Tennant Wants to Move in During House Rehab

Tennant Wants to Move in During House Rehab

Real Estate Agent · San Jose, CA · Member since 2015 · 94 posts · 73 votes

Hi All, quick question. I recently purchased a SFR as a rental unit. It needs some work due to termites, old wiring, and plumbing. In the meantime I have a potential renter that says she is willing to move into the home during the rehab. I told her that if she wants to move in early that there may be days or weekends when she cannot stay there, such as during tenting for termites, electrical work etc and she is fine with that.

The deal I offered her was this, I'll give a 50% discount on rent, $600/mo, if she agrees to a 1yr lease. After 1yr rent goes to $1200, she can stay or go at that point. I ran her background, she's good. I have another renter in a studio unit on same property @ $400/mo. Studio does not need work.

My thought was that by having her in the house I will have $600 a month that I otherwise would not have if the house was empty during rehab. This also allows me to do much of the rehab over a longer time period since I will not be rushed to get a tenant.

Any thoughts on this? Am I overlooking something? I think I'm being generous in the discount but she is also willing to live in a house that will have people in and out of it while work is being done. She is single, no pets, just looking for a place to stay closer to her work.

Just throwing the idear to the wind here. Thanks in advance to all who reply!

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Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10y
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  • Investor/Landlord · Farmington Hills, MI · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    Many potential problems. If she doesn't vacate on the day she agreed to and your contractor cannot work are you willing to pay the bill for their time? If not, will the contractor come back? What will you do when she presents you with a hotel bill for a day the property was not available to her? What if she claims some of her belongings are missing? What if the contractor claims some of his equipment is missing? I could go on but I think you get the point. Is this worth $20/day to you?

  • Adam BartomeoBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Cape Coral, FL · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    I would never have a tenant move into a property that isn't 100% completed. I don't even let them look a lot a property that isn't completed.

    As stated above there are too many issues that can arise. Look up some of the posts on this topic and you will see there have been some absolute nightmares that have arose from this type of senerio.

    You might get $7200 in rent but if just one things goes sideways it can cost you tens of thousands in court fees.

    Avoid it at all costs

  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    10y

    What is the timeline for your rehab?  There are some things on your list I would say ok they could move in before complete but not others.   You are essentially paying her $7200 to do this due to the discount and then who pays utilities for your workmen? It is full of challenges.

    Changing electrical panel or changing all the wiring in the walls? replumbing the bathroom? replumbing the kitchen?  When can she stay and when does she go? What about her stuff?   You cannot really live without the bathroom and what is your lease going to say she is renting?  I am not saying it is an all bad idea but it has concerns. I would try to get the rehab done in a timely way and meet somewhere in the middle allowing her to move in prior to completion for a more modest discount but get essentials done before occupancy.  Not sure if you get the bathroom done and rent her a room on a month to month if it solves your issues, also this might not meet her needs.

  • Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y
  • Real Estate Agent · San Jose, CA · Member since 2015 · 94 posts · 73 votes
    10y

    Thanks for the insight everybody! This is why I love this place. Technically the house will be 100% liveable when she moves in. The only time she will have be out is during the tenting for termites which she noted she will stay at her moms house. Im trying to get that done in the next few weeks so hopefully it will be a non issue. 

    The other work that I'm having done is all improvement related, no "construction" type of work. For example the inspector noted that water flow in the bathroom was a little low, I'll have to have that looked at. The house is mostly converted to current grounded wiring but there is still some knob and tube. I want to have ZERO knob and tube. The roof needs some work around the vents where its covered with tape, gotta get that done up right. I'm looking at the rehab as mostly minor inconveniences but still enough that I need to stay in contact with the renter.

    Good ideas here though, got me thinkin!

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