All Forum Posts by: Mr Good

Hello. I rent a house with a separate garage to a single mom and her 12 year old son. She pays on time, has been in for a few months.

I recently had a contractor rake up all the leaves and do a nice spruce up of the property. Today I went to have a look, then noticed she put a new lock on the garage door. She has the windows all covered but I peaked through on one side and see clearly a single marijuana plant with a proper grow light and a fan. I have been in this garage about 8 weeks ago and it was cluttered with a ton of her junk. I don't think she has room to turn this into a mega grow operation. Power bills do not indicate heavy electric either.

I decided to enter the house to inspect for plants in the house. She was not home, I went in anyway. She keeps the house orderly and clean. Her son's bedroom looks like a typical 12 year old. There is nothing inside the home that concerns me.

I am not sure what to do. I have a concern that the wiring in the garage can not support even a fan and grow light 24/7, it is a fire hazard. Aside from that, I need access to the garage in case of emergency so I need a key to the door. And there is the problem of it being illegal.

I am inclined to serve notice that she has broken the lease and to move out, but then we have lawyer fees. And she pays well and keeps the house clean.

Another part of me wants to have a face-to-face personal conversation and tell her that she can keep one plant there as long as she removes it while I have an electrician wire the new outlet that I had already planned for that garage (there is a "home run" on its own circuit going to the garage but it's not yet hooked up as an outlet).

Tell me what you would do please. Thanks!

This may be totally unrelated to your situation but I have heard about marijuana growers who do this. They pay in advance for many months, then change the locks and turn the house into an indoor growing operation. Screws up everything. Google around to find more info.

Hi. I have a duplex in a decent area, and "knock on wood" I have had full vacancy and very few problems in about 18 months.

I have a tenant moving in Sept-01, single lady hairdresser. She says it's just her, but when she came to see it she brought her boyfriend (security I guess). He seems nice enough. The rental is large but has 1 bedroom.

My only concern is that this person will move her boyfriend in, then her mother, and niece, etc.

Question: legally (in WA state) how many people can I restrict to living in a 1 bedroom? Thanks for any advice.

Hi. I own a duplex and one tenant has always been a hassle to collect rent from. Always late, barely scrapes by. He is moving out next month. In some ways I pity him because his entire life is absorbed with work and, on the side, Amway. Everything he consumes seems to be Amway. And I've heard that Amway people rarely have any money.

The duplex is large, about 1500 sq ft or a bit more. I showed it yesterday to a new prospect. Turns out, this prospect is also Amway. She was amazed that all of the products in the duplex (still occupied) were identical to what's in her house.

At one point she mentioned that they had problems with a previous landlord, and sued them. But as I listened, it did sound like they had legitimate problems at this previous residence.

Two questions:
1. Are members of the Amway cult notorious for not having money to pay bills? Stingy? Nitpickers?

2. This person mentioned that they may want to purchase a Rubbermaid storage shed to keep outside. Because there is no garage for this duplex. There is room for it but I don't like the idea. What is the general opinion of landlords when it comes to outdoor storage sheds?

Thanks for any advice.

Hello from WA state. We have a law that allows landlords to give 20 day notice, as long as the 20th day arrives at or before the end of the month, for tenants to vacate.

I own a duplex and half of it (Suite A) has been occupied by two different tenants. The first stayed for a year, then left and it was only vacant for 15 days before it I had the new tenant. Those two have been fabulous tenants. They pay on time each month like clockwork. The duplex is in a great area and I never had a problem finding tenants.

This is my only RE investment, and I've been at it for nearly 18 months now.

One tenant pays late, the guy in Suite B. I always have to be on top of him to pay. Whereas the others pay automatically, this guy is the neverending battle to get rent. I have to meet him today to get the rent, for example. It's pathetic. Always some story. But to his credit, around 18 months now he has always paid. It's just a hassle. He is quiet and never causes a problem in the duplex.

I am very tempted to give him 20 day notice on the 10th of this month. I should be able to find a new tenant. Then again, that is a headache. But I see the writing on the wall that this guy will keep doing the same thing month after month. I've probably been too accommodating.

Any sage advice appreciated.

Thanks. He did give me the name of that supervisor. He makes a good wage. He has a girlfriend in the local area and she has a good job too. For what it's worth.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. The applicant is telling me that he has a rotten credit score due to identity theft. I use a credit screening agency. They have this guy living in about 15 different places over the last 10 years. I would like to find someone who will live in the house longterm. These days I am having a difficult time finding a tenant but the house is still occupied for the time-being, until current guy moves out start of May.

Hello. I am sure this has been asked before and I apologize if it's a redundant question.

I own a duplex and have an upcoming vacancy. I found a person who wants to rent the house. He completed a credit application and came back as "D". Credit between 500-549. The tenant screen system I use says C+ or higher is recommended.

This guy is in the military and has a history of moving all over the place. Should I give him the benefit of doubt or seek another tenant? In person he is quite personable and looks like a good tenant, for what that's worth.

Thanks for any advice.

Hi. This forum provided some excellent advice when I got started. Here I am almost a year later, made it this far :)

I purchased a large home with view, big lot, near transit center, put down $105k of my own money to purchase, plus another $30k for improvements. One tenant upstairs, one tenant in basement, they have totally separate laundry, kitchen, etc. Nice place. I get $2050 rent total, loan/tax/ins payment is about $1650/mo. Probably not the best return but I like having it, and I get a small income.

Have been fortunate thus far, tenants are very good. No hassles, and paying each month.

OK my question. The couple upstairs is very clean, keeps the house better than I keep my own house. Ideal tenant. They pay $1200. I have no intention of raising the rent. In April their 12 month lease will expire. I would like to ask him to sign another 12 month lease, rather than carry on month-to-month. Is renewing a 12 month lease with another 12 month lease normal?

Thanks for your advice.

Hi,

Thanks for your quick response. I really appreciate it.

If you were in my shoes, would you have told him at the time he mentioned his kids living down the street "sorry I have to tell you that not more than 2 people are allowed in this house". Is that legal? I know I am not going to cash their $40 application check or look into their credit, not a chance I have to trust my instincts here. No way. I am a fairly good judge of credit and I think they have good credit. They both have decent jobs and he said he knows the credit report will come back good. Assuming their credit is good, I want to deny them based on this issue of two kids down the street and all her friends and taking over the property, etc. It really is suitable for a single person not dad, girlfriend, teenagers and neighborhood bbqs.

Aside from questions above, can I specify legally that not more than 1 car belonging to tenant can be parked on the property overnight? I may do that. This is a great deal at $800, no shortage of interest...

I appreciate the help from this forum!