Need Some Advice Please

[Steve J.]

Hello BP,

So I made my first deal a few months ago which is a single family I will house hack. There’s a finished basement that I will live in.

I made a mistake and accepted tenants upstairs that I shouldn’t have accepted. Two days after they moved in, she texted me saying there was an “infestation” of roaches in the house but when I bought the house a month ago there was an inspection done which said there were no pests. I asked for a picture of the “infestation” and she sent me pictures of 3 roaches. . she is also complaining about the drainage of the water in her tub. My guess is that she brought roaches with her while moving in but per the lease I am responsible for pest control. I know I have to take care of the “slow water drainage” but since I have an inspection dated less than 2 months ago that states there were no pests, and I am certain there weren’t, can I make her handle the roaches she brought?

Secondly, I worked with an agent on finding tenants instead of a true PM which was the worst decision I could’ve made. This applicant listed her employer as out of state and initially had her income below the requirement. When I asked my agent about this, she went back to the applicant who explained her employer is headquartered out of state but she works in a local office her and she “made a mistake” on her income. She corrected it, and the “correction” put her above the minimum requirement. Today in conversation with the tenant she said “I haven’t received any pay in 3 months, and have been living off savings”. I sent an email to the agent and asked if there was any verification of employment or income done and she responded that there wasn’t. They only did a credit and background check.

As it stands now do I have any recourse against the agent who brought this applicant to me? I do not think she will be able to keep up with rent as it was a hassle getting the security deposit and first months rent but at that point we already had a signed lease so I couldn’t back out. Initially I was going to self manage but given that this is a “problem tenant” who complains, makes excuses, lies, and probably doesn’t truly meet the income requirement I’ve decided to hire a PM now in case an eviction happens.

I was excited to get started but had no idea that tenants can be like this. I am trying to stay positive but am concerned that I’ll be in a basement where the tenant upstairs is dirty and has roaches that will probably seep into the basement as well. Just looking for some advice on the whole situation here.