Rental house with no maintenance?

General Landlording & Rental Properties
13yFollow

Rental house with no maintenance?

Aaron Abdis
Long Island, NY · Member since 2013 · 2 posts · 1 vote

My wife and I are renting a small house (it is literally a built up beach bungalow). "Two" bedrooms (one which would not even hold a queen size bed it is so small). They want to charge 2000$ a month, which is around average for a full 2BR apartment in the area.

However, that does NOT include utilities (which most in the area do) and they expect us to do ALL the maintenance on the house (from painting and molding to having the chimney rebuilt to replacing the roof and everything in between).

I would say this is HIGHLY unfair, expecting us to pay full and normal rent, but expecting us to pay all the utilities AND all the maintenance and upkeep as if it were our own house.

It seems to me if they do not want to be involved with the property, and do not want to perform their "landlordly" duties, the rent should be steeply discounted... but I have no idea how much. Can anyone provide me with starting points as to how to figure what would be a reasonable rent to pay on a property where you are expected to take on all the responsibility of the property as if it were your own?

Thanks in advance,
Aaron.

0Reply
34 views

Most Popular Reply

Jon Holdman
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
13y

Find a different place to rent. This landlord is looking for a sucker.

6Reply
See this reply in the discussion

20 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • George P.
    Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    13y

    that's crazy. absolutely crazy. my tenants have a burned light bulb and i go and replace it. i was called last week to unclog the sewer line because the washing machine backed up and i purchased and gave them 2 lint traps ($3.40).

    you can do comparisons in your area to see what the other landlords charge and if they do maintenance. i bet you most of them do. who the hell makes the tenant repair a chimney? and who the hell would trust a tenant with the repair of a chimney? i know most people on this board would not.

    good luck..

    1Reply
  • Rick L.
    Investor · Saint Louis, MO · Member since 2013 · 198 posts · 25 votes
    13y

    I wouldn't even ask for a discount on rent. The landlord should be responsible for large maintenance repairs like that. What's a couple hundred dollars off rent per month if the place needs a new roof or new chimney. You might as well buy your own place if you want those responsibilities.

    I tell them to shove it!

    2Reply
  • Bill Robinson
    Investor · Member since 2008 · 41 posts · 8 votes
    13y

    Sounds like you are being asked to overpay on rent as well as take on most of the negatives of home ownership without the benefit.

    3Reply
  • Fran Flanagan
    Investor · North Wales, PA · Member since 2013 · 116 posts · 44 votes
    13y

    I'm a little confused. You're saying that you're currently renting it, "they want to charge you $2000 / month" but what's your current rent? Do you have a lease in place? Did the property recently change owners?

    Prices in New York are insane compared to the rest of the country. Depending on location within the bronx, 2k/month could either be insanely expensive or really cheap. Knowing what your old rent was, will help determine how crazy the new proposal is.

    Regardless, I would never agree to exterior maintenance if I was renting. If the new owner wants to pay you to paint a room or two, I might consider that.

    1Reply
  • Jon Holdman
    Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
    13y

    Find a different place to rent. This landlord is looking for a sucker.

    6Reply
  • Aaron Abdis
    OP
    Long Island, NY · Member since 2013 · 2 posts · 1 vote
    13y
    Originally posted by Fran Flanagan:
    I'm a little confused. You're saying that you're currently renting it, "they want to charge you $2000 / month" but what's your current rent? Do you have a lease in place? Did the property recently change owners?

    Well, let's just say it's complicated... the landord is actually my in-laws... we just got married. Bad situation to be in, I know, but for now it is what it is. We haven't actually moved into the house yet. I am trying to come up with something as back-up to argue my case that if we are expected to do full maintenance, then rent needs to be a LOT less.

    Of course, ideally I'd point out that "uh, you know, any other tenant, you'd be expected to actually do your part as landlords and maintain the property"... but I'm trying to be diplomatic with the in-laws.

    Originally posted by Fran Flanagan:
    Prices in New York are insane compared to the rest of the country. Depending on location within the bronx, 2k/month could either be insanely expensive or really cheap. Knowing what your old rent was, will help determine how crazy the new proposal is.

    Well, it seems to be a reasonable amount (stated issues aside) going from what other apartments I see in the area on Zillow.

    Originally posted by Bill Robinson:
    Sounds like you are being asked to overpay on rent as well as take on most of the negatives of home ownership without the benefit.

    Yeah, that's pretty much what it feels like... we are being expected to take on all the negatives of home ownership, with none of the positives, while they get the positives of renting, without the negatives.

    1Reply
  • George P.
    Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    13y

    there is a difference between renting an appt and renting a house. houses are more expensive.

    also, sounds like you dont have the best relationship with the inlaws. a sure way to ruin it further is to become their tenants. i'd run away from this "offer". far away.

    3Reply
  • Jon Holdman
    Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
    13y
    Originally posted by Jon Holdman:
    Find a different place to rent. This landlord is looking for a sucker.

    I think I'll repeat my previous advice. Find a different place to rent. This landlord is looking for a sucker. They want you to pay above market ($2000 + utilities vs. $2000 utilities included) AND take on serious maintenance. Effectively, they want you to pay a premium to live in their property. Their expectations are out of line with the market. Assuming you can actually find an alternative to rent (not just data from zillow), simply show them the alternative and say "I can pay $2000 for this, utilties are included and the landlord maintains it (as a landlord should.) Why do I pay the same to you and take on these extra cost?" Now, perhaps that's the only way to keep peace in the family. In which case the extra costs are just your price for being part of the family.

