All Forum Posts by: Richard F.

Sorry, not correct.

The only issue is the change that has occurred to what is reported/shown in the on-site notification under the "bell" icon.

Previously, it only notified of votes, mentions, and ranking changes. It did not notify of other's replies to discussions I had replied to, and was "following". Now, every reply to followed discussions are also listed in this notification list.

The emailed notifications always have been for votes, mentions, ranking changes AND simple "replies" to followed discussions. No change is needed to email notifications.

@Noah Bacon this needs to be fixed! Our privacy setting is being ignored. I will not be posting again until this is corrected.

Not cool!

Poster John S. now shows as John Smith in the email notification of all replies to any followed discussion!

This started 9/18 at 9:26 AM HST.

Thanks for the quick response, but the issue is, and I'm sure many agree, we DO want the email notification of all replies, mentions, votes as in the past.

BUT, in the past, the on-site notifications did NOT include all replies, just the votes, mentions, and ranking changes, which was perfect.

NOW all of the replies are ALSO in the on-site notifications. These are overwhelming the votes and mentions when viewing the on-site list. Frankly, although I have been going to that list and deleting each of these replies, in hopes the issue would be addressed, I may decide to just ignore the list entirely, as it is quite tedious, given the number of posts/replies involved.

On site, you have the "Followed Discussions" tab to exclusively look at a list of replies, a second list under the notification list is not necessary. Votes and Mentions have no other way that I am aware to easily review. The email notification IS useful, as there are times when I watch for a response, and can easily check from that email, vs. opening the site on my phone, logging in, and checking for notifications there.

I hope this "update" is re-evaluated and either removed, or given a a second control to choose email, site, or both.

Aloha,

You need to check State/local laws, including LL/Tenant laws, to determine if the signing method is "legal" for a Rental Agreement.

Beyond that, in my opinion it is just a poor idea overall. In this day and age, everyone in such a rush, it is far too easy to sign electronically and be done with it. In theory, Adults are signing, and should act responsibly by reading what they sign. I can tell you, 95% NEVER read any of it! You will learn this every time you hear "I didn't know I needed to do that".

Have you even met these Tenants? Did they at least show up to see the unit, or was that done via self serve lockbox, or virtually to save more time? Certainly, all of the background checks are supposed to give you insight into the desirability of a prospect, but every bit of paper documentation can be so easily forged these days. You need an in person gut-check.

Also, I sit down with every Adult occupant, and page by page, review the Rental Agreement and other documents with them. I highlight key points of the ancillary, informational documents, such as Lead Based Paint, Mold, and Fair Housing; but then I spend more time and detail with the actual Rental Agreement, confirming terms, late fees, due dates, payment options, and "Tenant Responsibilities" which go far beyond merely paying rent on time. We cover maintenance requests and actual emergencies (and their definition), specific House Rules for particular properties, how best to hang pictures, and yes, our Assistance Animal Policy.

During the walk-through "move in condition" inspection and completion of the move in form for their signatures, I am sure to point out various issues for the Tenant to be aware of to help them save money by NOT breaking or misusing elements, how to clear the food disposer, and anything else unique to the unit.

Typically I spend 30 - 45 minutes on the document signing process, and anywhere from 10 - 30 on the walk through depending on size of the unit.

NOW when a Tenant says "I didn't know", which they still do, but not nearly as often, I remind them of what was discussed during the signing and walk through, which usually gets an "oh yes, I guess I forgot" response.

I 100% believe this is time Well Spent. For 95% of Tenants that I have placed, at move OUT, the units require very little, if any, effort to be rent ready. Easily 90% of SD's are fully or partially returned, across hundreds of units for the past 20+ years.

Quote from @Butch Greene:

Friends property is a Townhome, not a condo.  We've never owned a townhome.
How does that change it?

 There certainly may be regional differences in terminology, but in my experience Townhomes have a similar concept to Condos with regard to the fact you pay monthly fees to an Association in return for them maintaining certain portions of the structure and property.

Here, Condos are governed by State Law 514B, while Home Owner Associations, which are largely detached and duplex homes, but also rowhouses or two story attached multi-unit structures, are governed by State Law 421J, which is not as stringent and detailed as the Condo laws, but still has similar basic features, such as By-laws, Declaration, and House Rules that apply to all unit Owners. Both types of property are operated with funds assessed to and collected from each Owner and overseen by a Board of Directors made up OF Owners. All of these Associations are Non-Profit, some are corporations, some are in a different form of legal entity, but Owners are mandated to follow their specific Governing Documents.

@Noah Bacon, what's up with this? Usually someone either responds or fixes issues very quickly...we're getting crickets for a VERY annoying issue. Is there a new setting that separately controls the email notifications from the site page notifications that we have not seen? Or what? As it is, we have to delete notifications in our email inbox AND when we go to the site for EVERY SINGLE REPLY TO EVERY THREAD WE CONTRIBUTE TO. Votes and Mentions are fine to notify both locations, "replies" are NOT.

I'd tell the LL to go fly a kite, assuming all is as you state. It should not fall apart in only five months as long as the panels or track have not been hit. Send him a copy of your contractor's report. Look online to see if you can find manufacturer's recommended maintenance and intervals, provide him that info as well. If he wants to deduct from SD, file in small claims court and present your evidence.

Aloha,

Be sure you understand the HOA financial condition, including the Annual Budget and Reserve Funding plan. If you do not understand these documents, you can easily end up getting an unexpected Special Assessment or big increase in the monthly fee within the next 2 or 3 years. Very few Agents actually understand these reports, and no one is likely to tell you the real situation. You also need to understand the Governing Documents...By-Laws, Declaration, House Rules, in order to know exactly what you "own" and what you are responsible for.

Aloha,

Depends on local LL/Tenant laws. A Tenant is a Tenant by any other name...squatter, holdover, seller, whatever. Same process once "residency" has been established, regardless of how.

If you do have a written agreement, which you absolutely should have, and they are at the end of the specified term, see if local law provides for "holdover" tenants. Often you are able to charge double or triple rent for at least a few months if they remain past an agreed term.