MISTAKE #3 ACCEPTING PARTIAL PAYMENTS WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING THE CONSEQUENCES
TAKING PARTIAL PAYMENTS BECAUSE IT SEEMS BETTER THAN NOTHING.
Why it’s a problem
In many jurisdictions, accepting partial payments can reset the eviction timeline or weaken your legal claim. Partial payments can feel like progress, yet they often work against the landlord. A typical example is a tenant who pays fifty dollars toward a much larger balance. The landlord accepts it, believing it shows good faith, only to discover that the court now views the delinquency period as restarted. Issues can also arise from rent payment platforms that automatically label payments as the current month’s rent or accept partial payments. Be sure to update your rent payment platform settings if your tenant is delinquent. • Contact the tenant immediately after a missed payment. • Send required late notices or pay-or-quit notices on time based on local laws. DO INSTEAD
ACCEPTING PARTIAL PAYMENTS CAN RESET THE EVICTION TIMELINE OR WEAKEN YOUR LEGAL CLAIM.
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