Debt Collection Technique Problems:
Worst Case Solution for Small Debt Collections

by Evan
(Brooklyn, NY)

In this tough economy, collecting even $100 can be a chore, but it is because of the tough economy that every $100 counts. My scenario was with an apartment tenant not fulfilling her rent requirements to their full extent.

This tenant was at the end of her lease and came up short for her rent by $600. Since I already had her deposit of $500 and the apartment was in fine condition, the difference was only a matter of $100.

You might imagine that the next few weeks I spent trying to convince her to pay the $100 by threatening legal action, which in the end was the route I had to take. In New York, the small claims court is a very easy venue to go about collecting on small debts and once the tenant received the letter in the mail that instructed her to pay, she did.

Going to court is never a good solution, but in this case, it was my only recourse.