All Forum Posts by: Cassandra Vickers

Quote from @Theresa Harris:

Quote from @Cassandra Vickers:

$50-$100 per day for a month long renovation is a lot of money (assuming it might be a month, I don’t know yet). Could I consider a rental discount instead? 20% off rent for the month? Any insight on how to set up a temporary kitchen? 

 Is there a room they don't use a lot or an enclosed garage?  I really wouldn't do it while it is occupied.

There is an open space in the unit that is currently in the unity. Do you have reccs on how to set up something temporary, don’t know much about this? Are you thinking this temp kitchen would have running water? 

Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

Quote from @Cassandra Vickers:

I should have been more clear — The current kitchen does work, the sink runs water and the stove burns gas. However it is not functional for how the tenants use the space, it’s too small for the 5 tenants. The kitchen is at least 10 years old and is beginning to degrade, countertops peeling away and plastic peeling away from cabinets. There’s so much space in the kitchen, but the current form does not maximize its potential, just plain bad design. I’m also planning to add washer and dryer, and dishwasher to make the unit for competitive/be able to raise rents. I would prefer not to move everyone out, they are great tenants and don’t want to have to go through the process of finding new ones/ losing rental income.

 I can guarantee you will have issues no matter what they say now. If you go ahead, you will need to compensate them we'll. What is the rent? How much is 20%?

Rent is $4100, split across 5 tenants (3 single people and 1 couple). Hands down a discount will be more economical than a daily allowance for each of them. Thoughts? 

$50-$100 per day for a month long renovation is a lot of money (assuming it might be a month, I don’t know yet). Could I consider a rental discount instead? 20% off rent for the month? Any insight on how to set up a temporary kitchen? 

I should have been more clear — The current kitchen does work, the sink runs water and the stove burns gas. However it is not functional for how the tenants use the space, it’s too small for the 5 tenants. The kitchen is at least 10 years old and is beginning to degrade, countertops peeling away and plastic peeling away from cabinets. There’s so much space in the kitchen, but the current form does not maximize its potential, just plain bad design. I’m also planning to add washer and dryer, and dishwasher to make the unit for competitive/be able to raise rents. I would prefer not to move everyone out, they are great tenants and don’t want to have to go through the process of finding new ones/ losing rental income.

I’m planning to do a pretty extensive kitchen renovation, the current kitchen is not functional and current tenants don’t have enough counter and cabinet space,plus the unit has no washer/dryer, which I add with this renovation. The location of water line/sink will be changed (likely not useable during reno), but the gas stove will remain in the same location (likely useable during reno). I’m wondering if it is ok for the tenants to not have access to a functioning kitchen for some time. I’m not sure how long the renovation will take, but looking for some guidance on what is acceptable, given I already have tenants in the unit. Hoping to avoid having to put them up somewhere else with a functioning kitchen. 

@Shaine Grogan did you ever convert your basement to make your property a 3F? Also, did you look at Boston's ADU Program? If so, what made you choose to make the building a 3F vs a 2F with an ADU?

@Alejandro B. what did you end up doing? Did you use the ADU program? I'm thinking it about it for my 2F and wondering if you have any insights to share.

@Tanya F. How do you know if the tenants has gone over the $45 allowance? Do you have a single tenant and an electric meter that monitors that single tenant? Or do you just equally split the electric bill amongst the tenants? Ex. you have a bill of $150 and you have 3 tenants, then the allowance would be $135 (45*3=135), so each person would be equally liable for the reminder (150-135=15) and each person would be charged 5 dollars (15/3=5) to cover the amount over the $45 allowance? I could see the tenants being angry that they did not cause the overage. Or do you do it another way?