All Forum Posts by: Jim S.

If they are mentioning other things be cautious . They might want the entire place updated "her/his way". As others have said, raise the rent first. Then see what they say.

Zillow out performs any other source. I listed two this month and both took the ad down in 3 days and signed a lease. Not bad for $10 each.

I agree it isn't worth going to court over $172. I haven't given her any deposit. She is walking away from $535 or $363 depending on how you look at it. You would think she would at least say "I'll take it" referring to the $363. My original question was how long does it take to get served once someone files. I thank all of you for your input and feel free to add some more.

She said she sent me an email Dec 1 that she was moving out Jan 1. I didn't receive any email. I never had a problem receiving her emails. She has had a problem not seeing the ones I send her. I have had to write her twice on a few occasions and it still might take a few days or a week for her to respond. I saw boxes in front of her door and the other renter said she was moving so I emailed her asking if she was moving, didn't hear back. I went to her door to ask on Jan 1 and she said she will be out Jan 2. She wants her full deposit back. $535. I told her she had to pay for the first 10 of Jan that the apartment sat empty and offered her $363. I heard nothing. A week later I asked if she was accepting or declining my offer. I have heard nothing. That was a week ago. There was no damage and it was clean enough. I don't want to go to court over $172 but I don't want to just give it to her either. I am well within the law. Not sure a judge will see it that way. She has not threated to take me to court. She said she was going to check on her rights.

I disagree with going as big as you can as fast as you can. It's a good way to get in over your head. And If you don't have reserves for vacancies or a furnace/roof now you have a unit you can't rent or you can't make payments. A 4 plex would be a good started. Leave existing tenants until they move or you have the funds but you always need to have reserves.

I suspect a tenant is going to take me to court over her deposit. How long does it normally take when someone files for court until I would be severed?

Too many people think a steel door with deadbolt is invincible. They don't understand the frame will fail with one good kick.

Why single out landlords? Do you give free food away. Do you give free gasoline away? If you can weather the storm now then why should renters have to pay at all. So a legal contract is worthless. Since it's not the renters fault then what about when a business fails, does the renter get free rent???

In Michigan (check your state) I can limit 2 people per bedroom. Accept applications until you find who you want and don't give a reason for not selecting someone.

I put a ceiling on the water bill. That's all I pay. If you pay the heat put in a thermostat that you can control by wifi/internet.