All Forum Posts by: B R

I agree installing cheap blinds makes sense, esp. before they move in. When we are turning over a property, the blinds provide some privacy for me while I'm in there cleaning/painting and also provide a look of occupancy when no one's there.

I don't recommend sharing costs for something that can be removed from the property easily.

I give an application to everyone who makes an appt. to see the property. On top is a list of our policies/procedures which outlines how to apply and also includes the "Equal Housing" logo.

Applicants are given the choice to run their own credit and turn it in with application or to pay a fee. The application has a spot for a signature which authorizes credit/criminal checks.

I do this because many applicants have been foreclosed on and/or have big medical bills to pay off and if the potential tenant gets the red light from a credit scoring company, I can't see the whole picture. TenantAlert gave our best tenant a big fat red circle, recommending not to rent to them. However, since tenant also provided their credit report, I could analyze the situation and note they were not just ignoring cell phone bills, utilities, credit cards, etc., but that a hospital had them in collection.

Since providing their own report costs nothing but time, all the serious applicants have provided them without complaint.

One of the reasons we didn't purchase a double here in Cleveland was because they are historically very difficult to sell if you want to get out of the business.

They were also way too expensive 4 yrs. ago and the idea of mediating tenant disputes with each other was more than we were ready for. Also, we were concerned with the amount of capital that would need to be shelled out should the furnace(s), a/c, other major doo-hickey fail.

We are preparing a "pick your favorite upgrade" list for one SFH tenant. They have been great, on time for 4 years so we want to keep them happy. Additionally, there are things that need to be fixed, such as the side door is ugly and in disrepair and should be replaced. However, they may prefer a ceiling fan, new faucets, upgraded window, etc. This way we both win: the home is kept in repair and the tenants get to pick something they want improved.

I also agree with the additional pet deposit and will address that as well.

Thank you all for the guidance, much appreciated!

@Darrin Carey glad that a couple of you brought up the pseudo-squatter situation. Exactly my point to mu husband, what if he moves out and the daughter stays? We have no credit check or criminal background on her, what if she is using drugs? What about Megan's Law?

@Mike Hurney I was also contemplating the new lease and absolutely month-to-month.

I think I will set up a meeting and lay out the 30 days to correct, plus give the option of her completing an application.

@Curt Davis he paid the first 3 months and deposit up front, was 1 week late the next 3 months, then 16 days, then 16 days again. Our lease says late fee of 5% after 5th day, 3-day notice after the 15th. Two notices posted (so far).

In July 2013, during our seasonal maintenance walk-thru, we noted an adult female and an additional dog in our SFH rental. Tenant stated this was his daughter and her dog who were visiting. I have been back twice to place 3-day notices on the door for non-payment of rent (which he paid both times), and both times heard two dogs barking.

I've been reading thru our various landlording books and this site, but this specific situation has not been addressed that I could find.

Should I send a violation of lease notice (we do have the 14 day limit on guests in our lease), set up a meeting and have her fill out an application if she IS living there, evict since he's also habitually late with rent?

Thoughts, dear colleagues?

Thanks for the great ideas--I will look into all of them.

We will be in Europe and our cell phones won't work over there. Also looking into buying a disposable prepaid phone that WILL work.

The concern is that something major will break, like plumbing or AC, that are landlord expenses and they won't be able to reach us.

Do you have a plumber or handyman who will be on standby for you? Can you call them from overseas and have them handle it?

We are going on vacation in August and wondering whom we should get to mind our "store" of 3 SFH's while we are out.

Thinking of having a friend with property management experience take the checkbook and the bat phone and handle things. Alternatively, perhaps an actual property management firm could do respite care?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Becky

Our adult tenants with no children have asked to put up a 13" diameter, above ground pool because it "helps her back pain." They agreed to put up the rest of the fence if we allow the pool, as it is only 3/4 enclosed.

Different kind of pool, same liablility. Great tenants so far, but the fear of an accident is there. My husband says to ask them if they just want to buy the house; not a bad idea.

Any more thoughts on pools?