All Forum Posts by: Amy Beth

@Luke H. I am not in Texas so not sure about specific laws in your state. But generally you can’t discriminate against service animals or tell an applicant that you do not accept them. They are also not pets so you can’t charge extra. You can charge for damages though from the service animals. You can also require documentation that the animal is a service animal.

However, you are not required to accept the applicant with a service animal if you find a more suitable applicant. Perhaps another applicant will have more income, better credit, better landlord reference, etc? So you are not stuck taking someone just because they have a service animal.

@Carol Venolia. I would not agree to this. Puppies are destructive to a property. To avoid having this problem, we require proof that all pets are spayed or neutered before accepting the tenant. I would suggest that you do this going forward.

@Frank Sanchez. I would just list the property again and do not take down the listing until you have both a signed lease and have collected the first months rent and security deposit. I would not hold your property with an approved application again. If the tenant wants it enough they will pay for it and sign the lease.

@Zantiago Zurita. I would just say no. There is too much risk involved in allowing it. The only downside in’s aging no is that the tenant may leave but tenants are replaceable. Just tell the tenant no for liability reasons. Let them know that your insurance will go up too much with a pool.

@Joanna Brumley. I would wait until you move since it is a new industry and it does not sound like you will be paid much. This potential job change could keep you from being approved for a mortgage.

@Tanner Kier. Encourage your friend to write out a monthly budget and budget put every dollar that they bring in. And they should find ways to cut out gems which are not necessities so skipping eating out and cooking meals instead for instance. And perhaps your friend can pick up extra hours at work to bring in more money. Your friend needs to find a way to get more money to throw at the debt ASAP.

@Charlie Moore. It depends on the rules of your town/city. I would look it up online. Where I live you can either put out items that you mention on bulk trash day which is only once a year or you can call the township and they will schedule a day when you can have it picked up but they charge you a fee for that. Or you can load it up in your vehicle and take it to county dump for free with a local address on the drivers license. When we were remodeling we made a few trips to the dump ourselves. We would be ticketed if we just left it outside.

@Chad Bailey. Applicant one is an easy no since the applicant lied. You caught them in one lie so who knows what else the applicant is lying about.

Applicant two is unlikely unless you are desperate. I would accept more applicants and if this is the tenant pool in your area then check the credit of the second applicant and see how he stacks up against the other applicants.

@Kylynne Kennedy. You are not going to be able to force them to keep their cats inside. I would simply inform them that you are not renewing their lease. Then treat it for fleas after they leave.

For your dog I would give him or her nexguard from your vet. It is packaged like a treat and you give it to your dog monthly. We don’t have fleas but we use it with our dog since dogs can pick up fleas outside and we don’t want our dog to have fleas. Out dog loves it because he thinks he is getting a treat.

@Jennifer Rysdam. I would file for eviction today and try to get a judgment ASAP. If the tenant is truly buying a house they will need to pay the judgment, which can include your lawyer’s fees, to close on their new house.