utilities is an easily won case. I would definetly file.

Once you get the judgment, you can garnish bank accounts, wages, etc.

Plus the judgment can be renewed for up 20 years and will accrue interest. Once there is a judgment, you have it recorded and the credit bureaus should pick it up.

You can report resident debt here:

https://www.aoausa.com/SECURE/mrLdebtreportingserv...

For $13.00 it's worth the chance that you just may get paid.

well i suppose that they can leave a message and if asked what the message is , say i'm wondering when the rent they due me will be paid . as long as it is accurate i see no problem just pay the rent and you will not get any phone calls to remind . ask your landlord / lessor to call you directly if the payment is late / in question . call the lessor in advance if it is going to be late and say when they can expect it. i would think they just want to know so they know how to pay their own bills . they have to budget, plan / pay late fees and take the credit hits if they are late , as you do . not easy for either side. best to work together in both of your benefits.

Unfortunately for you the only thing you can do is take him to small claims court. You can look into reporting on his credit, but I don't think you can. The only way to get it on his record would be to file the eviction notice, but as you say it will be useless and cost you even more money.

for $350 you might not want to bother. Release the dude and find a new tenant.