All Forum Posts by: Shawn Davis

Hopefully your lease allows for prospective tenant showings with proper notice.  Post a notice for 24 hour entry to begin showing the unit and send her an e-mail/text/phone call letting her know that since she has not sent the signed lease back you are assuming she will be fully vacated by the end of the current lease and you will begin showing the property in 24 hours (or whatever proper notice is in your area)...  You should know quickly what her intentions are and if they are to move, you will be ahead of the game.  

Hi Brent - Be sure to check the rules for rent increases and notice required both for your "section 8" and non section 8 clients.  Where I have rentals in Oregon, for my month to month tenants that have been there more than a year, they must be given at least 60 days notice of a rent increase and in certain cases 90.  Also there are no rent increases allowed within the first year of tenancy even if they are on a month to month.  Finally, the subsidized housing vouchers require a year lease and not a month to month.  Just get really clear on what the rules are in your area and don't assume thy are the same for your section 8 as your non-subsidized renters.  Where I am, timely notice is also required to be served on the housing agency providing the vouchers.

I also use rentapplication.net.  The applicant pays the screening fee ($39.95) directly to the service and I receive a completed application and background, credit, and eviction reports.  I am very clear up front (before they fill out an application) about my criteria.  I have it written down and in addition I always make it a point to remind potential applicants that these reports will be run.  If they anticipate any negative history, they should tell me before they pay the fee.  I do not make one dime off of these "fees" but could not imagine foregoing the reports in a screening.  I also call work/rental references.  I do not process more than one application at a time and only get people serious enough to pay the fee.

Looking forward to it!

 Hi Marcia - I saw this old post and am wondering if you could PM me with the contact info for your eviction attorney?  I have a friend in Vancouver that needs to begin eviction and it is his first in Washington.  Thanks!

has anyone had a good experience with an eviction attorney in Washington state (Vancouver area). I have a friend who is a landlord up there who needs to begin the eviction process and is looking for guidance.  Thanks!

Here is a good article by a well respected Oregon real estate attorney on the subject... 

http://q-law.com/tenant-medical-marijuana-oregon-toke-landlords-line/

The Oregon Rental Housing Association has a clause in their form leases (new in 2015) that is titled "Medical Marijuana" and reads "No marijuana, medical or otherwise, may be grown, stored or consumed on the premises without the prior written consent of Owner/Agent.

I just have my tenants initial this as I have a "no smoking" policy for my units. I have been advised that medical marijuana use is not considered a reasonable accommodation under the ADA and HUD has issued several memoranda stating that its use is not allowed (even by disabled tenants using it for medical purposes) but that public housing property managers are not required to evict for infractions.

So, I guess you can have it both ways.  I just say "no" to all smoking, tobacco or otherwise, medical or otherwise and have been told that I can safely do so..."

@Brad France

I am also RSVPing for a second time.  Looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow night!

-Shawn

I'm with K. marie P. all the way on this one.  JUST SAY NO.  You are only opening yourself up for problems and expense.  I'm fairly certain your insurance will say "no" to the pitbull.  I suspect if you say yes, the one month will turn into more.  Also, if you don't typically allow pets and this is a multi-family, be prepared for every other tenant to ask the same.  If you don't typically allow pets and you allow this one, don't your other tenants have a right to rely on the "no pets" and now they are living with barking, wimpering, etc.,  Also, pit bulls are a HUGE liability.  From what I see, even with additional pet fee, you will put in a lot of extra effort (writing up addendums, submitting to your insurance, inspections in and inspections out etc., just to put you to where you are right now.)  If she is willing to pay a fee, she can kennel the dog or pay another friend.  Don't let it be in your apartment...