All Forum Posts by: Ananth Subramanian

Hi Everyone, the last one month has been the most stressful in my life as I have to deal with a problematic tenant. These people were not on time when it comes to paying rent and have several thousand dollars due including last month's rent.
Fortunately for me their lease was ending soon and I have already notified them through a letter sent through USPS and later through FedEx. They were not happy with it and would never respond to my texts and voice calls. 
I was told through a text message they would not pay the dues and said it is going to go to their new place and that they are going to move out on a day that is 3 days from now . I was happy at least they are going and wrote off their dues. The lease is ending in a couple of days and when we texted them about the time of their move out, a blunt reply "End of the day" came through. When asked if we can stop by between 6 and 6:30 p.m. the answer was they would not done with moving by then. So we relaxed a bit and asked if we can come over by 10 p.m. and the answer was, "IDK when we will be done". Just imagine the frustration we would have gone through. We were still trying to be calm and composed as we did not want to ruffle the feathers. To end the conversation we asked a question about where the tenant would leave the key when they are done. There was no response and we followed up again this morning and asked if they found a secure place to leave the key or else we offered to send them a lock box. However, until I write this there has been no response. I am thinking of stopping by the property on that day the tenant promised to move and see for myself if the move is happening. If I do not see them moving is it appropriate for me to knock at the door? In the event the tenant starts moving my plan is to just wait on the curbside and when done would like to go up to them and ask for the key. I thought about another situation wherein the tenant moves out much earlier than they promised and take the key along with them. Would it be appropriate for me to rekey or is it illegal?  I request this forum to advise how to proceed. 

As initially mentioned I am too much stressed out and already lost a few pounds weight.

Thanks

Thanks everyone for your response. I did try to reach them in person but the tenant refused to see me. They sent me a text message saying they will be moving out early next month that is good indication. But I was told that I will not receiving my dues and the rent for this month. This is a bummer. I was so nice and kind to them allowing flexible rent payments but not sure why I had to encounter such a rude behavior from the tenant. Anyways I have gone ahead and file a small claims case.

Hello, when you say 15 30 are you referring to the days?

Hello Andy, what do you mean by cash for keys?

Am I the only one having the problem of rental collection. One of my tenants is evading me when asked about rental dues and unpaid rent. They don’t answer my text or phone and requesting a time for a conversation goes unheeding. Can someone advise how to deal with this situation? Is pressing for eviction the only alternative?

That was my question to the forum. Do you mean to say people in the warmer climate care less about having a garage?

Hi @Jonathan Robinson, thanks for your response. There does exist a shed in the backyard for storing stuff.

Hi Nathan, thanks for your response. Yes the comps have garages. The house has a driveway that can accommodate two cars. Would you think adding a carport could help and also increase the value of the property when I decide to sell this say 5 years from now? At that time will the absence of garage come back to haunt me or the carport would do?

Hello, I have chosen a house in Mesquite, TX. This is a 1796 sqft, 4 bed, 2 baths and 1986 built. The house looks good from an inspection perspective and it satisfies what I wanted from a house.  The house had previously a garage but it got converted to a bed room and an adjoining office room and also it satisfies all city requirements. The house is priced at 280K. 
There are a couple of things where I need someone's advice whether I am making the right decision and also the house is worth its price.

1. My question is, should I be going for this investement property that does not have a garage

2. Also the house does not have an underground sprinkler system.

Thanks,