What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MN
The lease says $60 late fee after the first of the month. The rent was not received until June 8th. When asked about paying the late fee, the tenant said he would call and discuss on June 12th. Not receiving the call, I called him on June 12 but he said he was taking an exam. We briefly talked on the phone and he said he would pay the $60 on June 16th, which was postponed later to June 17th. When we did meet on the 17th, he proposed to pay June's late fee at the beginning of July together with July's rent.
I sent him a certified letter on June 23rd asking that June's late fee and July's rent be paid in full by July 3rd. He called on July 2nd and said he would deposit money into my bank account on the 3rd. By early evening on the 3rd, still no payment was made. I then drove to my rental property and handed a letter to his mother-in-law (he was not there at the time) asking for the rent be paid in full by the 6th before starting the eviction process.
The tenant later called and said he would like to terminate the lease, because he felt pressured by my asking about his rental payment and is not comfortable working with me anymore. He claimed I did not have the right to come knocking on his door and embarrassing him in front of his relative. Now he decides not to make any payment and says he will see me in court after I start the eviction process. He accused me of harassing him by repeatedly asking for the rent he owed and even claims I am responsible for his failing the exam when I called him on June 12th.
Now I am faced with going through the eviction process and fighting his harassment charge. Any comments on this case or suggestions on what I could have done better will be appreciated.
The lease says $60 late fee after the first of the month. The rent was not received until June 8th. When asked about paying the late fee, the tenant said he would call and discuss on June 12th. Not receiving the call, I called him on June 12 but he said he was taking an exam. We briefly talked on the phone and he said he would pay the $60 on June 16th, which was postponed later to June 17th. When we did meet on the 17th, he proposed to pay June's late fee at the beginning of July together with July's rent.
I sent him a certified letter on June 23rd asking that June's late fee and July's rent be paid in full by July 3rd. He called on July 2nd and said he would deposit money into my bank account on the 3rd. By early evening on the 3rd, still no payment was made. I then drove to my rental property and handed a letter to his mother-in-law (he was not there at the time) asking for the rent be paid in full by the 6th before starting the eviction process.
The tenant later called and said he would like to terminate the lease, because he felt pressured by my asking about his rental payment and is not comfortable working with me anymore. He claimed I did not have the right to come knocking on his door and embarrassing him in front of his relative. Now he decides not to make any payment and says he will see me in court after I start the eviction process. He accused me of harassing him by repeatedly asking for the rent he owed and even claims I am responsible for his failing the exam when I called him on June 12th.
Now I am faced with going through the eviction process and fighting his harassment charge. Any comments on this case or suggestions on what I could have done better will be appreciated.