When renters owe landlords money, they have an unfortunate habit of disappearing into thin air. Renters’ irresponsible decisions to skip out on unpaid rent can leave those who trusted them to pay up on time in a difficult situation. The good news is, landlords don’t have to go it alone. Read on to get some tips for how to find a tenant that can help.
The Problem
Trying to find a debtor is difficult even in today’s heavily connected society. Landlords may face access restrictions when they try to track down records, phone numbers, and current information, and more often than not, they end up facing dead ends.
The problem is, tenants who skip out on their rent don’t want to be found. They know that they are responsible for paying back the money they owe, but they would prefer to leave their landlords on the hook for it and move on to greener pastures. As soon as it’s clear that the landlord is serious about recovering his or her lost income, these disreputable tenants make themselves scarce so they don’t have to acknowledge court orders and other legal measures to recover the money.
The Solution
Landlords have a responsibility not just to themselves, but to society as a whole, not to let disreputable renters get away with that kind of irresponsible behaviour. They can get help by contacting a debtor tracing company. The industry experts who help landlords track down deadbeat tenants have all the information-gathering tools and techniques required to make easy work of recovering lost cash.
The Investigation
Tracing someone who doesn’t want to be found can be tough, especially in today’s economic climate. If the tenant has lost his or her job, employment tracing may not work. If he or she has moved out in a rush to avoid paying back rent, chances are, there’s not a new address on file. Expert debtor tracing professionals have access to tools and networks not available to even the most technologically savvy landlords.
The process starts by opening up a private investigation. The tracing company will tap into its network and take advantage of commercially available tools, and to protect clients, they’ll always exercise maximum discretion while pursuing leads. Most debtors can be traced to their current addresses in just five to ten business days.
How to Choose a Debtor Tracing Service
Landlords looking for help tracking down a current or previous tenant need to be careful about who they trust. Don’t hire just any private investigator. Make sure to find a company that specializes in debtor tracing, and ask what services they provide. Some companies perform only minimal research online, while their industry-leading competitors will put their feet on the ground and use any available information to maximize their chances of success.
Before choosing a debtor tracing service, ask about the fee schedule. Landlords shouldn’t have to pay more than they’re owed to track down deadbeat tenants. Make sure the fees are all-inclusive to avoid surprise costs like mileage, refreshments, and the provision of in-depth reports.
The Bottom Line
It’s hard to track down renters who don’t want to be found. Landlords who are serious about getting the money they are owed almost always need some help. The right debtor tracing service will make the whole process easier.
