Survey Results – Top Ten Reasons Tenants Give for Not Paying Rent
Posted by Bill Gray on March 9, 2010
Recently I was asked to conduct a survey of my blog readers of the reasons and or excuses tenants [tweetmeme source=”your_twitter_name” only_single=false http://www.URL.com%5Dgive for not paying their rent. 
I have heard countless times from landlords who allowed tenants to pay rent late, only to be burned in the end when the tenant either skips or must be evicted. This situation usually ends with the landlord being owed several thousands of dollars. The economy of the last couple years has increased both the percentage of tenants who leave owing a balance, and the average size of the balance owed.
Here are the top ten results from over four hundred responses:
1. Got laid off, fired or my hours got cut.
2. The bank screwed up my account.
3. My paycheck is late.
4. May car broke and it cost a lot to get it fixed.
5. I mailed it today.
6. I have not had time to get a money order.
7. I spent too much on Christmas/birthday presents and don’t have all the rent.
8. My roommate has not given me their half of the rent.
9. Spent the rent on medical bills.
10. My child support or government check is late.
The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed to be legal advice. Consult a local landlord-tenant attorney to discuss your specific situation.
Email me your tenant screening and tenant debt questions.
Bill Gray
Tenant Debt & Screening Forum www.theinformedlandlord.com
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Bill Gray - The Landlord Doctor 
Jennifer Minge said
I once got a reason that my tenants decided to get married on a whim in Mississippi. So had to pay for the marriage ceremony instead of rent.
I once got a tenant say their mother died and had to go to funeral so couldn’t pay rent. Two months later they used the exact same excuse.
Joe L. said
What are some legitimate reasons to not pay/have paid rent?