All Forum Posts by: Corey Pascuzzi

thanks everyone for the great advice and different perspectives!  I have to go over to the house this week for a few things and plan to have a more in depth conversation with her. I'll update with how it works out. 

Hello BP, my tenant just told me today that she lost her job over a month ago.  She has always paid on time and paid rent today for this month.  She says she is getting financial help from family and is looking for a job, interviewing. I told her to keep me in the loop as to the situation and I don't remember my exact words but told her something to the effect that I would work with her and try to get through this difficult time.  Is there anything I should be doing, or could do in the meantime?  She has been a good tenent and I am hoping she finds a job soon, but I can't help but think what would happen if she can't find a job for several months.  Any thoughts or advice is appreciated!

@Michael Buckley, Welcome neighbor!  I am fairly new to investing too, but happy to help in any way if you need it. Good luck!

Hi Candice,

Good luck with starting out, it sounds like you are well on your way and well prepared!

@Dick Rosen, thanks, that sounds like a good strategy, I like the idea of giving choices!

The lease at my SFR will be up in May and this will be the first time renewing. I thought it would be pretty simple, but then I started thinking about it more and came up with so many questions. Are there certain laws or procedures I need to follow? I have checked the laws in Massachussetts but didn't see anything specific. Do I mail a copy of the new lease, ahead of time so the tenent can review, or do I go review it with them in person. If I increase the rent, do I collect the difference in security deposit and last month's rent? Also, what is an average rent increase after the first year? I have done a little market research and I believe the market could justify an additional $25, but is that too much or too little? How will the tenent take it? Should I plan on explaining the reasons for the increase (there are more than just the market)? I would like this tenent to stay, but I feel there needs to be an adjustment in the rent. Lots of questions bouncing around in my head, sorry for the long post, but I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks so much!

Welcome Walter, I am fairly new as well.  I have owned 1 rental in Springfield for about a year.  Good luck to you and your wife!! 

Thanks for the advice everyone, I bought one of those zip it tools and took care of the drain today, super easy. I also bought a hair catcher and installed it.  Hopefully that will prevent future clogs.  I appreciate all the suggestions from everyone!

@Account Closed , can you tell me where in my post you thought I was being hostile?  I definitely didn't intend it to come that way.  It was just a simple question, I am a new landlord and encountering these things for the first time so I thought BP would be a good place ask, I'll think twice next time. Tenants have been in the house for 10 months, pay on time and I recognize that is probably the most important thing.  I have been very generous with them I  think.  The plumbing was all new when I turned it over to them and I have  been over to fix a minor leak in the and noticed quite a bit of hair caught on the sink stopper. I kind of think this could turn into a regular problem so I was curious how others would handle it.  I appreciate everyone's advice will be taking care are of it .

I have this statement in the lease "tenant will, at its sole expense, keep and maintain the premises and appurtenances in good and sanitary condition and repair during the term of this agreement". Nothing specific about plumbing.