All Forum Posts by: Dave Bopp

@Cara Lonsdale- thanks for your input on this situation. I've looked into almost every possible angle to find a remedy, but its becoming clearer that some form of legal action will really be what it comes down to in terms of finding a concrete resolution.  

@Karl B.- I appreciate you passing along this article- I'll take a look at it now!

Hey everyone!

I have a row home rental with good tenants. I was informed by one of the tenants earlier this month that the cigarette and marijuana smoke from the neighbors in the adjoining row home was causing her nausea and head aches. I attempted to have the landlord next door speak to her tenants about the issue, but she told me that she had bigger problems with them and to just call the police. So I called the police and they told me that there was nothing they could do because recreational marijuana use is now legal in Philadelphia. 

The tenants had asked me to put up an additional material barrier in the basement where they think the majority of the smoke is entering their unit. My thought it re-parging that 40 foot section of wall might help limit the smoke but that seems like a substantial expense for an issue like this and likely won't completely solve the problem.

Does anyone have experience with alternatives for minimizing smoke? Or has anyone dealt with a similar situation? Thank you!

Hey Everyone,

I have tenants in one of my units who are complaining that the smell of marijuana and cigarette smoke from the neighbors in the adjoining row home are causing nausea and headaches. The neighbors next door are not my tenants- in this case do I need to take action to reduce the smell of the smoke since my tenants are claiming it is causing health side effects? My tenants asked that I speak to the neighbors to ask them to change their behavior (which I know isn't going to be effective) or fortify the basement wall where it seems the smell is coming through.

As a side note they are good tenants, but my feeling is that no matter what I do the smell is going to continue to be an issue.

Any input would be appreciated!   

@Jason Bott and @Bill Crow- thank you both for your input as well. I think based on the points made it's in my best interest to insist on having my name listed as an additional interest on the policy. I appreciate everyone's advice on this! 

@John Underwood thank you for the suggestion. I just reached out to my insurance agent to get his take on the situation. I'll look into the "loss payee" listing as well.

A current tenant acquired a renter's insurance policy that listed him and his girlfriend on the policy as the insured individuals. He asked the insurance company to have the landlord added as an additional insured and the insurance company told him he could only have two names on the policy. 

How important is the additional insured on the policy? Should I require the tenant to terminate the policy that he's paid for to find another company that will allow them to list their landlord as an additional insured?

Thank you! 

Thank you both for your advice @Nicole A. and @Edward B.-  I spoke to them in person earlier this month before having to file their eviction, but since then they have become unresponsive. I think they are just avoiding me until they can figure out their next steps. 

I will definitely be getting in touch with the incoming tenants to at least give them some notice and help trouble shoot the situation. 

Thank you for your input  @Bob B.- I let them know that in PA an eviction stays on their credit report for up to 7 years and that they will likely have a difficult time finding another place to live with an eviction on their credit report. I think you're right, they are just trying to stall at this point until they find somewhere else to go.

I have tenants who are scheduled to be moving out on July 9th. They were late on their rent last month and have yet to pay their rent for this month. I filed their eviction on the 10th (the first day I was able to file by state law). Before these tenants stopped paying their rent, I secured replacement tenants for their apartment who are scheduled to move in a week after the current tenants were originally going to leave. Based on the current situation I am concerned that the current tenants are not going to move out when they are supposed to. I made a cash for keys offer to incentivize them to move out, but they are refusing to engage with me. Do I have any other options to motivate them move out on the 9th as planned? If I wait for the full eviction process to run it's course, it may be another month and a half (at least) before the new tenants can move in. Any advice would be appreciated!

Hi Everyone,

I have tenants that notified me of their intent to break their lease and leave their apartment with 60 days notice (allowed in our lease). I provided them with a formal notice to vacate. At the end of that 60 day period, am I legally allowed to change the locks on the apartment even if they haven't removed all of their belongings from the unit?