All Forum Posts by: Ann B.

@Michael Tomasino. Thanks for the response. Is it normal practice for PMs to ask for additional funds to add to the deposit when rent is also increased? As for collecting the fee and relationship, they have already charged a fee at least two other times in the past, so it will not just be $40 this time. It's my fault for not realizing it then, but I may want/need to start addressing it now. 

I have two questions for your opinions and comments. The scenario: Tenant pays $500 deposit upon move-in. Throughout the years of tenancy, the rent has increased to $600 per month, but the deposit wasn’t ever increased. Tenant moves out (legally) without paying the last month’s rent and leaves about $300 in cleaning fees and damages.

1. Does the security/ damage deposit apply FIRST to the unpaid rent or the cleaning fees and damages?

2. If the deposit first applies to the unpaid rent, is it really fair for the management company to deduct their fees when they DIDN’T actually collect the rent?

So, I looked at a house today with the heirs. Apparently the decreased father (mean old man) had been dead for 1 1/2 years (in addition to the pet cat) before the daughter was contacted! Yes, we noticed the house was in disrepair, but it was always that way. The mail was dropped through a slot so the mail delivery person never noticed it piling up. Do you want to hear the worst part?! Someone had broken in through the back slider door and stole anything and everything of value, in which there was apparently a lot of gold and rare coins, crystals, and cash. We still may hope to purchase this house, but there is definitely an unpleasant odor. I don't think fresh- baked brownies can cover this up. Yes, this is for real. 

So, I looked at a house today with the heirs. Apparently the decreased father (mean old man) had been dead for 1 1/2 years (in addition to the pet cat) before the daughter was contacted! Yes, we noticed the house was in disrepair, but it was always that way. The mail was dropped through a slot so the mail delivery person never noticed it piling up. Do you want to hear the worst part?! Someone had broken in through the back slider door and stole anything and everything of value, in which there was apparently a lot of gold and rare coins, crystals, and cash. We still may hope to purchase this house, but there is definitely an unpleasant odor. I don't think fresh- baked brownies can cover this up. Yes, this is for real. 

Hello BP Community. Can you share you what you do (if anything) leading up to lease renewals i.e. verifying information such as phone numbers, email, employment/income, inspection of unit and occupants?

For those who have a Property Management Company, what is included in your lease renewal fee and do you need to pay extra for certain services i.e. if you want a property inspection?

Thanks!

@Brandon Sturgill. Thank you for commenting and providing great suggestions. I will print these questions and take it with me in case I forget anything.

Next week we will be meeting with the out-of-state heirs on a house. Since the house is in our neighborhood, we know it’s been vacant for a few years and the exterior shows some signs of deferred maintenance i.e. falling roof gutter. We know the deceased has owned the house since at least 2000, there are two years of unpaid taxes, and the heirs are working with a local attorney. We don’t know yet about the interior conditions and if there is a will. Our questions for the BP Community – How can we buy the house from the heirs before it’s listed for sale with the court (and thus public information)? Can we offer to pay the debts owned and purchase with seller-financing? Do you have other suggestions on working with the heirs and/or the probate process?

We have a tenant who has been in possession since at least 2006. He is insisting on new paint in his two-bedroom apartment. However 1) He says he has allergies/sensitives to standard paint so he has requested a special paint. We usually pay approximately $30/gallon, but the special paints cost approximately $70/gallon. Is it right and fair for us to ask him to pay the difference? 2) His apartment is SO cluttered with furniture and knick-knacks that it's nearly impossible to move around. Again, shouldn't he move/remove items so painters can do their job? We had offered two other vacancies to him (across the hall and upstairs), but he didn't want to move. In my opinion, these were even nicer units. How would you respond? Thanks.

@Eamonn McElroy. Thanks for the response. I really appreciate the explanation and guidance.

Hello. We had one tenant who overstayed his welcome (and his lease) last year. Due to COVID-19, court closures, resulting heavy dockets, and attempts of mediation, we lost eight months of rent plus added eviction fees. Are we able to account for this on our taxes for 2020?