new landlord/"new property" low rents and no security deposit

new landlord/"new property" low rents and no security deposit

Member since 2018 · 2 posts · 0 votes

New investor here "closed today" on a duplex...YAY!!!  I want to make sure I am taking the correct steps. Current tenants have low rents and seller did not require a security deposit. To cover my butt I realize I need to obtain a security deposit and increase the rents. One tenant has lived in one side of the property for 30 years (very low rent) the other for nearly 10 years (close to market rates). Seller says both tenants have been great so I would hate to loose them bc their security deposit would make their monthly july rent double. The property does make a minimal monthly profit but not near market rate.  

excuse: I also teach school, coach and of course limited funds... so time is limited in updating the property and finding new tenants could be challenging if tenants would decide to move. Would love some suggestions:

1.  Raise the rent to market, require a security deposit take my chance on losing the tenants?

2.  Slightly raise rents require a security deposit? 

3.  Leave rents where they are require a security deposit and hope tenants stay for another year? 

30 years in one spot...makes this decision a little difficult. Yes I want to be a savvy investor but not a total jerk either.  ANY suggestions would be GREAT!!!

Thank you,

Bryan 

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  • Real Estate Broker · Fairfield, CT · Member since 2015 · 312 posts · 231 votes
    7y

    Congrats on closing! 

    The security deposit bit is easy - offer them to pay it over the next 6 months (or 3, or 12 - but I don't suggest 12). You get two things out of this - it buys you some time with them staying (and it sounds like you hoped/planned on some tenant stability), AND they get used to paying a bit more.

    Now you can't just show up and demand a security deposit - that has to be accompanied by a lease. It sounds like your tenants are well off their last leases (which is a shame - even if your lease converts to month to month per the terms, always sign renewals and keep them current). So go in, offer them a 12 month lease with the security deposit broken up over the first 6 months, then they get the next 6 months at their old rent... and 90 days prior to that lease's expiry, let them know that the rent will be increasing at renewal.

    My 2c anyways...

  • Member since 2018 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    7y

    Awesome, thanks Travis for the info. That was exactly my thoughts, slightly raise the rents and spread the deposit out over 6 months. It's great to hear someone else have the same tjought process so I don't feel I am totally off base. Happy medium and hopefully they may stay!

    Appreciate the input... thanks

  • Rental Property Investor · TN · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    7y

    Really think about that security deposit.  What will you be using as baseline to know if something was damaged?  

    I they were there for 30 years, everything has been depreciated to zero!

    If you start over with an inspection now, well, bet the units are a total disaster and mess with long term tenants.  Will you accept it back in the condition it is in now and return the deposit?

    How can you prove anything to withhold the deposit when they leave?

    If it were me, I'd forget the deposit and work on increasing the rent.  

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