Pulaski

That's all a bit old hat, and rather hard work, never mind the illegality, when there are numerous tools on-line, many of them free, that can help you track someone down.

BristolUK

Not old hat all. Very successfully used. Good luck finding John Smith on the electoral roll or phone book

Pulaski

But largely pointless in the 21st century!

Pay attention, I already conceded that:

kimilseung

Isn't this just the cost of doing business? Just about any avenue seems more trouble than it is worth, unless it is for the vengeance value.

not2old

On the basis they skipped town 'owing you the month's rent' that you hadn't got up front [first & last], then I would write it off as bad debt on the basis you will likely spend more time, effort & your own money chasing them down & in the end likely not collect it... just saying

If they skipped town without giving you notice, [repeat] same as above.

I suppose that you weren't using a property manager or realtor to collect the rent or manage the care or maintenance of the place eh?

When renting out to someone, I say to always factor in loss, damage, vacancy, late or missed rents - then, with a tenant knowing you the property owner are an absentee landlord (especially one that is over 4000 miles away) - just imagine the unimaginable

Pulaski

Yes it is It is. Life is probably too short to bother with that.

BristolUK

Nope, not at all. Officials regularly being disciplined, sacked etc for unauthorised checking.
Guilty as charged.

Pulaski

I am not saying it doesn't happen. I am saying it is pointless. There is enough publically available data to make doing illegal things mostly unnecessary. In other words, there is a legal way to get the same information, which is often quicker, easier, and cheaper than the illegal way.

scrubbedexpat091

First and last months rent is not allowed in every province.

Siouxie

For Alberta, a 1 month Security Deposit is normally required.

"A security deposit is money you pay the landlord before moving in and is usually equal to one month's rent. The landlord keeps the deposit in case you damage the property, do not pay the rent or leave without cleaning properly."

Wouldn't that offset the loss of income for the last month?

Security Deposits

macarre

Thank you for the replies. Yes, I had a deposit (1 month). But don't think there is going to be any money left after deductions.

Tirytory

All of what Bristol said is kind of what I meant...

BristolUK

Well I gave an extreme example with John Smith but even with less common names you'll find an awful lot of them that you'll find impossible to narrow down without something else to go on. I'd have had a far better chance of success when I had full access to DWP systems.

Perhaps the OP could hire your services.

Pulaski

I would hope that having rented a property to them you would already have "more to go on", including but not confined to, spouse/partner name, date of birth, DL/passport number, alternative contact address, and references.

BristolUK

Seriously? Not that a passport or driving licence number is much use if you're not using resources you don't have the right to use.

Ignoring that the Canadian licence is probably of little use to finding someone in the UK.

After a tenant of mine left I discovered she and her boyfriend had FIVE aliases between them.

Come off it...what about all those people who are known by their middle name; or Danny isn't short for Daniel but David; Or Dick really is Dick and not Richard; Or Rick could be Ricardo or Richard; Or maybe they're like my dad who was a Bill but neither Bill nor William was any part of his name; My mum is known by her middle name and a shortened version of it at that; How about Fred...is that Frederick, Freddie or Fredericka? George/Georgina; Henry/Harry; Margaret/Maggie/Meg or even Peggy.....the variations are endless.

Believe me, when part of your job has involved tracing people you discover all these complications.