In my experience, many of these folks do not file for the PFD because they don't want to be found, don't have a permanent address or PO box or they already owe so much money in previous judgments that it might take a lifetime to collect on your particular judgment. Plus, small claims court is no guarantee you will recover any or some money. Been through it twice with tenants, it's a lot of work, a bit of money, and the "magistrate", now a full-fledged judge, felt it wasn't 'fair' to totally penalize the tenant (caulked and puttied the entire walls/ceiling of his apartment because he thought someone was spying on him from above) and split the difference, giving us half of what it cost us to repair and replace. Saw the same thing happen twice before our case came up for hearing so seems to be the way of justice in our neck of the wood.