All Forum Posts by: Joe Richardson

I just closed on my first duplex last Friday March 4th.  Obviously I'm excited as this duplex is going to be the first of many properties to come.  I've called the tenants and had the opportunity to meet one set while the other lady and I have played phone tag.  She finally calls me back again today and says she understands I am the new owner and knows she will have to sign a new lease with me (she was not aware the old lease carries over) but she's not interested and wants to move out and has made other arrangements.  She only moved in a month ago but doesn't really like the new neighbors is taking care of an ex-husband dog as he's been deployed blah blah...

She wasn't thrilled when I let her know that the lease still applied and she still has 11 months left.  I did hear her out and was sympathic to her "issues".  With that said she is an inherited tenant and if she really doesn't want to be there then I'd like to make it work for both of us because I'm sure this would be just the begining and could end up getting worse. I'd like to charge her a buy out fee of two months rent and let her be on her way.  Does that sound reasonable?  I told her I would consult with my attorney and get back with her.  My inherited lease does not address this issue.

Thanks everyone for the responses.  

I'm closing on my first duplex this Friday and inheriting tenants on both sides. In the south unit the tenants just moved on on February 1 2016. There is not a dog on the lease but the old owner "just found out" they have one. I would like to create an addendum and charge pet rent. My plan would be to have my lawyer involved and so there will be a fee I'm sure. Should the tenant be on the hook for this fee in some way or do I have to chalk it up to bad land lording by the previous owner? Move to the north unit. They have a dog and a cat. Only the dog is on the lease and they put down a $250 refundable deposit when they moved in (for the dog). I'd like to do the same pet rent addendum for the cat. Can I pass along those fees? I'm a first time landlord and plan to meet with the tenants for the first time hopefully this weekend and I really don't want to look foolish. My goal is to set the tone that the lease is king and it's the rules all of us are playing by.

G&K development out of St. John are great.  I used to live in NW Indiana and they did a big training center addition at my place of work.

Lee.  I'd love to see that list as well.

Thank you,

Thanks @John P and @Kevi Knight.  I appreciate your feedback.

Does anyone have a property manager in Kalamazoo MI they would recommend?  I'd like to start conducting some interviews with them.

Thanks,

I'm planning to attend tomorrow Josiah.  See you then.

This is awesome! You just saved me some time.

I'm hoping to attend Josiah.  I've joined the meet up under my wifes account.