Why my NEW landlord do not accept personal checks but money orders or cashier checks?
The apartment complex where I live was sold, and the new landlord ask us to pay the rent JUST by money orders or cashier checks. Personaly, I never had problems paying (allways) by personal cecks before. Can somebody tell me why? I couldn't talk to him yet, and You'll never find him by the phone.
Answers:
Maybe other tenants in the building had problems with bouncing their checks. Money orders and cashiers checks are a lot easier to deal with anyway, because sometimes it takes a landlord weeks to cash them.
I guess he's been burnt before with too many rubber checks.
More likely that a personal check will bounce. He's being paranoid (probably because he got burned in the past). Sucks for honest people like you who have to deal with it.
Is there anything in your lease agreement stating what payment methods are acceptable?
Likely, he does not want to deal with the hassle of prosecuting people who give checks with insufficient funds. Accepting only money orders or cashier's checks eliminates this problem. If the acceptable methods of payment are mentioned in your lease, he cannot change it without you agreeing to it in a new lease.
Because personal checks do not guarantee the funds are there.
Cashiers checks and Money Orders garantee that the money is there. I could write you a personal check for 1,000,000 dollars tomorrow. Doesn't mean that it will clear. Your new landlord probably got screwed by them in the past. Why, do you try to float bad checks for your rent?
perhaps new company has had trouble with bouncing checks. this is a good idea though---because alot of people scam rental properties writting bad checks. they do have a right to change the way people pay. you can always ask to leave.
If your landlord is going to be such a jerk as to make you spend additional time and money then I would make it as difficult as possible for him. Pay by postal money order and make your landlord sign for the rent by delivering it every month by certified mail, return receipt requested, with a cover letter. Keep copies of the money order and certified mail receipt so that he can't come back at you crying you didn't pay your rent. Two can play at his game.
PS (Just as it's his right to want cashiers checks or money orders, it is your right to demand proof that payment was delivered.)
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