Newish Landlord Questions

[Will Baker]

I'm currently leasing out my 2 bed/2.5 bath town home in a really nice area to my current tenants for a base rent of $950. I'm assuming they will not resign another lease because this will be the third resign should they decided they want re-up again. My town home is almost completely renovated aside from a few indoor aesthetic changes that need to take place. What my question is, is would it be best to included utilities (~$150-$200/monthly) and high speed (300 Mbps plus for $75/monthly) internet into the rent while charging $1500-$1600/monthly? Area is great for young professionals/ college students right next to the second largest research park in America and a university is less than a 5 minute drive away. Thinking about making the security deposit a full months rent and half due at signing and the other half due with the first month of rent.... Does this sound like a good plan?

[Thomas S.]

Never take any payments due after handing over keys. Up front, in full, in cash.

Never include utilities with the rent unless you have no other choice.

Never rely on lease language to protect you from legal action. 

Lease language is only of value if the tenant respects the lease.

Law enforcement does not care about your lease.

Never assume doing favours will pay dividends.

No good deed goes unpunished.