In 2022, 22.4 million renters struggled to pay their rent. According to the law of averages, some will leave the rental without paying what they owe.
As a landlord, this isn't a great situation to find yourself in. Beyond having to find a new tenant, you'll need to put some effort into settling your rental debt. However, there's one silver lining: the law is on your side.
Want to know how to collect unpaid rent after tenant moves out in Charlotte, NC? This guide will help you do it as effectively as possible!
Confirm the Tenant's Departure
The first thing you need to do is to confirm that the tenant has moved out of the unit. You can do so by visiting the property and looking for signs of occupancy. If the property is empty, the tenant has likely left permanently.
If the tenant's belongings are still around, you should confirm their departure. The easiest way to do that is to contact them directly. Once you get the confirmation, you can arrange a time for them to retrieve their property.
Check the Lease Agreement
The landlord's rights after move-out often depend on the lease agreement. This contract should clearly state the due date and method of rent payments. These details will be essential if you decide to start a tenant eviction process.
Other important things you should verify in the lease agreement include:
- Late fees and penalties
- Default and remedies section
- Termination and move-out clauses
Use the Security Deposit
According to Charlotte law, you can use a tenant's security deposit to recoup unpaid rent. This is a solid preventive measure for protecting yourself in case of non-payment. Keep in mind that the deposit can only cover up to two months' rent.
Send a Formal Notice
One of the best unpaid rent recovery tips we can give you is to allow tenants to address the issue. You can do so by sending them a written formal notice. This will also be proof that you tried to remedy the situation before pursuing legal action.
For best results, send the notice via certified mail. The notice should include:
- Total amount owed
- Payment deadline
- Acceptable payment methods
- Consequences of non-compliance
File a Small Claim
If none of the above methods have worked, it's time to take legal action for unpaid rent. The best way to protect your rights is to take the tenant to a small claims court. To do so, you'll need to:
- Collect all relevant documentation
- Fill out the necessary forms
- File a claim
- Serve the tenant
- Attend the hearing
This Is How to Collect Unpaid Rent After Tenant Moves Out
If you follow these tips on how to collect unpaid rent after tenant moves out, you should recover the debt soon. If rent collection is a consistent issue, though, consider outsourcing this task to a rental property management firm.
Need help with rent collection for your Charlotte, NC rental? At Carolina Property Management, we make rent payments easy with an online portal that your tenants can access 24/7! Schedule a consultation with us right now!
