All Forum Posts by: Joe Conklin

This is my first turn-over and I just inspected my rental unit where my tenant recently left.  I see that there is some damage but unsure what to charge my tenant.  I'm meeting with a contractor this week to get an estimate.  Are any of the following items below able to be taken from my tenants security deposit?

- Screen is ripped on screen door to the patio
- Young child painted the wall of the bedroom.
- Carpets in all bedrooms have to be replaced due to stains.  In my lease I have tenant is responsible for floors but don't know if replacing carpets in the rental is something that should be deducted.
- All walls, trim, and doors have to be painted due to marks etc.  Ceiling needs touch-up paint

My goal is to do what is fair, not automatically take their deposit because the cost of fixing the property will exceed the cost of the repairs.

1. What do I take out of the tenants security deposit?

2. How do I present it to the tenant?  For example, do I have the contractor itemize every repair item and give them a copy?

Any tips to save on cost or advice would be helpful since this is my first turn-over.

My tenant will be moving out end of this month and want to make sure that I'm setting expectations with them about leaving the unit clean etc. 

What are the important things to mention to them to try and have a smooth transition?

 This makes sense, I think its better to push it back.  If I was a potential tenant I would want to see my next "home" in good condition compared to boxes everywhere.  On top of that I'm not getting full consent from the current tenant.  

I have my current tenant moving out at the end of this month and have scheduled a showing this weekend.  I let my current tenant know a few days in advance.

My current tenant is saying that it's not a good idea to show the unit because it has boxes everywhere because they will be moving out.  I've re-stated that it will be okay and they pushed back again.

My question is, do you do an inspection of the property before you show the condo to potentially new tenants?

Do you still show the messy property even though if it's not going to present well?  I mean we can't force the current tenant to clean up 

How would you approach this situation?

My current tenant moves out soon in my rental property and will be filling the vacancy.  I have received interest from a retired tenant.  Now, if they don't qualify for income of 3x the rent is it a definite no?

Any other criteria to use for people who are retired?

I have a lease ending at the end of March on my rental property.  My tenants that are on the lease currently were a couple who were approved on their joint income.  Now they are broken up and the guy wants to keep the lease.  The issue is that based on income the guy is most likely not going to qualify so he will need a co-signer.  There will also be a rent increase and a new lease made.

Also, I have already sent the official termination letter for the current lease. 

Current tenant - I would rate a 6.5/10.  Has always paid but needs reminders sometimes, also not the most stable of income.

1. Do I have both (guy and co-signer) apply again?

2. When should I start showing the unit for a mid April move in?  I feel like I should give the current tenants a head start.  If he can get a co-signer I would like him to continue.

My current thoughts and timeline are: 

- Let the current tenant know that they will be a rent increase and he needs to reapply.  I need to do this ASAP.  If he can't meet the income requirement he will need a co-signer as well.  They need to pay the fees to apply.

- I will give them a 2 week head start as a gesture of good faith to them.  

How does this sound? Any other advice would be great

I rented to two tenants that are on their third year in my rental.  I approved them based on their joint incomes.  I receive a call that one of them is moving out two weeks ago.  The tenant that is staying wants to stay for the remainder of the lease term.

1. Should I take the tenant moving out off of the lease?  My thought is no but that is what the tenant that is staying wants to do.

2. When the current lease is coming to an end do I have a right to deny the current tenant from renewing because the income no longer meets my standards?

 Your are correct, my lease states that their rent is applied to the water bill first.  So when they send me their rent payment technically the water bill is paid but they didn't pay full rent.

 I can't do this because if my tenant doesn't pay the bill the township can put a lien against the house.  So I have to manage the process

I have a rental property where I have my tenants pay the water bill.  My township has residents pay the the water bill every quarter and have a question when the tenants owe me they water bill payment.

The way I have been approaching it is:

I get the bill April 1st for (April-June) and I send them a copy of the bill.  I say that they owe me their payment by May 1st which is the same time May rent is due.  If they do not pay the water bill by that time it is considered late rent.

Is this correct?

What are my next steps if they do not pay the water bill in time? Late fee and send notice to quit?

Curious to see the best approach to this situation is