All Forum Posts by: Christine Kankowski

We always have tenants pay for utilities.

If it is a multiunit, we charge each person based on per capita, or square footage of the property.  Owner should never pay, because it encourages waste...

The main negative about rentometer is that it does not take into account square footage.  So you see an estimate that average rent is $2000, but then you notice all the homes listed are 2500 SF, when mine is 1300 SF.   Doesn't really work.  The pro version does show you the ones that are 1300, but you can't just rely on the average You need to look at the details. 

check the laws of your state.  In ours, if the tenant has been in there longer than 1 year (CALIF), we need to give 60 days. 

Also make sure they are not on a lease.   You cannot change the lease, even if ownership changes. 

Best of luck nad congrats on the new purchase. 

This is something you could negotiate, or at least state that if it is vacant you can use whoever you want, but it you want to sell to the tenant or while the tenant is in there, it is reasonable for PM to ask to be the one handling. 

If someone chooses not to use us while a tenant is in place, we opt to stop handling the Property mgmt at that time, since other agents cause a lot of extra work for us asking for showings, updates, repairs, etc which we would need to help facilitate.  I actually had another agent tell a tenant that they needed to move out.. NOT! They had a lease.  

WOw, Dont do these things!  You will get sued and end up owing her money and you will be more angry than you are now!!  Offer her money to go, or wait the few months and then give her notice.  IF she is paying the rent, I say just leave it be for now. We are in a pandemic.  No judge will side with you on this. 

If you remove the kitchen sink, she can sue you and you will owe her back rent that she has paid...  Be smart, Dont let anger get the best of you here.  Take a breath. It will be ok. 

just a recommendation to get a solid lease and really verify everything on the application.  (Or use property management). Make sure your property follows all the rules of your state, specifically CO detectors -  and smoke detectors in all rooms, etc.  You can even hire PM company to place a tenant, and then just take over after that

Make sure you know the laws on fair housing.  Have rules in advance that you will use to qualify tenants. - what credit score, income level, pets accepted and not accepted.

best of luck.  I did it on my own for years until I became licensed and started a full-fledged company.   

what is listed in the lease?  I fyou are month to month, you can change the lease- with notice, and let them know that they now need to pay. 

Every property mgmt co I know, including my company, collects the rent from the tenant and then deducts our monthly fee as well as any repairs completed and give the remainder to the owner once the check clears. Part of our job as mgmt co is to collect the rent, follow up if it is short paid or paid late. They will give you a statment each month with the accounting and the funds. 

Definitely do your due diligence to make sure the property mgmt has been around for a while and has good reviews.  one the is a member of NARPM is a good place to start. 

It's only early may. You can easily find a tenant for June.  Just an FYI that most places are not showing property with current tenants in place anyway due to the coronavirus. So you would have to wait and have a little down time anyway.

Technically if he gave you the notice today, you could charge tenant for 30 days from that date. 

Communication and clear processes in place are key.  Staffing to handle all calls, showings, maintenance, interior home visits on a regular basis and strong attention to detail when approving applicants.   Knowledge of fair housing laws, ESA's, section 8, rent control, eviction procedures etc,