Question
Did I shoot myself in the wallet by reporting my ex-tenant?
I had a tenant living in my townhouse who skipped out owing me two months rent, left my place an absolute mess, and just left the key in the rear door of the place. He's in the hole to me for about $3000. Apparently, the power company found out he was stealing electricity and shut the meter down. I have since cleaned and repaired the place and am interviewing tenants now (no more real estate agent referrals) for the rental. I filed a small claims suit against the former tenant since I knew how to find him--he owns a barbershop and salon--even though he put the wrong address on the application. In my pissed off state, I contacted the power company's revenue protection division and told of his whereabouts. They apparently went out to his business location and pulled his meter off the building, thus effectively shutting down his business. He apparently is operating out of another smaller location across the street, but his business has certainly suffered due to the move and I know the power company had to hit him with a nice fine in addition to billing for the four months of electricity he stole. Though I feel a a great bit of satisfaction in hitting him where it hurts, should I have possibly waited until I got him in court? I know he won't make too much money operating out of the shack he is in, but I feel reeeeaaallly good socking it to him.
5 months ago - 7 answers
Best Answer
Chosen by Asker
I think he deserved what he got, people can't just get away with doing horrible things like that, so no I think you did the right thing. He still owes you money for the damage he has done, and if he is not making very much money it just means that he will have a harder time getting you the money, but that doesn't mean he gets out of his responsibility to pay you. He has to pay you what he owes, and even though it may take a little longer to get you that money, at least he has hopefully learned a lesson here.
by Lil' Gherkin
5 months ago
Asker's Rating: 
Other Answers
No, you did the right thing. Taking him to small claims court isn't necessarily a guaranty you're going to get your money, but good luck anyway!
by peaches6- 5 months ago
Even when you win that small claims case, you may not be able to collect. Go ahead and enjoy the feeling. After the court case, go ahead and report his new location to the power company. It will make you feel better about not being able to collect your judgment.
by bdancer222- 5 months ago
Yes it probably would have been a wise move to have gotten your money first before you effectively shut him down. Then as you say you would have socked it to him. It will be a hollow victory now, since have literally put him out of business, plus you probably will never see your money or it will be a very long time before you do. Maybe if your lucky if won't find out who turned him in.
by Dorothy B- 5 months ago
No difference since this deadbeat has no intention of paying anyone a penny. You at least get the satisfaction that he is unhappy.
by sassy2- 5 months ago
You didn't do anything wrong. You reported a POSSIBLE theft....the power company did everything else.
by Expert Realtor- 5 months ago
He's probably a drug addict, along with being a deadbeat and a loser. He has probably screwed over so many people he has no idea who turned him in. Your never going to get any money out of him anyway so go ahead and enjoy that warm fuzzy feeling called revenge.
by cyoung85054- 5 months ago