All Forum Posts by: Alan Grobmeier

$500 pet fee which includes a 'pet application' that the tenant fills out.

Quote from @James Hamling:

Quote from @Alan Grobmeier:

Quote from @Nathan Gesner:

I'm a Veteran. In fact, I'm a disabled Veteran that served 21 years. I have actual combat experience, on the ground, face-to-face with the enemy. Does that somehow make my opinion more valid?

I'm a licensed REALTOR, owner of 33 rentals and 135 storage units, manager of 400 residential rentals and 350 storage units, a member of NARPM, and I've spent more time studying Fair Housing and Service Animal laws than I can count.

Truth is truth. It's not defined by someone's military service or even the designations after their name. The Applicant is supposed to reveal the presence of a service animal and request a special accommodation. The Landlord has a right to verify the request. This applicant did not give the Landlord the opportunity and the Landlord found someone else in the meantime. The Applicant can file a complaint, but I see no evidence the Landlord discriminated against the applicant.

Ppl don’t ‘forget’ they have an ESA.  I’ll take an application.  If they say they have an esa after the application us received, I DQ them based on fraudulent information on original application.  I accept its pets, so if you try to screw me after the fact, we are pretty much done.  Never had it happen, yet.  ;-)

No.... Details MATTER. O.P. specially stated these renters have a Service Animal, which is a completely different thing from an ESA. 

 I specifically ask applicants when I meet them IF they have an animal of ANY kind. If they lie to me, we are done.

Quote from @Thomas Balielan:

Quote from @Alan Grobmeier:

Fwiw, I never rent to ppl that I don’t meet in person at the house.  I want to make sure the house is what they want & where they want.  I also possess a great ‘bs’ detector.  ;-)

 Thank you for your advice. Do you mind sharing your great BS detector? Thank you

I ask open-ended questions & listen a lot.  God gave us 2 ears & one mouth for a reason.  Ppl will basically tell you why you shouldn’t rent to them. ;-)

Ask about their job, school, family, school, animals, military service (if applicable).  Find something in common w them that will get them talking.  Then compare what they told you w the written application.

Then run the checks.

If the person if not ‘legit’, you will know.  ;-)

I decline ppl for lying to me.  ;-)  I’ve either seen it or done it, you won’t surprise me.  ;-) 

Quote from @Nathan Gesner:

I'm a Veteran. In fact, I'm a disabled Veteran that served 21 years. I have actual combat experience, on the ground, face-to-face with the enemy. Does that somehow make my opinion more valid?

I'm a licensed REALTOR, owner of 33 rentals and 135 storage units, manager of 400 residential rentals and 350 storage units, a member of NARPM, and I've spent more time studying Fair Housing and Service Animal laws than I can count.

Truth is truth. It's not defined by someone's military service or even the designations after their name. The Applicant is supposed to reveal the presence of a service animal and request a special accommodation. The Landlord has a right to verify the request. This applicant did not give the Landlord the opportunity and the Landlord found someone else in the meantime. The Applicant can file a complaint, but I see no evidence the Landlord discriminated against the applicant.

Ppl don’t ‘forget’ they have an ESA.  I’ll take an application.  If they say they have an esa after the application us received, I DQ them based on fraudulent information on original application.  I accept its pets, so if you try to screw me after the fact, we are pretty much done.  Never had it happen, yet.  ;-)

Imho a vast number of the ESA applications are fraudulent because many LL have no pet policies.

I am in AZ & most properties are on cement slabs.  As a result, I allow pets.  Eventually, after my first tenant, 3-5+ years after purchase, the carpet is destroyed.  I then put ceramic tile throughout the whole house.  I’m then ‘good to go’ for the next 20+ years.  ;-)

A way ‘around’ your esa is to ask for an ‘animal application’ that you will have reviewed by an attorney to determine validity.

I have never had anyone apply w ESA after I tell them there will be additional screening.  They seem to go away.  I’ve had a number of esa apps, but they are dq’d on credit/income.  I’m guessing I’ve just been ‘lucky’.  ;-)

Fwiw, I never rent to ppl that I don’t meet in person at the house.  I want to make sure the house is what they want & where they want.  I also possess a great ‘bs’ detector.  ;-)

Each state has its own disclosure laws w regards to death on property.  Some don’t require any seller disclosure.

Meth/drug falls into a different catagory.  I wouldn’t do a meth/drug house due to the fact I don not have experience.  Eradication can be expensive.  And if you have a tenant that comes down w some type of respiratory issue, you could be sued.

Death I’d do.  Meth/drugs, nope.

Hope that helps, ;-)

Alan

I think a bigger concern is where are all these ppl going to park their cars?  Maybe I’m missing something?

Quote from @Ralph Pombo:

As a side note to this conversation, tell me how income tax would work on a sub-to property. Does the seller retain all interest write offs? Does the buyer still get depreciation, write offs for maintenance, other write offs? Sorry, but this is my first sub-to purchase.

The 1098 mortgage interest paperwork would be in the name of the seller.  You need that document to know what taxes & insurance were paid.

I think you ‘own’ the property when the docs are signed.  As a result, depreciation is yours as of that date.

In any event, speak to a title company & a cpa.

best of luck!

Landlording on Autopilot by Mike Butler.  Very good book for new landlords & even some extra ideas for experienced landlords.  Well worth the $25 I paid.  ;-)