All Forum Posts by: Karen Bickford

@Steve Mager  Masslandrecords.com. You can search by county and then address. 

Hello Bper's,

It's been while since I've been here.  I have a rental that the current tenants are moving out in the fall as they are building a home and that is when their new home is going to be ready.  I have someone that wants to take it when it becomes available.  I am taking a deposit now to hold it however should I make the deposit non-refundable if she changes her mind? Should I craft up the lease even though we are not sure of the start date.  TIA I am in MA

@Jack B. I agree this is very frustrating. Unfortunately we are in a world of skimmers today. Nobody reads beyond a few sentences or skims the rest.  I have the same patience threshold as you, very low. When asking the obvious I will ask them where did they see the ad.  What does it say in the ad about X. ? 

 I have a vacation rental where my calendar is public and updated for all to see.  I get, Is it available for these dates?  What does the calendar say for those dates?  

Not really productive but does make me feel better.

I believe in MA you can only charge for water on New tenancies so unless your tenants are leaving and you are going to get new ones it would be moot at this point. In other words you can't install the sub meters and then start charging. 

@Lois Ginter  LoL Gust of the state love it!

@Matthew Paul  This is great and have been doing the same as of lately. Saves so much time.

@Sam LLoyd That is priceless!

In Massachusetts, Maryland and Connecticut you may not refuse to rent to current or new tenants who become or are eligible for Section 8.  

I don't refuse them I just tell them I am not approved.  If I am having a bad day or getting lots of calls I ask "What is section 8, Ive never heard of that?" Sometimes ignorance really is bliss :)

Charles Manson comes to mind. Too much time on their hands. 

Yup it is a racket unfortunately. Were these inherited tenants?  

As everyone on this site will tell you screening is key. The better the screening the less problems you will encounter.