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Jonny24

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#240612 16-Sep-2018 18:53
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Hi all, need help with chasing a bad debt of a tenant. She's from scotland on a work visa and gave one weeks notice rather than two as stated in her contract there was no bond.
She argues that she informed me a few times a week ago that she would be leaving on this day and I didn't state any objections or that she didn't give enough notice. But it clearly states in the contract two weeks notice and they were hazy about their plans.

 

So as they were leaving I told them as they didn't give two weeks notice they needed to pay me a weeks rent of 170$ into my account.

 

They said they weren't aware of that in the contract and said due to me not objecting they didn't think I had a problem and I should have raised it earlier with them - as they would have stayed another week rather than paying for another week else where ontop. they said they will pay only a Max of $30 for my inconvenience.

 

I don't know where they live but said they are going back to Scotland next week so I need to act fast. Can I preventing them flying back via court or affect their visa? How do I take them to court or get debt recovery?
If they are here longer how can I find them to take them to court?

Thanks for help

 

Jonny


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danielparker
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  #2091639 16-Sep-2018 18:57
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Take the $30 and walk away.. its not worth the stress.

 

Daniel




stinger
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  #2091643 16-Sep-2018 19:01
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No, you cannot use the courts to prevent them leaving the country, especially over such a smaller amount. Only a handful of people have been denied departing at the border with an outstanding debt, and that has been for very outstanding child support or student loan bills.

 

Your recourse will be via the Tenancy Tribunal, but given that you don't have their contact details and they a leaving the country next week, it wouldn't really be worth your while trying to chase it. Make sure you charge a bond for the next tenant :)


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#2091653 16-Sep-2018 19:19
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@Jonny24 No Bond and that is your eroor, Lesson learnt so move on take the $30

 

You can't do nothing as no bond lodged with the Tenancy Services!

 

John




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  #2091656 16-Sep-2018 19:25
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stinger:

 

Your recourse will be via the Tenancy Tribunal, but given that you don't have their contact details and they a leaving the country next week, it wouldn't really be worth your while trying to chase it. Make sure you charge a bond for the next tenant :)

 

 

No recourse as no bond was lodged, They will not be interested

 

John


surfisup1000
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  #2091661 16-Sep-2018 19:33
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There is nothing you can do. 

 

I have a former tenant who lives in NZ and owes me $4000.   It is uneconomic to collect. PI to find out where they live, court orders, then they might just disappear again. 

 

The justices system does not make collecting small debts easy. $4k is a small debt with respect to the justice system. 


DaveB
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  #2091679 16-Sep-2018 20:33
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Charge a bond next time (as you should). Or use a property manager to do the job properly for you.


 
 
 

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sen8or
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  #2091747 17-Sep-2018 08:20
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Be thankful it wasn't a particularly expensive "life lesson", suck it up and move on


tripp
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  #2091758 17-Sep-2018 08:40
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Really not worth the time for $170.

 

Get a bond next time.


Geektastic
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  #2091763 17-Sep-2018 09:11
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How many dollars per hour is your time worth? I expect your already used more than the $170...





amiga500
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  #2091768 17-Sep-2018 09:18
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Absolutely not worth the hassle.  Reduce the $30 to $10 a buy a nice coffee and a piece of cake!


UHD

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  #2091772 17-Sep-2018 09:27
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It sounds as if you should have reminded her of the two week notice period when she made hazy mention of plans to leave and you should have collected a bond. That is one of the things it is there for.


 
 
 
 

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afe66
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  #2091814 17-Sep-2018 11:18
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I'm down $600 from a young German working in central otago whose insurance company refuses to pay and he has left the country.

Lesson to self, any foreign young person is going to have his address google mapped. The address he gave me was a youth hostel....

Geektastic
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  #2091859 17-Sep-2018 11:49
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With no agreement I would imagine it would be less than simple to get them to leave the property if they did not wish to do so. Something to bear in mind over and above the money...






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