AngryLandlord
Junior Member
I live in Florida, I had a verbal lease with my tennants, a couple who were my friends. They paid ontime for 4 months but they both got fired and didn't pay rent the last month so I had to evict them. I didn't mind them owing me rent for only 1 month ($600) but when I got the last water and power bills, they hadn't paid for two months (another $600). He did find another job but she hasn't, and basically he has told me that he isn't going to pay since we don't have a lease and I have no proof that he lived here. Some friend huh?
I was wondering if it is worth it to go to small claims court, he does "admit" that he owes me, but I'm sure he wont in court. I was wondering what evidence I could use, I have text message conversations and a few witnesses that were there when we made the verbal deal, but one is my uncle and the other is his old boss that fired him. But even if I get a favorable verdict, it says I am responsible for collecting? I can't even collect now, so how is going to small claims going to help that? I just don't want to lose another $3-400 in court costs if I don't have enough evidence or if I can't somehow get my money back.
Any advice is appreciated.
I was wondering if it is worth it to go to small claims court, he does "admit" that he owes me, but I'm sure he wont in court. I was wondering what evidence I could use, I have text message conversations and a few witnesses that were there when we made the verbal deal, but one is my uncle and the other is his old boss that fired him. But even if I get a favorable verdict, it says I am responsible for collecting? I can't even collect now, so how is going to small claims going to help that? I just don't want to lose another $3-400 in court costs if I don't have enough evidence or if I can't somehow get my money back.
Any advice is appreciated.