All Forum Posts by: Edward L lauckern

Sorry for your problem. I always try to use other means of getting rid of tenants other than courts. For reasons like this, although this is extreme. Is there anyway to pay their first months rent for another apartment once they're vacated? Might not work, but it's a shot in the dark.  

Get him to sign a surrender of property which ends the lease and gives the property back to.you. I would tell him as long as he leaves the property clean so it can be rented .you will not persue him in court and you will still give him a reference. Do what you can to get him out asap without eviction. Doesnt seem like you'll be getting any money from this guy even if you did sue him. So at this point try to mitigate your losses.

What's the lease say about renter insurance? And whether you're liable for damages to the tenants property

If the tenants agree to it they can pay a percentage. To you. I do this and it is legal agreement, where tenants each pay 50% of gas bill propmtly upon notice of the bill which is in my name and it is agreed that there will be no dispute. For example. If they're working all the time, go on vac etc. you're going to get disputes.
So that's why I do it like I do

Find another reason to be safe, if an applicant hasn't filled out the application completely it is reason to disqualify that applicant. Does their income qualify? Etc there will be something else you can find in order to disqualify an applicant 

in my area you need a certificate of occupancy which is inspected by code enforcement and they will tell you what needs to be done to recive the certificate of occupancy.  If this is the case where you live, get the inspection done by them and not the contractor. They will give you a to do list.  GfCi doesnt need ground to trip properly 

Yes I collect weekly and bi weekly now depending on the tenants pay check schedule.  TSYS merchant services. Does credit card and ach payments, by far the best move for me. Knock on wood, no more chasing rents etc. You can hit late payments etc.  There is percentage taken plus a start up fee but it's well worth it. We require all new tenants to sign authorization for auto pay 

 Depends on the judge and the excuse the tenant gives.. judges in my area have allowed tenants more time to pay rent in certain circumstances especially if children are involved 

If its included then the heating source (gas or electric) should also be paid  by the landlord on a tank used by multiple tenants. It can be rather costly to install new plumbing in setting up a seperate tank. However it would probably suit him to install a larger more efficient tank since the heating source would be running all the time if the hot water keeps running out.  .  

Did you call the water department? They can sometimes tell if it's a leak or what time.of day the .majority of water is being used.1300$ is ridiculous it's almost impossible for someone to use that much even on purpose

Just curious, how can you be responsible for hot water and not the cold water? Since cold water goes in to fill the tank?  You should therefore be responsible for the heating of that tank which then you should see an increase in your utility bill ..

If it is indeed them using the water you're going to have to charge them.  There water meter attachments you can buy that measures the amount of hot and or cold water you can put on the pipes that are going to their fixtures.. but I would bet it's a leak.. the water departments usually give you a one time break in that case   hire a plumber to do a pressure test starting at the meter