All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

Thank you, Colleen. I appreciate you sharing real-life experiences. I'm going to offer to let the complaining tenants out of their lease, and plan to talk to the family with the kid-noise. Slowing things down on the stair well is an interesting idea too.

@Colleen F. Thanks for your input. The stairway is actually outside, and from what I understand, the kids may be running up and down as part of play - more than just normal coming and going. The third unit is farther away and doesn't share walls or the stairwell, so I wouldn't expect a complaint from them.  I think the tenant who complained has been living with the situation and trying to work with the other tenant for a while before reaching out to me. I agree - I can't be the noise police. It's just hard sometimes to make tenants understand the limits of a landlord's authority. I don't think anyone wants to move, but offering to let Tenant 1 out of the lease is definitely an option if it comes to that.  It's too bad because they are all good people and good tenants. 

@Account Closed The units are next door and share a wall.  After more discussion with Tenant 1, I found there's been running up and down the stairwell near the two units, so I can definitely make it a policy that running up and down there is not allowed. That's reasonable. I can see the benefit of sound proofing a room, but it does seem like a lot of cost and inconvenience to accommodate one tenant and deal with another. We've owned the property for over 20 years and never had to do anything like that based on a complaint.  

I want to note that all involved are decent people and long term tenants with whom I've had very few difficulties. Again, I don't think it's right to take action against one tenant based solely on the word of another. That would set a terrible precedent, and could result in legal problems. I plan to talk to Tenant 2 and again remind them of the "peaceful enjoyment" portion of their rental agreement. 

Hi, I know this is a tired topic, but I honestly don't know how to handle this since I'm not at the property myself and it isn't a situation where the police have been involved. 

Tenant 1 is complaining about the noise of Tenant 2. They are both good, long term tenants who pay their rent and take care of the property. Tenant 1 has spoken with Tenant 2 multiple times about the problem. I believe both sides are trying to be amiable about it.  Tenant 2 has two very young kids who are the source of the noise.  I don't think the family with kids is ignoring the complaints. I'm sure they are trying to keep the noise under control, but it keeps coming up because young kids can be loud and unpredictable. I have reminded all tenants about the "peaceful enjoyment" portion of the lease.  Tenant 1 is on a 1 year lease. Tenant 2 (the noisy one) is month to month.  

I don't see how I can take action against one tenant based just on the word of another tenant, even if I believe the complaint is most likely valid. I am grateful there has been no police involvement, but at least that would give me cause to give a warning, or to terminate a lease. 

So, should I just throw up my hands and tell them to work it out? Any ideas?

Hi Won. Welcome to BP. I'm a landlord in SB.  I wish you the best of luck!

In some contexts the question can be rude. Obviously the OP wasn't talking about discussing business with a lender or colleague Also, everyone is different. Some people don't mind telling others how much money they make, or what their net worth is. For me income and net worth questions fall into the none-of-your-business category. I don't own a lot of units, but in some contexts I've found the question to be asked in a way that sounds like a challenge, as in "so you think you're a big shot, huh?" Other times it has been pretty neutral, and others, as another comment suggested, tenants want to know if I'm a Scrooge McDuck sitting on piles of money. I'm of the mindset that downplaying what I'm worth, or changing the subject is a best practice with people I've just met for the first time.

@Russell Brazil Maybe it isn't what you intended, but I found your reply to the OP to be dismissive which isn't something I expect to see from a moderator.

Hi JJ. Welcome to BP. Santa Barbara prices are tough for sure. Arizona sounds interesting. Best of luck to you. 

I'm interested, and could make Wednesday 23rd at 6pm at dargan's.

I would be interested. I don't know if I can make it this weekend. I'll see what I can do with my schedule. 

Hi Andreas. I have some experience shopping for loans in SB.  If I were in your situation, I'd make a list of the places I could apply, starting with the most favorable cost-wise which i would guess is a standard equity loan from a bank in the form of a refi or second.  After that I'd look at the smaller local banks, then last consider a private lender.  Of course owner-finance on a new property would be great if you could find that. I have a few lender contacts locally.  PM me if you'd like a list.  Good luck.