Collecting Money Owed by a Tenant

Did you ever have to evict a tenant for non-payment of rent, then get stiffed for the bill? You may be able to collect what is owed to you, even years later.

First, you need a court-ordered money judgment. If you filed for an eviction in court, you received a judgment and order of possession. The court order is a document signed by a judge that permits a local sheriff or constable to forcibly remove the tenants from the property. In most states you can also get a money judgment against the tenant, but this requires one of two things:

1) the tenant must have been personally served with the court papers or...

2) the tenant must have shown up in court.