Small Claims Court and effect on tenant's credit?

Small Claims Court and effect on tenant's credit? by Willie (California) on October 31, 2009 @13:46

I'm about to sue a former problem tenant in Small Claims Court for damages.

I wonder if a Small Claims Court verdict against him will automatically get reported to the credit bureaus and show up in his credit report? Or how would I go about in best making sure it puts a derogatory remark on his credit history (and cripples his ability to rent again)?

Also, I would like to include the tenant's wife as a co-defendant in my complaint. Can I do that even though she wasn't formally on the lease?

This is an amazing forum, BTW. Thank you everybody.

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Re: Small Claims Court and effect on tenant's credit? by Ultimate M-Bone on October 31, 2009 @16:20	[ Reply ]
When you sue tenant and win a judgment, it's reported on their credit automatically, no need to report outside of that. I would be very cautious about nameing her on the complaint if she did not sign the lease. Without her signiture, you really can not hold her responsible.

Re: Small Claims Court and effect on tenant's credit? by Anonymous on October 31, 2009 @21:37	[ Reply ]
The only thing you need to do is to make sure the judgment is recorded by the clerk after the hearing. Some courts charge a small fee to record the judgment after the verdict. Once recorded, it should automatically be picked up by the credit bureaus.

Re: Small Claims Court and effect on tenant's credit? by Ed (MN) on November 1, 2009 @00:33	[ Reply ]
Make sure you Docket the judgement. Costs another $55 here in MN after you win conciliation court. You have to wait 23 days after the win to docket the judgement.

Re: Small Claims Court and effect on tenant's credit? by OK-LL on November 1, 2009 @10:10	[ Reply ]
If the wife is not on the lease, but is occupying the property, you may list her by name on the eviction suit, and include the works "and all occupants" -- that will clear everyone out of the unit. You probably will not get a $$ judgment against anyone except those named in your lease, but her name will show as being evicted from the property.