Hi everybody -
I'm glad I stumbled on this website!

I made the error of accepting a deposit and first 1/2 month (prorated) rent, $1650, on a personal check. It bounced (I should have known, rookie mistake). When I discovered this, the tenant gave me a cash pmt of $400, a money order for $700 the next day, and another personal check for $600 the following day which his bank would not cash (bad check). :mad:

What couse of action do I have? Would this be a regular eviction for not paying rent? Is the Lease agreement even valid since he defrauded from day 1? Is he tresspassing in this case? Can I press charges with the police for fraud/passing bad checks?

I want to post an eviction notice and file with the magistrate by Friday. My understanding of the Landlord-Tenant act is that he has 10 days to vacate for not paying rent, but this seems a little different. Plus, I highly doubt he'll be out before April 1, so he'll owe me for that month as well.

Thanks in advance!!

Bill, Easton PA

PS: I think I may need a lawyer to help. Any referrals in Easton, PA area?

You should read your lease because if two rent checks have bounced, that means that full rent owed has not been paid so you should have grounds to evict. You would need the proof of the bad checks and also deduct the unpaid rent from the deposit, but file now. This is not going to get better from the way it sounds.

thanks for the assist :cool: