What legal action happens when you can't pay a rent to own place?

I have a few item from Aarons rent to own. I am almost done paying them off, about 3 more months. I had a bunch of thigs happen this last month or so and have not paid the payment for Aug. and in 2 days Sept is due. I keep avoiding their calls and have moved so they can't pick up the items, what legal action can they take? I am planning on making a "lump payment" in like a month (all that is past due) but I am scared to contact them because they wiil want to come take it and I can't pay them right now. Although I know this is wrong, I just can't handle the idea of them taking these things back, I have invested over $2500 already, and with 3 months remaining, well, you get the picture. Please I don't need a lecture, I know they have the right to the property, and I WILL pay them, but if they don't hear from me for another month, what are their legal options?? Will it go to collections and be on my credit? Or will the police come arrest me for theft or something????

I'm not sure about where your from but in Florida there is a state law making it a FELONY to keep the merchandise from the company. (Section 812.155) I'm not sure how long Aaron's will take to file charges, but at the rent to own shop i work for we file criminal charges after 3 weeks of non payment so you might want to discuss the account with that store manager.

<>You have, at this point, legally committed theft by removing the items from their known location. Therefore, if they find you they could have you arrested. Barring that, they have probably already issued a negative report on your credit. Even if you pay the items off, they could take action against you for breach of contract. You should not have moved the items. You should get in contact with them and explain your circumstances; that might offset legal charges and they might even be persuaded to work out the situation and negate the bad credit report.

Well, sine you have absoncded (left) and they don't know where their items let alone you are at, they can and probably have already filed theft charges on you. If thei items are over $1,000.00 it is classified as a felony. I understand that you want to keep the things, most places will keep them until your payment is caught back up or you pay them off in full. Not telling you what you should do, but i wouldn't be afraid to bet that there is a warrant awaiting your arrest for theft. I hope I am wrong!

Best to go through an attorney. Call local Bar Association for a referral and you can consult a lawyer for about $30 for 1/2 hour.

I don't know about legal action but my guess is if you apologize and pay what little you can now that they may be able to extend things for you. I had a friend who did the rent to own thing and due to business issues she was frequently upgrading or downgrading what she had or taking things back and they kept getting her business back by offering little $200 credits and such. Compared to their usual customers (generally people with bad credit who tend to be irresponsible) you with just 3 months until owning your items seem really consistent. Paying what little you can can also probably keep you out of legal trouble. My boyfriends parents were poor, didn't have health insurance (and there were no social programs around to help back then) and just recently (their in their 60s) paid off their medical bills for having their 11 children. Every pay period his parents sent money towards the bills, sometimes as little as a dollar, but they didn't get into legal problems because of it. There is no guarantee that your situation will resolve itself as happily but I honestly think calling them and paying what little you can is your best bet.

Worst case scenerio:

The Lease/Option Agreement usually has a default clause. If the tenant/buyer does not pay the rent as agreed in the Lease Agreement, the Option Agreement is null and void, and the Earnest Money Deposit is forfeited by the tenant/buyer. Also, you may get a negative report on your credit record. Especially if you leave without talking with the landlord/owner.


But if you talk to them, you might be able to work out some sort of deal. They're not psychic, and have no way to know your situation unless you talk to them.

Even if they won't work with you on payments and such, at least if you let them know you're having trouble, you won't mess up your credit if you default gracefully.

for more details on lease/option contracts, check out this site:

http://www.homerentalads.com/leasepurcha...

Terms may vary in your state, but these are the basics that pertain everywhere. Good idea, too, is to go back and read your contract/lease.