Tenant pays with a cashier's check.....mails it!....Is it safe? (renter, house)

[jdm2008]

Originally Posted by Kleenex

thanks.
yeah, i agree.

i actually just checked....and i made a mistake....it was a money order that they gave....not a cashier's check.
how does that differ?

BankingQuestions.com - Stop Payment on Money Order

Looks like they can stop payment on it but it depends on the specific type of money order. Why won't he send you a personal check? That seems like the easiest way(most protection for the tenant), it is usually the landlord who insists on money orders etc.

Here's two links about what happens with money orders and cashier's check
BankingQuestions.com - Stop Payment on Money Order
U.C.C. - ARTICLE 3 -§3-312.

[DubbleT]

Have it sent certified?

[rlrl]

from the post office or a check cashing place are generally cheaper than a cashier's check or MO from a bank

[Rhenzanite]

Knock $10 off his rent and make him send it UPS or FEDEX. It takes about 3 minutes online to print out a label, has a tracking #. There are about a million places to drop them off (and fedex offers free envelopes and labels, if need be) and it's only a few bucks to send.

[TKramar]

Originally Posted by jdm2008

BankingQuestions.com - Stop Payment on Money Order

Looks like they can stop payment on it but it depends on the specific type of money order. Why won't he send you a personal check? That seems like the easiest way(most protection for the tenant), it is usually the landlord who insists on money orders etc.

Here's two links about what happens with money orders and cashier's check
BankingQuestions.com - Stop Payment on Money Order
U.C.C. - ARTICLE 3 -§3-312.

Money orders never bounce.

[Steve Bagu]

PO box is NOT a guarantee of safety when it comes down to your mail.

I am retired in Baja and have a PO box in San Ysidro Calif. for the last 13 yrs.

During that time have lost mail (CC statement, magazine etc).

I would get some mail from the box next to mine being the last numbers a 8 or 9...easy to confuse at 4 AM by the posting mail clerk.

I always return any mail NOT mine to the counter person but doubt the neighbor box is having the same courtesy.

Boxes are for a minimum of 3 months and during the yrs have seen the last name change frequently.

Bottom line is that the PO is not immune to mistakes.

Steve

[auntieannie68]

nothing is immune to mistakes--all cashiers checks have carbon copies with their own set of numbers--one copy for the bank,one for the purchaser,original to the payee--both mo's and cashier checks have numbers that can be traced--on a cc the bank can halt payment and reissue a new one if the check is lost based on the number on the copy of the payer and bank matching--as a renter i woud NEVER pay with a personal check!

[TKramar]

I like paying cash, myself. With money orders being the next best thing.

[VegasGrace]

They are adults, let them pay how they want. The rent is due when the rent is due. Even if it was a personal check-it could still get lost. It's not your problem.

You could ensure your lease stated something along the lines of it being the renter's responsibility to ensure payment is made on or before the due date and that any mailing delay will incur late fees if payment received past the due date.

[Kleenex]

Originally Posted by VegasGrace

They are adults, let them pay how they want. The rent is due when the rent is due. Even if it was a personal check-it could still get lost. It's not your problem.

You could ensure your lease stated something along the lines of it being the renter's responsibility to ensure payment is made on or before the due date and that any mailing delay will incur late fees if payment received past the due date.

adding that to my contract is a good idea.
but 'realistically', i'm sure you can imagine a case where they send the Money order (or not) and it gets lost, and i tell them and they insist that they paid and that they will not pay again etc etc.
then you're faced with this conflict that must be resolved one way or another....and even though it's 'legally' in my favor, it'll be head ache for both sides. that's what i was trying to avoid by thinking ahead of time.
And "it's not my problem" until a MO gets lost and i have to fight with them and take them to court to evict them over something that 'may' be preventable. see my point?