    3Reply
  • Randy F.
    Contractor · Anchorage, AK · Member since 2012 · 351 posts · 196 votes
    13y

    Wow! As others have said, I'd find a different place. Its possible that they are just clueless and think they are doing a good thing. But its also possible they know exactly what they are doing, and laying this burden on their daughter and new son in law is fine as long as it works for them. I wouldnt risk family problems. Dont walk away... Run away from this non-deal!

    1Reply
  • Fran Flanagan
    Investor · North Wales, PA · Member since 2013 · 116 posts · 44 votes
    13y

    Find a different place to rent.

    My relationship with my inlaws deteriorated significantly when my father in law begged to be our realtor. Trying to preserve family harmony, we gave him a try even though he had 2 deals' experience at that time. He had previously given his wife's cousin a 70% rebate on his commission and promised us the same. Once he got a whiff that my and my wife's income was higher than he previously knew, he smelled money... reneged on the verbal agreement and tried to trick us into signing a broker agreement authorizing him to collect full commission.

    We switched realtors and tried to let it go, but in his mind we wronged him somehow and he thinks we're greedy. The initial unpleasantness that would likely have come from us never giving him a chance would likely be better than the current situaiton of not speaking to one another.

    So what Jon said: rent somewhere else.

    3Reply
  • Ben Hughes
    Investor · Cypress, TX · Member since 2013 · 403 posts · 59 votes
    13y

    Run, very quickly away from this. There is only one result that will come of this and it won't be pretty.

    1Reply
  • Account Closed
    OR · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 845 votes
    13y

    If I could get a better place for a better deal, I would simply rent that. There is no reason to even say anything to the in-laws, except for "no thanks, I found something else to rent"

    I can predict hard feelings if you try to negotiate and I suspect they will be difficult to deal with, in any case. So just bypass problems before they even start.

    0Reply
  • Amanda Kraemer
    Bronx, NY · Member since 2015 · 1 post · 0 votes
    11y

    Truly sorry  need to correct the inaccuracy  in the original post... Internet  stays forever funny about that. As this is my brother in law let me correct some things ... the rent is NOT $2000 dollars  the rent is actually $1000 (actually sometimes less then that) which is more then  reasonable  considering  the fact that he doesn't pay the house's taxes which assuming all are real estate minded  know what taxes are in new York state . ALL changes Cosmetic  Changes ... are done by renter they can paint it what have you.  The chimney repair was done by a professional hired by my sister roof  repair hired  by my sister being paid for by off my parents. So there are two sides to every story .... Aaron  is  getting  a more then fair deal .

    0Reply
  • George P.
    Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    lol lol..  something tells me Aaron won't he invited to this years thanksgiving dinner..  lol

    1Reply
  • Stephen Haynes
    Rocklin, CA · Member since 2015 · 207 posts · 66 votes
    11y

    Don't Rent from Family Just Like don't work with Family. Your In-laws suck!

    1Reply
  • Ken Quagliata
    Construction Superintendent. Broker. General Contractor. · Middle Village, NY · Member since 2015 · 42 posts · 9 votes
    11y

    Hi, I live in long beach and I know how the rents are around here. Just bought a multi here and as a land lord I would love to have a tenant fix everything. Come live here. Haha. Just kidding. But like othe BPers here I get called to change light bulbs. Your situation is a little different because your renting from in laws at market rate, it's like having your best friend come work for you. He's expecting to put his feet up and your expecting him to work 18hrs. But I think there's some negotiation you should be doing. Tell them how you feel and tell them you would feel better if you were partners on the house. Maybe flip the whole thing around and say hey. I'll fix all this stuff but how about putting me on the deed and make it a tenancy in common. This way it's a win win. Their crappy investment gets fixed and gains equity and your rent turns into equity. If you can't rais the bridge lower the water I always say. 

    0Reply
  • JD MartinBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    11y

    Well, this is a very weird thread. The family is airing it out here? 

    I think the OP makes no sense. If the terms seem unfair, rent somewhere else. He hasn't even rented the place yet, so I don't really know what is the issue - just go elsewhere. Pretty simple, really.

    But this does illustrate why you should not mix family/friends and business. 

    Podcast Guest on Show #243
    Skyline Properties
    View Page
    1Reply
  • Michael Boyer
    Investor · Juneau, AK · Member since 2015 · 980 posts · 741 votes
    11y

    I concur with much of the advice (like "run") but it is more complex.

    Here is what I would do for a win/win and try and make lemons out of lemonade (if you are interested in living there).

    Explore buying the place from your in-laws if you want to live there. If you are paying that much a month and they want you to do everything  (and they just want  a monthly check), this situation lends itself to an owner finance situation. I am, however, assuming the in laws own it outright (or may be able to pay the balance off)... Have your own lawyer advise you and write the note and mortgage/trust deed and use a title company and standard documents and filings.

    If that does not work, you just caught a terrible allergy to something in the house and would love to stay but just can't (the allergy was to bad deals, but that is confidential)

    0Reply
  • Jeff Rabinowitz
    Investor/Landlord · Farmington Hills, MI · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    Not only a landlord tenant issue but a family issue being aired on a public forum. Are we going to see posts when the rent is late and a late fee is assessed, a repair is needed, etc.? This looks to be off to a bad start. The OP should find another place to rent and the landlord should find another tenant. Doing business with each other is a bad idea.

    0Reply
  • Barbara G.
    Hartsdale, NY · Member since 2015 · 874 posts · 218 votes
    11y

    The suggestion to buy the place might work.  A lease to buy or owner financing with an acceptable down payment if bank financing is not possible.  What does the family want to do with this house?  It sounds like there is a problem with it as  rental  for you and yor wife so either explore buying it or move on

    Wjy don't you have this conversation with them  offer to buy it.    Or have a lawyer draft your offer  and  discuss it with your  in law's attorney.  Maybe it can be a win win situation

    0Reply
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.
Log InJoin for Free