All Forum Posts by: Russ M.

Hello @Michael Andrews,

We have both an 8 family and a 4 family.  At each property we give one of the tenants a $50 credit each month for cutting grass in the summer, leaf cleanup in the fall, shoveling the short sidewalks in the winter, keeping common area hallways & stairs cleaned up year round (vacuum/sweep every other week).  We provide the lawn mower and a shovel as well as reimburse for gas and salt.  We promote it as almost a free month of rent.  It has worked well for us.  We did look at services, but as you suggest, this was a much cheaper alternative.  We do have the parking areas plowed by a commercial service.

I'm confused.  Are you evicting?  Or just ending his lease?  Now granted, I have much less experience than many others on here, but the two terms are NOT interchangeable, but could be part of your problem.  If you are telling the tenant you are evicting them, they are probably concerned that they will have an eviction on their record, thereby impacting future rental, credit, etc.  Completely different story if you just are not renewing the lease.  Of course, it is probably further complicated by the fact that you are in California.

Am I oversimplifying?  Isn't eviction different from not renewing the lease?

If you rent to the prospective tenant in question, you no longer have a max 2 pet policy.  You now have a max 3 pet policy.  Once you allow it for one, you must allow for all, or accept the backlash that may (most likely, will) commence.

You can't change things as you go.  Open yourself up to all kinds of problems.

Our leases specifically spell out a charge for early termination or breach of contract.  We keep it separate from security deposit so the security deposit can be used in the event of damages.  We even had one where the tenant moved due to a new job, and his new employer paid the early termination fee as part of the relocation package.

It may not work for all, but it was approved by our lawyer and it has worked well for us so far.

1.  Buying instead of renting

2.  Moving with significant other

3.  Job relocation

Screen, Screen, and Screen

@Nathan Gesner

Did he pay on time after that?

We use a 1 page "recap" sheet.  The tenant initials that they received a copy of the lease and all addendums (rules, smoke detector, etc).  It also lists the numbers to call for utilities to change the service to their name.  It reinforces rent is "DUE" on the first and who to make check out to, where to mail, etc.  It also reminds them they have 5 days to return check-in/check-out inspection list or they accept everything and will be charged for every damage.

It gives both non-emergency and emergency contact information.  Reminds them about end of lease procedures as well, notice, carpet cleaning, etc.

This gives them a 1-page reference because as @Casey Miles mentions they don't read the lease after we have gone through it on signing day.

Who did you issue a receipt to for the security deposit when you received it?

Is the stove/oven/burners clean?  If something drips while cooking one time it can burn for a number of times after that and it could be setting off the smoke detectors.