We rented a room in our home, that we own, to someone who conned us big time. We thought he was a good guy, that would pay his rent. Well, he didn't. He also would not leave. Long story short, he owes us 1,000 dollars in bounced checks. We called the police, there was a trial, that we were not told about, the judge ordered him to pay. He didn't, and now the judge says he doesn't have to pay anything. What do we do now? He's on SSI and the clerk of courts said we would not get any money if we sued him. Any ideas?
By V.Toby from OH
You can still take him to small claims court, if your state allows it. It's five years of waiting, but if he is ordered to pay, he will have to.
However, since this is all public records, I would put the information on facebook and warn others about him, including future renal folks. It might not get your money back, but it will make him sorry he ever ripped anyone off. Good luck.
Since you mention that the judge now says he doesn't have to pay then there is nothing you can do to collect because that's his legal and binding judgment. If the judge wouldn't have reversed the original decision you "might" have been able to garnish his disability (that's a big might because there are stringent rules about disability garnishment).
I am with Poor But Proud about announcing the man for the deadbeat he is on social media because there are court records to prove him to be so.
Did you finally get him out? I don't understand how someone can write hot checks and get away with it. I don't understand the judge's reversal of his decision that he doesn't have to pay. What am I missing? I know that sometimes laws are not even enforced. Regardless, I'd do as someone mentioned and I'd spread the word on every social media site I could find. Don't know the size of your town but I'd be telling everyone I met and every where I went. I'd be getting the word out for sure. Good Luck
This is TXBetty again; if you sue you may not get any money but it will be on his record, not that he would care. I'd do it anyway.
Start proceedings to evict him. Then report him to all three credit bureaus. Because you are legally renting to him, as a landlord you can report him to the bureaus. Then as others have suggested, FB him, what a dirt-bag.
You left too many questions here. Did you rent out a room in the home you live in? If so, why didn't you just kick him out or have the police remove him? You would have to follow a rental lease if it was just a rental, but if he was in your home, you wouldn't be obligated to allow him to stay.
After the police arrested him, what was the court date for? was it for writing hot checks? They may have been enforcing the hot check law, having him criminally fined and the judge may have stated that he had no means to pay the fines and court costs. If so, you may still be able to go after him for restitution.
Seriously, without details, we simply cannot give you legal advice. Call small claims court in your area, they will tell you how to proceed.
