Help With Collecting Money Owed to RE Agent

Here is the story, I hope I can get some help.

My father is a real estate agent and the real estate he works at charges one month's rent for finding an apartment. He had clients who he found an apartment for and who signed the standard paper saying that they would pay and promised to pay, but haven't for a few weeks. The landlord told my father under no circumstances would he give them the keys before my father got paid, but he did anyway. Now these people don't pick up their phone and have no intention of paying. I asked my fathers boss to sue them in small claims court but he says its a waste of time and he says that when he won cases in the past it would be impossible to collect anyway. This has happened to my father a few times and I'm trying to help him collect, but the first thing that came to mind was small claims, which is now out of the question. He can't go after his boss either because he doesn't want to be out of a job and on bad terms with him. Previously I had my lawyer send a letter to other people that owed money and they just ignored it. Any other ideas? I was thinking about possibly selling it to a collection agency, but I have no experience with that and the boss would have to agree. Thanks in advance.

It sounds like you have covered the possibilities well. IF the broker won't bother, then your Dad got the short end of the stick. In my area, such contracts are with the landlord. But in this day and age, did your father have a renter's agent agreement? All I can tell you is read the contract. Determine who was supposed to pay and send them a letter. I agree, rentals are such a PIA.

Glitch99 said: Doesnt the landlord usually pay the agent for bring in a tenant?Depends who the contract was with...the renter for finding an apartment, or the landlord for finding a tenant...

Either way, if dad isnt willing to sue or use a collector, there isnt much else he can do. Bang on their door every night??

Tell your dad to get a real job. Charging one month's rent for opening a door to an apartment is not work that deserves that kind of money (especially in this economy).

With the amount of time and money he wastes trying to go after these people, he could find a job that actually benefits society.

sxn said: Tell your dad to get a real job. Charging one month's rent for opening a door to an apartment is not work that deserves that kind of money (especially in this economy).

With the amount of time and money he wastes trying to go after these people, he could find a job that actually benefits society.

Why don't you worry about your benefit to society rather than judging other people? All you do is wack off in front of the computer all day, I highly doubt you contribute anything. And I'd be more than glad to meet you in real life and beat your a*s. So go to hell, and stop wasting time with dumb comments. Lets hear about your job and how you contribute. probably sitting on welfare collecting food stamps.

In addition, you have no clue what the job of a RE agent is, its not just opening a door. But my fist can definitely explain it to you.

Glitch99 said: patsan said: the owner of the real estate really needs to make it a more lengthy contract, but he doesn't usually listen to my suggestions.And why would a business owner listen to some kid of an employee?

I'm going to have my father try to speak to him on Monday

I have the names and addresses so the people wont be hard to find at all.

I'll also give them the signed "contracts"

I certainly dont want anybody suing the real estate

or do I not have to worry about thatAre you your dad's legal guardian? Is he legally incompetent? If not, I fail to see how any of this is any of your business. Your dad can do whatever your dad wants to do about the situation, and if he chooses to just let it go then more power to him.

Keep meddling, and you're going to find yourself filing for your dad's unemployment benefits.

I help out my maintaining the network, website, providing computer support, and accounting, so I speak to the owner on a regular basis. He is also pretty frustrated because this is money that he's not getting either, he just knows small claims is a lost cause. He is now open to the idea of just giving it to a debt collector if I take care of everything.

patsan said: sxn said: Tell your dad to get a real job. Charging one month's rent for opening a door to an apartment is not work that deserves that kind of money (especially in this economy).

With the amount of time and money he wastes trying to go after these people, he could find a job that actually benefits society.

Why don't you worry about your benefit to society rather than judging other people? All you do is wack off in front of the computer all day, I highly doubt you contribute anything. And I'd be more than glad to meet you in real life and beat your a*s. So go to hell, and stop wasting time with dumb comments. Lets hear about your job and how you contribute. probably sitting on welfare collecting food stamps.

In addition, you have no clue what the job of a RE agent is, its not just opening a door. But my fist can definitely explain it to you.

You sir, are an e-tough guy.

Your fist will explain the grueling procedure of complimenting the windows or the plumbing fixtures? Or lighting a candle and sitting at the dining room table with your laptop all Sunday afternoon?

christoj879 said: patsan said: sxn said: Tell your dad to get a real job. Charging one month's rent for opening a door to an apartment is not work that deserves that kind of money (especially in this economy).

With the amount of time and money he wastes trying to go after these people, he could find a job that actually benefits society.

Why don't you worry about your benefit to society rather than judging other people? All you do is wack off in front of the computer all day, I highly doubt you contribute anything. And I'd be more than glad to meet you in real life and beat your a*s. So go to hell, and stop wasting time with dumb comments. Lets hear about your job and how you contribute. probably sitting on welfare collecting food stamps.

In addition, you have no clue what the job of a RE agent is, its not just opening a door. But my fist can definitely explain it to you.

You sir, are an e-tough guy.


And who are you, I'm not sure I was talking to you. and I'm not an e-tough guy, this guy has no clue what he's talking about and is judging people instead of contributing to the thread. we'll see what he says, I dont mind meeting him in person and seeing how judgmental he is then. I bet his answer would be very different. People hide behind their computer saying all kinds of crap, but I'm 100% sure he wouldn't talk like that to someone in person because he'd get shut up very quickly.

Your fist will explain the grueling procedure of complimenting the windows or the plumbing fixtures? Or lighting a candle and sitting at the dining room table with your laptop all Sunday afternoon?

Im betting this RE agency is not a "formal" agency structure, but more of a mom and pop shop where Op, his dad and the owner are not sophisticated businesspeople. Are they relatives by any chance?