Dallas Property Management Experts on Reporting Non-Paying Renters

Anyone with experience in Dallas property management has had non-paying renters to deal with from time to time. There are a few steps to take when reporting deadbeat residents to your local debt collectors, in order to avoid any future legal backlash.

1. Communicate with the renter - You must communicate with a renter who has gotten behind in the rent payments, and you should do it in person. Let them know the consequences such as late fee fines, bad credit ratings, and eventually, eviction and court fees. Be very clear about the deadline you have set for reporting the renter to a collection company and credit rating organization if there is no payment. Take notes on the time and place of this discussion and what was communicated.
   
   
2. Contact a collection agency - Your property management company probably has at least one collection agency they deal with all the time. You, the landlord, can contact them directly, or you can turn this chore over to your property manager. The collection agency, if successful, will take a hefty percentage of the fees collected. At your request, they can also give the non-paying resident's name to credit bureaus that will report the case, lowering the resident's credit rating.
   
   
3. Bad renters web forums - Check the web boards, forums, and websites for those that allow you to report a non-paying resident in the DFW area. This will help other landlords avoid renting to them and save them time and money.

(Courtesy of experts in property management companies in DFW)