All Forum Posts by: Douglas Stewart

Thanks @Matt Clark. Very helpful!

Thank you @Matt Clark. Helpful information. As you can tell I'm new at this but that is my understanding on the conversion to cellular. Would you suggest talking to the alarm companies about what the options are here?

Does anyone have an experience with these types of phone lines? My understanding is that there must be two POTS lines for the fire alarm and one for each elevator. The building I'm working for is paying almost $1000/month for four of these lines. Is this normal? Does anyone have any resources where I can read about the requirements for these lines? Are these lines typically serviced by the major telecoms like ATT or are there other service providers where we could potentially save money here?

Hi All,

I've had a rental for 8 years with the same tenant. In an effort to get it rented initially I agreed to pay utilities (~$100/month). She is finally moving out and I would like to transfer the utilities to the new tenant. Is there anything I have to do other than cancelling service the day they move in and telling they which utility companies service my building? In Los Angeles- Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Co if it matters.

Thanks!

I would also join!

@Dennis M.

Thanks!  Appreciate the info.

Back in the days before I heard of BP, I bought a condo rental in CA (did everything wrong, didn't even run numbers, by pure luck it cash flows).  I needed a tenant right away so I stupidly rented it to a smoker.  She said she only smokes 2-3 per day and would do it on the porch with the doors closed (yeah right).  We put this language in the lease agreement (minimal smoking on the porch with doors closed).  Fast forward 6 years and she's been a good tenant, but the condo is starting to smell more and more like smoke, not terribly bad, but enough to notice and enough to affect renting it to someone else when she moves out.  She doesn't seem to want to go anywhere, so I guess I have three questions: 1. can I evict this person for breaking the lease (we're on month-to-month now)?  2. would you evict her? Is the smoke damage already done, and I'll just deal with it when she moves out?  3.  How difficult is it to completely remove the smoke smell?  I assume there are some good professional services that do this, but wondering how good are they.

Big thank you to everyone here!!!

We had one of our homes burn down in the LA fires and are beginning the process of rebuilding.  We have found a builder who seems great, has built a lot of homes in the area (malibu, ca) and have checked all of his references, etc.  He just gave us a contract to sign and it seems reasonable, but I have no idea since I've never built a home before.  Is this something I need to have a lawyer look at?  Is there anything I should be aware of, or add into the contract before signing?  Thanks!

Thank you for the reply @Nathan Gesner.  I am looking at my rental condo unitowner's policy and it appears I have Building Property coverage for $95,400.  This would be to rebuild I assume?  I also appear to have Loss of Rents, which is also a relief.  We will see what happens. 

Not sure if this is where to post this.  My grandparent house burned down too, and not sure about my parents house.  Everyone is ok and that's the main thing.  I was just watching the news (I'm in NYC) and saw my condo burning.  I have no idea what happens now.  A few questions:

1. I am assuming I have fire insurance through my HOA, does this sound right? My sister has all the documentation at my parents' house (again not sure if this is still standing) so I can't check it.

2.  Assuming I do have insurance, are we going to rebuild the condo essentially as it was?

3. Will my mortgage remain the same? I do not have much spare cash to cover the mortgage ($1400/month), HOA dues were $600/month and rental income was $2800. Is there anyway to get the payments suspended on it until it is rebuilt?

Thank you!