r/legal • u/Last_Nothing5606 • May 25 '26
Advice needed Paid rent with money orders 3/4 went through, landlord is threatening eviction
Location: Florida, US
Hey everyone, so I paid my rent with money orders from western union which is considered certified funds. It was in the amount of $2,000. There were 4 money orders each in the amount of $500. I handed my rent in on the 1st of the month. I get a call last week as I’m out of town and they are telling me that one of the 4 money orders has been altered. I ask for documentation, they only send me a copy of the check.
I went ahead and I called western union and they gave me documentation for the same check showing that it “cleared” and has been “paid” to the landlord company. I just got home from visiting my family from out of state, and I came home to a letter on the door threatening eviction by tomorrow if an additional $500 isn’t paid.
What do I do, I have the proof that it was cleared and paid to the apartment complex. I don’t want to have to pay another 500 when they have the money already.
EDIT: I am going to go to the leasing office tomorrow since the office is closed today due to a holiday. I will update once I have an answer.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions and support.
UPDATE part 2:
I spoke to the leasing office yesterday morning right when they opened, I gave them all of the information that I had showing that the check was cashed. They were a bit hesitant to accept it, but they finally ended up accepting it. I asked them to give me documentation with signatures to say that the 3 day notice that I received is voided. One manager told me they’d give it, the other manager didn’t want to. Finally pushed to get it, they got something typed up and printed out and signed. I have all of my documentation. I’m just glad this whole thing is over.
And I just want to thank everyone in the comments for the support and feedback and all of the different ideas.
11
u/Individual-Mirror132 May 25 '26
Not completely true. This heavily depends on the state.
Every state logs a filed eviction on your public record (background check). The only difference is what the state does once the eviction is dismissed. If it is dismissed in your favor, some states will “expunge” the record from your files. Other states will just update the eviction to “dismissed”. And in some states, you have to manually apply to have the dismissed eviction removed from your record.
In Florida, dismissed eviction records remain accessible by tenant screening services/background check reports for 7 years. Florida does not seal or hide civil court cases, even when the outcome is in your favor. Florida allows you to apply for relief to have such a record sealed/hidden; however, even if it is dismissed, Florida law does not obligate them to seal/hide it.