All Forum Posts by: Bruce N.

I rent to college kids and always make sure the parents or someone is a guarantor and check their credit as well.  Some kids don't understand what a contract is and it really helps to reach out to their guarantor in situations like this.

I like to have help when needed, but don't need regular employees.  The problem is I don't like the risk of going without workmen's comp insurance.  I've searched the forums and not really found an answer.  

If I'd like to have someone on their terms and avoid making them an employee.  What is the best way to cover workmen's comp insurance?  

Thanks!

I use Excel with SumIf statements to summarize data by keyword from other pages

Apartments.com for a free rent payment portal that go directly into my bank account so I don't have to hassle depositing paper checks.  It also assigns automatic late fees.

Hi,

I'm a landord with some small mostly student tenants multi unit buildings.  I've had some break ins in my laundry rooms and machines have been damaged by thieves going after coins.  The laundry machine vendor WASH takes coins or electronic payment so I'm not sure how successful the thieves are, but I still end up with a large gap in service.  Tenants sometimes prop the door open so they don't have to use a key.  I've installed covers over the latch portion of the lock and plan on putting in stronger door closers.  

I'm wondering what others have done in similar situations to discourage this?   

Thanks,

Bruce

I would only proceed if he delivers the place empty and allows full access for viewing / inspections.

I'd be concerned about the rest of foundation even if you get one part repaired.

I've been a landlord in college town for 10 years now with 5 different properties and do all the property management.  Additionally I'm super handy and can fix most any problem which makes my rentals that much more profitable.    I also do my yards every week and a half which puts me on the scene so I can see how the tenants treat the properties.  It also gives me a face to the tenants which seems to help with their attitude.

The thing is that I'm a little burned out but I keep reminding myself how fortunate I am to have my own business right now.  I've tried a couple of property managers in the past but they don't seem to get the job done.  Renting to college students must be done by April for the next year and their efforts have fallen short.

The easiest thing  to let go of would be to have a yard guy, but it would run about $800/month and I can do the yards in half a day.

Anyone else been through this and have pearls of wisdom?

Thanks!

To avoid sitting idle at an empty unit I always stack my appointments for a time period at 15 minute intervals. I take my tools along to do some yard work or minor improvements for the gaps when applicants inevitably don't show.

thanks for chiming in,  I currently have 12 units,  24 bedrooms for college.  About half my portfolio.  

I'm always looking for ideas on how best to handle the unique aspects of renting to college students.

I have 5 rental properties, three small multi units and two four bedroom houses