Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
Personal Finance
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated 3 months ago, 09/03/2024

User Stats

15
Posts
12
Votes
Zachary Engen
12
Votes |
15
Posts

Business bank account or personal acct

Zachary Engen
Posted

I need some advice on rental bank accounts. So I have an llc and business account set up for that llc, but I just bought a duplex with an fha loan which isn't in the llc because I couldn't get fha approved for the llc. Do I still use my business accounts to collect rent for my duplex even though it's not held in the llc? Or do I just open up an additional business account in my name?

User Stats

119
Posts
78
Votes
Nicholas Mann
Pro Member
  • Valhalla, NY
78
Votes |
119
Posts
Nicholas Mann
Pro Member
  • Valhalla, NY
Replied

Maybe set up the LLC as a property management account and use that to operate your rental business. My rental LLCs with my bank dot necessarily tie into the property being purchased under that LLC name. It's really just a rent/expense account to keep track do BOOKEEPING.

  • Nicholas Mann
  • User Stats

    3,986
    Posts
    2,340
    Votes
    Michael Smythe
    Property Manager
    • Property Manager
    • Metro Detroit
    2,340
    Votes |
    3,986
    Posts
    Michael Smythe
    Property Manager
    • Property Manager
    • Metro Detroit
    Replied

    @Zachary Engen agree with @Nicholas Mann

    • Michael Smythe
    business profile image
    Logical Property Management
    0.0 star
    0 Reviews
    PropStream logo
    PropStream
    |
    Sponsored
    Nationwide property data Use our robust, multi-sourced data to find off-market properties and close your next deal.

    User Stats

    12
    Posts
    3
    Votes
    Bryce Andrews
    • Rental Property Investor
    • 100% Remote
    3
    Votes |
    12
    Posts
    Bryce Andrews
    • Rental Property Investor
    • 100% Remote
    Replied

    @Zachary Engen I would open up and additional account to keep things separate. This will keep things cleaner for bookkeeping and for when tax time comes around.

    User Stats

    95
    Posts
    65
    Votes
    Todd Lennig
    Pro Member
    • Accountant
    • New York
    65
    Votes |
    95
    Posts
    Todd Lennig
    Pro Member
    • Accountant
    • New York
    Replied

    @Zachary Engen. If the new property isn't owned by the llc then you will not want to put the income in the bank account nor pay expenses from it.  This is called commingling and its a big no no with bookkeepers and cpas.  I suggest to all my bookkeeping clients to open up a separate bank account for this property.  I further recommend, having an income, expense, property tax accounts at the very least.  Check out profit first and profit first for real estate investors for more info on those accounts.

    Send me a dm if you or anyone else has a question.

  • Todd Lennig
  • [email protected]
  • (607) 283-4499
  • User Stats

    315
    Posts
    157
    Votes
    Max Emory
    Tax & Financial Services
    • Accountant
    • 100% Remote
    157
    Votes |
    315
    Posts
    Max Emory
    Tax & Financial Services
    • Accountant
    • 100% Remote
    Replied

    @Zachary Engen, I agree with @Todd Lennig. We see this type of situation a lot with REIs and I've experienced this myself as an REI.

    Keep personal personal and business business as far as entities, ownership of assets, and financial accounts go. 

    I understand that the duplex is a "business activity" but you own it personally so the financial accounts associated with it should be personal accounts. 

    To stay organized, open up new personal accounts that you only use for your REI activities.

    I'm a huge fan of Profit First as well. Highly recommend it.

    Best of luck!

    business profile image
    Time Capital Bookkeeping & CFO Solutions
    5.0 stars
    13 Reviews

    User Stats

    7
    Posts
    2
    Votes
    Replied

    What state are you located in? You'll definitely want to open a separate account so you're not commingling for book keeping purposes. If you have an LLC, I would even suggest putting your investment property under your LLC. Do you plan on acquiring more than 1 property?

    User Stats

    181
    Posts
    101
    Votes
    Markus Shobe
    • Accountant
    • Indianapolis, IN
    101
    Votes |
    181
    Posts
    Markus Shobe
    • Accountant
    • Indianapolis, IN
    Replied

    Open up an additional account to keep everything separate, never want to commingle funds.