I have 12 rental properties now and collecting rent sometimes gets frustrating. I found a service that will call each of my tenants a few days before the rent is due to remind the tenants to pay the rent and gives my address. They can even call 3 days after the due date with a more stern reminder if I chose. They only charge $5 a month with no contracts so I probably will try it for a couple months.

Has anyone had any success with this type of service? Am I just blowing my lunch money?

Thanks

Any info on the company or its services?

Thanks,

I have recently converted all my tenants to an automatic withdrawl from their checking account if I have not received a payment by the 1st. Should there be insuffucent funds in the account Immediately file to start the eviction process. If they pay within 5 days including penalty fee the process stops.

Thanks for suggestion on direct deposit.

I'm really just trying to see what people think of this service that calls tenants and reminds them to pay rent. Do you think it would help tenants pay on time?

People are more motivated by carrots than by sticks.

What worked for me was to buy prizes and have a drawing every month among the people who paid rent on or before the 1st of the month. I had things like picture frames, clocks, full candy dishes, holiday decorations, movie passes, etc.

My tenants thought it was terrific to be rewarded (appreciated) for their prompt & early payments. Afterall, they spend thousands of dollars to live there and it's nice to get a little something back.

I tend to reward my solid tenants at lease renewal with a reduction in the monthly rent amount - maybe 10 dollars a month. It's not a huge amount but has a positive psychological impact.

Strict enforcement of late fees has been the best thing I have found to keep rent payments coming in on time.

I charge a $50 late fee after my gracious 5 day period. And if it's late but in before my grace period I tell them it will still go against their rental history which will probably mean an increased deposit wherever they move to later.

That service sounds like a good deal to me. What I do is mail my renters a rent reminder with a self-addressed envelope to mail it back in. I also have a $50 rebate that I pay my renters if they pay rent 5 days before the due date. I ALWAYS get my rent on time.

Jennifer