All Forum Posts by: Christine Swaidan

Thanks @Thomas S.  I know you are a big proponent of month to month. Me, too. 

We have quite a few long-term tenants that have very basic lease agreements that don't say much besides their names and the monthly rental charge. While they have done the job, I think it would be a good idea to have these tenants sign new lease agreements that specify Limits on Occupancy, Late charges, Charges for returned checks, etc. Not having problems with any issues at this point but you never know. Is this just a matter of setting up an appointment with each tenant, bringing the old lease and the new lease and having everything signed? Is it worth the hassle?

Tenants just vacated property. The two year old over the range microwave has damage to the inside of the door--a dime-size indent. While it does not go all the way through it is obvious damage and I will not want the next tenants using what could be an unsafe microwave. Is a microwave something that should be prorated like you would a carpet? I'm wondering how much of the replacement cost I charge to vacating tenants.

Welcome @Angel Rocha I'm just up the road. Wealth of info here. Good luck!

Thanks for all the feedback. I did touch base with my insurance agent regarding this and he's straight forward about this. If I allow an aggressive breed in a rental unit my insurance will drop me. Insurance companies do not care about the distinction of service animal vs. pet. He also said there is not an insurance company in the state of CA who will give me the same type of coverage I have now that will allow aggressive breeds. I don't know if this is fact but this guy's been our agent for over 20 years and has always treated us well. I'm sticking with him.

@Amit M. just another good reason to only rent month to month. And that perspective tenant has been turned down for someone with better credit. ;)

@Kim Meredith Hamptonand @Account Closed I got much interest and invited 8 parties to show up at 15 minute intervals. Raining buckets today in SoCal. Six showed up. Everyone is aware that there are multiple applicants. Are you saying that I should run credit checks on all perspective adult tenants. I was only planning on checking on those that looked the best to me.  Will that get me in trouble? I realize if I run their credit I have to give them a rejection letter if I turn them down.

@Chris Mason My insurance company will drop me if I have the dog (or service animal) in the unit. How is it possible that I have to allow a service animal that my insurance will not allow. If perspective tenant sued me who do you the judge would favor?

Where the heck are all those pit bull type animals living? My insurance company doesn't allow me to rent to people with these dogs but they are all over the place. My real question:  Perspective tenant has service animal that is a "dangerous breed". I don't have a problem disqualifying her for other reasons. Is it legal for me to not allow a service dog because it is a pit bull type breed?

I did a showing today for a 3+2 SFR that will be vacant at the end of the month. I prescreened perspective tenants and after meeting with all I feel I won't have to go any further than these folks to find a good fit. It's a good house in a good location and of course everyone is anxious to be the chosen family. I will be checking references tomorrow and then on to checking credit. I will be disappointing some of these families with my choice. How much am I obligated to tell them about why they were turned down? Do I just say I'm sorry but we have found someone else and refuse to say why a decision was made? ( I plan on only doing a credit check on my first choice, not all of them.)

Thanks all for the words of wisdom. Most of the time I feel like I'm on my own when making these decisions so I really appreciate the input.  @Amit Kal I like what you said and I will take your advice about maybe adding a warning sign about the button. It's not a $600 bill but rather a $1186 bill (2 hours). Nothing for me but over a month's rent for this poor lady.

Elevator is 1970's so there is no remote diagnostics that I'm aware of.