All Forum Posts by: Jennifer Ruelens

There are plenty of people who don't take an active role in their investments and rent to anyone who has cash and shows up.  I see bad tenants taking advantage of friends, family and other big-hearted people.  The bottom line is that qualified tenants have options and unqualified tenants are stuck with the landlords who don't screen.  This is why in rental housing forums you see people stating their housing need and then "NO realtors or property manager."  Because they know they have less chance of a DIY landlord being careful.  I tell my clients if we are all pulling from the same pool of tenants, and I am using a filter to make sure I only pull out qualified ones, there is a higher concentration of unqualified tenants left for you.  

For a 20 unit building Buildium is probably the most bang for your buck. 

You’ll be fine- PPL isn’t a Leinable and is the responsibility of the person on the account. You will probably have to prove to them you purchased the property to get a new account. UGI is the same way. Check the water and sewer accounts though- those are leinable in most parts of PA. 

You might find deals in Philly because they have the most tenant-friendly local ordinances in the state, on par with what is happening on the west coast.  If you aren't familiar with the landscape in Philly I recommend working with local experts to choose and manage assets. 

In my experience and education on this issue, I do not think you are well advised to pursue any kind of "unauthorized pet" fee post move out if the tenant claims it is an ESA. If there are damages, you are well within your rights to charge the damages caused. Tenants are supposed to request a reasonable accomodation to your no pet policy (or lease clause) prior to moving in an animal. However, in practice this isn't a punishable offense. The rules and consequences around violations of ADA or FHA are strict and severe.

Correct. A non refundable deposit should be called a fee. Otherwise it is confusing and a source of conflict later when they think the tenant believes they have a “credit towards damage.”

Security deposits in PA are limited to an amount equal to two month's rent.  After the first year of tenancy you are only allowed to hold a security deposit equal to one month's rent.  You can increase the amount of deposit if the rent amount increases but only for 5 years, after that the deposit will not increase any more, even if rent does.  Upon the beginning of the second year of tenancy the deposit must be in an interest bearing account, but the landlord/manager may keep up to 1% interest as admin fees (so make sure that account doesn't earn more than 1%).  The court case you are referring to happened in late 2017 and the precedent is that if you collect things like last month's rent it needs to be help the same as security deposit and is considered security deposit.  Also, things like pet deposit, key deposits and utility deposits are security deposits. 

If this situation isn't manageable by you then it is a sign you need a property manager.  This should be very easily handled by a reading of the lease and knowledge of the PA Landlord Tenant Act.  A property management company will know exactly what to do. 

I understand wanting some advice on how to score and vet an application.  My best advice?  Find great property management companies and see what their policies are.  Many of us larger companies choose to be very transparent with our application scoring and policies and put them online.  They are free for the googling! 

Good property managers that provide quality service charge for their work.  A lot of work goes into "just cutting the lawn". I won't speak to the value you received but check your agreement.  My guess is this is in there, and if not you have a different issue. You won't find property managers who have been doing this for a long time for a lot of people without realizing that maintenance is its own things and has to be charged for outside the management fee. Amateurs usually undercharge.