Need some advice

My husband got a new job a few months ago that was in a different town than where we were living. We did not want to spend a whole lot on a place for him to stay so we found a older lady with one room for rent that was listed in the paper. He stayed with her for 2 months before we sold our home and all moved up there with him.

Well we paid the lady 400per month (800 total) and then she tells us that she needed a $250 deposit. I told my husband NO because she never said anything about it to us before he moved in. Well anyways he payed her the deposit. The day before he moved out he asked for the deposit money back and she wrote him a check for $250.

I cashed the check and a few weeks later find out the the check is bad and the bank issues a $15 fee to me ( not sure what is was called). I sent the lady a letter and tell her what happened with our new address. Dont her from her. I called the lady and talked to her she said that she had some medical issues happen and appologised and says that she is working on it. This was 3 months ago.
Should I keep calling her. My husband says if she had the money she would pay us and to just wait. Its not a lot of money but it is my money.

Thanks

If it were me I'd probably call again...it's been 3 months....even a hey just checking in on that deposit $$ and your situation. Tell her you'd even take a little bit at a time, whatever she can afford.
Then if nothing, check back again in a few months....

You are right it is your $$ and I don't care if she's older she still should not take your money especially if he left the place in good condition.

I suppose after trying for a while, I'd probably give up though, but I'd at least try a few more times.

In some states, the sheriff's office can help. Otherwise, you can file in small claims court. Just the threat of that may be enough to make her do something. And don't take a partial. That will keep you from legally collecting what you are owed.

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The first question is ... do you have documentation? Do you have a rental agreement? Do you have proof that you paid the $250 as a deposit?

If you have the proof you need, then try to collect the money by filing in small claims court. You file for the $250 and the $15 bounced deposit fee.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

Get the check she wrote you and go to the bank it is issued from and tell them you want to present it for collection. They will have that check there and the minute her money hits the account before anything else is taken out, the bank will cash your check. My mother had to do this to someone who tried to write a bad check. The only draw back is if she nver uses that account. Then you will have to take it to court.

Thank you for all the advice! I think that I will try giving her a call again and if that doesnt work I will go to the bank and talk to them. Its not enought money or worth the hassel to take it to small claims i think.

ndbeckner is right on!!! my mother does this all the time as she is a school secretary and you would not BELIEVE all the bad checks she gets. the bank always comes through for her and will even call her when the checks are good. i would definitely try this even before contacting the woman again. good luck.

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Mabennett - Proud Mommy to a Yankee, a Tarheel, and a cheerleader

I'd try what NDBECKNER said. You will never get your money voluntarily from this woman. Being nice isn't getting you anywhere. Little old ladies can be just as much of a crook as anyone else (more even, because they know they can often get away with it because people will feel sorry for them).

Since you had a good relationship with her, I would probably try to talk to her personally about it again before I did anything else. But that's me.

In some states all you have to do is take the check to the DA's office in the county that the check was issued in.

They will collect it for you from her, but it will cost her about 150.00 more in fees.

I would send her a certified letter, stating that she had 10 days from this date to send me a certified check or money order for the 250 + 15 (that the bank charged) or I would be turning in over to the local DA's office.

I am in collections here at work, (just part of my many duties) and usually this is all it takes when I get a bad check from a customer!