All Forum Posts by: Felicia W.

@Matthew Paul

you are right time is money.

I decided to do this one without charging for the time spent because the renter has been good and keeps the place spotless. If this becomes a problem, I will start charging. She was in her last home for 9 yrs, if she continues to pay rent on time and keep the house in good shape I'm all for keeping her for the next 9 yrs. Hopefully keeping her happy keeps her a good renter and my mortgage paid.

Here in Oklahoma, the county assessor has a webpage that we can type in an address and it will give you all kinds of info about the property including the owners name.

If you don't have a webpage for the searches, a trip to the county assessor may help.

When I was renting, I once went into an occupied home to look. After that first time, I never did it again. I would just find another place to look. If it is not ready now, I wasn't interested.

When looking to buy, I once toured a home where the owners were present. I didn't like that much either. I told the realtor not to show me homes with the owners in it. It was very uncomfortable and I didn't feel I could talk freely.

I would not show an occupied place.

Thanks for all the input. I charged for materials only. She is coming by today with payment and I will ask to inspect the rest of the house.

As for the door frame, I will most likely have a contractor repair it and have the tenant pay the charged amount.

I do not have much experience with this kind of thing (thankfully).

My renter kicked her daughter out (just turned 18). She called and asked if I could change the locks or if she could have it done at her expense. We just changed the locks on our house 2 days before. I told her I had some and it wouldn't be a big deal.

When we got to the house, it ended up being worse - of course it did, doesn't it always? The daughter's bf tried to kick in the back door. The frame was damaged as well as the trim. So it took us more time then just changing locks.

Along with temp fixing the frame with to secure it (we will replace the damaged wood at a later point - not sure if we will wait till the crazy bf is gone or when she moves out, I really do not want to keep paying for it over and over if it becomes a repeat occurrence), we had to go back to our house and get another dead bolt to add to the back door, and more tools (1 hr round trip).

I am wondering how much do I charge for the repairs? I originally wasn't going to charge for the lock replacement because we had them and planed on using them on the rent house in the future. It ended up taking so much longer because she didn't tell us about the damage. We spent about $30 for more secure strike plates and the thing for drilling the deadbolt hole out. It ended up taking 4 hrs of our time (including travel time).

We will also have to figure out what to charge for the repairs to the door frame once we do that.

I reread the lease today. I am very thankful it is clearly stated that any damage to doors and windows will be paid for by the tenant other than damage caused by natural disasters.

Part of me thinks have it repaired by someone else and charge her this amount, this way I do not feel as if I'm overcharging my renter.

Thanks for any suggestions

I saw the fertilizer question and thought oh no I should be having the yard sprayed for weeds.

It's by no means a high end rental - but far from slum.

Should I be spraying for weeds? I just figured that feel into lawn maintenance and the tenet would do it if they wanted less weeds (less time mowing)

- Clear fridge of all magnets
- Clear all kitchen and bathroom counters (you really don't want your toothbrush out for pictures)
- Remove pet bowls, toys, and beds before showing
- Store kid's toys - keep a laundry basket of toys that can quickly be put in car when you leave house (works great for toddlers)
- take out the trash
- Do not leave 14 bottles of soaps and stuff in bathtub
-Store gun cabinet so people do not remember your house as the house with guns
- People look in medicine cabinets - don't leave meds that may leave an impression in view
- Organize pots and pans - store the bunt, angle food cake pans, waffle iron, fryer and other large items not used often to clear out room
- Clean Clean Clean (especially light switches, door knobs and other areas that hands are always on

Thank you for explaining.

Thanks Matt -

I don't care if they are related or not. I just think the house is too small for 3 adults. Can I set it for max occupancy of 2 adults and 2 children because I really don't think 3 or 4 adults in that small of an area or 3 or 6 kids would work either. My thoughts are in no way based on the family status - I don't care if it's adult children or friends or sister wives :)

They have max occupancy in hotels.

I've placed ads for a small house for rent. I've had a few people say it was the husband and wife, child and mother in law or a mom with adult children. This is a small house - 3 bedrooms but really small and I do not think it is suitable for 3 adults.

Is it discrimination of any sort if I say no more than 2 adults and 2 children?