All Forum Posts by: Austin Mountain

Definitely would deny based off of the past eviction and credit score.  Everyone has a different credit score requirement so set yours and stick to it.  There may be some exceptions but this wouldn't be one.  I wouldn't care about DWI's.  Pretty irrelevant.

Difficult time of year right now.  You'd be better off dropping your rental price rather than dropping your standards. 

I do a $300 non refundable pet fee for one pet.  $35/month for a cat and $50/month for a dog.

$500 non refundable pet fee for two pets.  $75/month for two pets.

If a tenant breaks the lease then they are typically responsible for the rent until the date the lease ends or whenever to find a replacement for the unit.  Theoretically, you can charge them rent all the way to the end of the lease if you keep it vacant and try taking them to court for it but they just won't pay for it.  

Best case is to start advertising the unit immediately and explain to the tenant that they will be responsible for rent until you find a suitable replacement.  That should help get them to be more cooperative with showings.  

The tenant does not get to refuse you access to the property.  Give them 24 hours notice and then go do your inspection.  

I always have the security deposit due at lease signing then first month's rent due when they get the keys.  If they want to move in a couple days early that is fine but they are going to pay a pro rated amount for those days.  I require the full first month's rent when they get the keys, the pro rated rent amount would be due on the first.  With something that close I would have them pay the first month's rent and pro rated rent together.  

@Anna Sagatelova I did not mean sound as though you should discriminate against children.  I simply meant that a lot of people fear pets and potential damage but they aren't nearly as bad as kids and you can charge more for them!

@Daryl L. kid damage far outweighs pet damage.  I'd take a young couple with two dogs over a family with two kids.  You can charge extra for the dogs, they cause less damage and your tenants are more likely to stay longer.  Everyone wins.

I do a non refundable pet fee and then increase the monthly rent as well.  I don't ever get push back from it either.  People love their pets and take better care of them than their kids anymore. 

I charge non refundable because I don't want to open myself up for a debate on what damages the animal may or may not have caused.  If you charge a refundable pet deposit, that deposit can only be used on damages caused by the animal.  

As @Anna Sagatelova posted, use petscreening.com.  The perspective tenant does all the work and I believe it is free for them if it is truly a registered support animal.  Also, you are allowed to ask for the doctor's letter.  You cannot ask why they need the support animal but you can request doctor documentation.

Also, just because you cannot reject an applicant because of a support animal does not mean you cannot reject them for any number of other things.  Have clear established expectations and requirements for your application process and you can likely reject them for one of those items.  

Why don't you want to allow for pets?  I am a big fan of allowing for pets and then charging more for the property to avoid this game altogether.  If they want an animal, they will find a way so you might as well make some extra money for the animal.  Animals are typically a reflection of their owners so if you have properly screened a good tenant then it is likely you won't have issues. 

@Keaton M. yes, your addendum will be adding her to the existing lease.  Just put in the terms that she is month to month.  I wouldn't even bother with another deposit.  That just opens you up for an argument in the future about who caused any damages and who should be responsible. Just increase the rent and have them both sign off on the addendum acknowledging they are both liable for each other now.