All Forum Posts by: Anna Fuchs

Thanks everyone for your input. At this point we're going to go forward with a showing for this potential tenant knowing that worst case scenario is we have the 4 kids moving in with him full time. Also appreciate the HUD +1 rule insight - I usually just allow 2 person/bedroom.

Hi, I'd love some opinions. I have a potential applicant for a 2 bedroom townhouse that I'm renting that fits all requirements except one concern. He's divorced/separated and he will be the only adult on the lease. He let me know his 4 kids will be spending many weekends there. This puts us over the 2 person/room rule. Initially my thought is to say no before running an application, but I'm wondering if it's not a big deal because they are more "guests" than full time residents? Has anyone navigated a similar situation before? Thanks!

Thanks for bringing this up. I'm curious if you ended up letting this be or not? I have a similar situation but am aware of it due to other tenant complainting, so not sure how to proceed. Would love to hear how this is progressing for you. Thanks!

Question: Our lease clearly states only occupants on lease are allowed to live there, and I made that extremely clear to our incoming tenants verbally and in writing. I'm hearing from another tenant that one of mine has moved in a sig other and possibly a mother too. I have no problem enforcing our lease and threatening/going through with eviction, however I'm curious how I would prove that she has additional adults living with her. Has anyone had a strategy that works to test out if others are living in the unit with the tenant? Thanks!

Great to hear. We will have one time charges too as we need to keep shared utilities in our name even though tenants will be responsible, so that another factor I like with Cozy. Hearing success stories makes me comfortable using this going forward, so thanks to everyone for your input. I was thrilled when my brand new tenant brought up paying electronically for ease and to ensure it is on time (if it comes from her on time, I don't mind a couple day delay on Cozy's side!). 

Thanks! I hadn't heard of Cozy and I just looked it up and it seems to be exactly what we need. Appreciate the insight!

Hi, I'm a new landlord and working through my processes on payment, etc with 2 new tenants in a duplex. We had anticipated having payments made via check to our PO Box. One tenant brought up that in the past she had used an app called Square Cash to make payments to a prior landlord and also to family members etc and was extremely happy with the app. Has anyone used Square Cash or Vimeo (or a similar process) with their tenants? The upside I see is more timely payments and no checks "lost in the mail". The downside I fear is that if there are any issues with getting the cash/remediation, there is going to be little customer support that we'd normally get from a traditional bank, etc. If anyone has experiences - good or bad! - I'd love to hear your input. Thanks!

Great question - we had the exact same thing happen a couple weeks ago. We gave them a paper application, so we didn't get in trouble with discrimination, but had anticipated denying any application received (they never submitted). I'd love to hear if anyone else has thoughts on this, or a better way to handle. Agreed that them coming to a showing like this just shows a lack of respect and responsibility in a prospective tenant. Thanks!

My husband and I just bought our first duplex. We have the option for a Home Service Plus plan through Centerpoint Energy to repair all appliances 24/7 for a monthly fee (about $40 monthly). We're trying to determine if it's worth the peace of mind knowing that it's a repair plan (not replace). Has anyone else used this service or something similar? Looking for any insights. Thanks!