Skip to content
×
Try PRO Free Today!
BiggerPockets Pro offers you a comprehensive suite of tools and resources
Market and Deal Finder Tools
Deal Analysis Calculators
Property Management Software
Exclusive discounts to Home Depot, RentRedi, and more
$0
7 days free
$828/yr or $69/mo when billed monthly.
$390/yr or $32.5/mo when billed annually.
7 days free. 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.
General Landlording & Rental Properties
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 8 months ago on . Most recent reply

User Stats

7
Posts
0
Votes
Sonny Dong
0
Votes |
7
Posts

Managing entrance on Duplex?

Sonny Dong
Posted

Securing a duplex and house hacking one side. Each side is 3/2.5. Would it be wise to install a RING doorbell to monitor who goes in and out of the unit since I would be renting out by room? (renting out by room would net me better cashflow). It isn't in the best side of town and worried about unwarranted guests being brought by tenants. Can I add this in the lease agreement? In addition are utilities usually paid by tenants? The weather is very hot and water is expensive down here in Texas. Would one - most senior tenant - be responsible to take care of the utilities, collecting payment from other tenants? 

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

14,479
Posts
11,165
Votes
Theresa Harris
Pro Member
#3 Managing Your Property Contributor
11,165
Votes |
14,479
Posts
Theresa Harris
Pro Member
#3 Managing Your Property Contributor
Replied

You can put a ring doorbell on your unit (ie where you live) and monitor it.

If you are renting the other unit by the room, include utilities in the price of the rent because there is no way you are going to get one of the tenants to be in charge of it when renting by the room.  I would also include a weekly cleaning service of the common areas (again included in the rent, so paid for by tenants indirectly).  This will give you someone in the unit itself on a weekly basis.  Tenants would still have to tidy up after themselves and do their dishes and such. If a room has their own bathroom, obviously that would not be part of the cleaner's responsibility as they would not be entering any of the private spaces.

Renting by the room will get you more money, but will also require more work on your part as there will be personality clashes (do not get involved in those).

  • Theresa Harris
  • Loading replies...