All Forum Posts by: Carlos N.

@Account Closed

I finally got some more legit updates.  

1) PM company emailed me that the tenants returned the keys on 3 days ago(Oct 3rd), and they would take pics on the next day or weds. I was like thank god

2) Then I asked for any updates on yesterday around 5pm becuz I asked/requested them many times to take pics, have a contractor to give me a quote to clean up or estimate the fix up, also have a Real estate broker ready to prepare paperwork to sell the property. Surprisingly, the PM company replied "the tenants still got something, they said will finish today!". I was like What?!!? I replied and questioned the PM why the tenants returned the keys on Oct 2 ,but they can go in on the Oct 3 and 4???

3) Today, I decided to make a call to the Property Management company, and ask them what is going on?!?! Finally they sent me some photos and told me that there are lots of garbage in the property, and the tenants refused to give me their new address ( cuz I need to return the security deposit if any left after the clean up and any repairs needed plus the rent that they own previous and current month). I was relieved a bit once they sent me the pics.. at least they aren't(sort of) lying or being fishy. Anyway, the PM company should NOT let them come in the property anymore once keys are returned.  I am surprised that they let the tenant(s) got in.. that's not acceptable to me as a landlord.. the PM is not on my side protecting my property but on the tenant(s) side. Also never being responsive even they took pictures etc. Their communication ways making people felt really worried. I was told that the rest of the security deposit may not able to cover, I was like what exactly does that mean?? are the tenants gonna stay till end of this month?! then the PM goes, she meant to cover the cost of cleaning up etc.. I was like Jeez..

4) I mentioned that I have them to get contractor to clean up/repair, get their broker, list/sell the property, etc. already bring them business, making me feel they don't even care about the biz or $.. really hard to believe!! Other things that the way PM does things are really lousy and not doing the right way.. such as tenant return the keys without any paperwork saying that they moved out or sign off that the landlord and tenant relationship ended, etc.. I am not sure if that is a norm or culture in philly, but I have proof if anything goes wrong like tenant(s) can claim that they never agree/accept to move out or they can simply pay rent again/ sure me for any damage because PM/I am not authorized to go in/clean up the property while the landlord and tenant relationship exists. 

Oh well.. hope I can get everything sort out asap

@Joe White

Thanks Joe, I think they are licensed.. as they have their office and licensed real estate broker under a big name franchise.

@Steve Babiak

Thanks Steve for the info, I google and checked a website. Seems that I only require to get it if I have new tenants after Oct 1, 2011..

The following is An excerpt from the August 2011 HAPCO Newsletter -- August 24, 2011

"Property owners after October 1, 2011 will be required to obtain a “Certificate of Rental Suitability” at the beginning of every new tenancy. The certificate, which is available on line, must be obtained no more that 60 days prior to the commencement of the lease. The owner is also required to provide the new tenant with a copy of the "City of Philadelphia Partners for Good Housing Handbook". 

. 

@Chris K. Much appreciates for your professional valuable comments

1) Lesson learned, I probably will get a better property or commercial one if I am going to invest in Philly again. 

2) I would contact HAPCO and see what they can offer later on. Thanks for the detail info

3) Thanks for the info about the commission... would check it out.

4) I have an impression that the Real Estate Management company is acting as a Property Manager as they collect certain % of the rent. and they cut and mail me the check after the fees

5) thanks for the PM info again! 

@Account Closed I wish I have friends/relatives there but I guess I will wait for 1 more day. As for the PM, I will send the info to you later on

@Account Closed 

Thanks for your advice once again.  I am absolutely fine with them using the security deposits for the rent; though they should give me or the PM either oral / written notice. May be they don't even care as they will just take advantage of buying time and knew that it will take some times to file paperwork to court and stuff? It's a norm over the city as the living standard and income is low... My tenant(s) are so far so good.. only missed water bills about 5-10 times over the years.

I am not asking for anything but just get back the property by taking them to court. It is always not a good and wise choice by taking them to court.  After experiencing the bad side of PM in Philly, I don't think I wanna deal with another one. I am not sure if I should go directly to tenant(s) as the PM still representing me.. may be I should just wait for another few days.. and apparently, the PM said tenant(s) claim will return the keys today... will see or else I should just prepare the paperwork. 

In fact, I wanna take the PM to court more than the tenant(s).  I suspect that they are renting my property to multiple "tenant(s)" instead. When the previous "tenant" move out before 2009, there were multiple mattresses, even dog cages on each bedrooms/floors.  I m quite sure they might do the same thing again as it is not the first time. As a landlord, one important thing to us is to have the staple income, so I just let it go last time.  

Oh well... 

@Account Closed I don't think they are so nice or professional that help me getting these; though I got the rental licenses renew every year. As for the rental suitability form, I am not 100% sure if I need to get that as on the phila.gov website mentioned only for the "New" tenant(s)?  I have rent the property to the tenant(s) since 2009; not so sure if this is new regulations?!

@Lana Lee

Thanks Lana for quick respond,

I havent tried to contact the tenants directly since I am using the services from the real estate management. yes, I should give them 60 days notice. Though, I asked the management company to notify tenant around end of August that I want them to move out by end of Sept. This may be a mistake but then they stopped paying rent for Sept which I have the rights to issue a notice of quit where they have tens days to leave the property.  

I understand the fact that tenants may want to use the last or two months deposits for the rent; however, the tenants not the management company didn't give me any notice about that neither oral nor written notice. 

Hi All, 

New member here.  I have came across BP when googling about tenant eviction, will need your advice regarding eviction in Philadelphia. In short, I own a property since 2005 and have been using a real estate management company to rent it out. I have the 2-yr lease the current tenants since 2009, after that it is month to month. Few weeks ago, I decided to sell the property, and informed the management company to notify the tenant to move out by end of September. However, tenant stopped paying rent for the September.

I then emailed the management company to issue a "notice of quit" and notify the tenant to move out by end of September. Though the management not giving me a copy of the notice (I requested) nor the certified mail records, etc.  After 10 days, I told them I will file paperwork to court for eviction, and asked them to check the house, take pictures, refer me a real estate broker and have a contractor to give me a quotes what need to be fixed up and repair. They said they find me a potential buyer, and after tenant moved out we will check the house for you and take pictures though they never respond me about the broker referral etc.. 

In short, I have a feeling that the management company is playing the waiting game or the tenant(s) are with them just to buy time to find places or used up the money on the security deposit.  Now, I wonder what I should I do? 

1) Should I find an attorney or one from HAPCO? to start the eviction process? May need to start from the beginning since I don't think the real estate management even send a notice of quit to the tenant(s).

2) How does it work? Will the attorney contact the tenant directly or the real estate management company?  Anyone has experiences on using HAPCO services? will it be smooth and easy that the attorney will prepare the forms etc? and He/She will go to the court for me?

3)  Any legal responsibilities for the management company as they are not responsive and do that they should do?

Thanks in advance and much appreciates!