All Forum Posts by: Joseph Schriever

Hello All,

My duplex rental property is located in Buffalo, NY. The summers get muggy warm but very rarely does it reach temperatures of 90 or higher. I have been debating on what a tenant would value more between a new nice kitchen or central air conditioning.

The current kitchen is not bad and is perfectly functional but it could be much more appealing with a light to medium renovation/upgrade.

Price points between the two differ by about $2,000-$3,000 but I am trying to determine and prioritize for what a tenant would find more appealing and valuable which in return would allow me to hike rent up a higher percentage.

Thanks for all your help!!

Go Bills! :)

Hello everyone, 

@David Karcz I would highly recommend setting your key words search up for specific things such as "Buffalo" which is exactly how I found this thread explaining the meeting taking place on April 9th (thank you Julie Greene). 

I have never attended one of these meetings before but I have read great things and I will be this time and I can't wait. 

I fully agree Lisa. Everyone has given great advice I really appreciate it. I feel pretty confident with my decision here mainly in part because of everyone's advice and recommendations!

@Al Williamson I love that line "Build windmills and not walls" great advice!

@Shawn M. Good point about coming home to an open garage door because honestly....that would annoy me ha. So I will make sure to include this into the agreement. 

I agree I think the key here is communicating my expectations. Need to be very thorough with this.  

The tenants already have half of the basement for storage and they use almost none of it. My conditions for storage will remain the same where they are allowed to use half of the basement but by no means is the garage to be used for anything other than storing the motorcycle. 

Colleen, great call on stating how its a no mechanical work garage and can be fully revocable. 

This guy is a great respectable tenant and one I would like to keep around. He has mentioned to me how he enjoys the apartment and has no intentions on moving. If I was to say no to the garage space for his bike, it could likely mean he would find another place by the time his lease is up. So if a quarter of the garage is allowed for his motorcycle = another year lease signed when that time comes does that help or make it worth it by any means?  

Hey Douglas, 

First of all, thank you for you input I really do appreciate it. You brought up some valid points that I did not exactly think of. 

For some more information on the situation. The garage is a two car garage which I use for storage and I have my own motorcycle which is kept in there as well. There is no wall that would separate mine from his stuff nor would I put one up to be honest. 

He would only use the garage to store his motorcycle, he would not use the garage for any other storage purposes. He would store the bike in the garage for as long as he has the bike or as long as he is a tenant (which ever lasts longer). 

I figured that by including ALL conditions of the garage (such as, if something happens to his bike or him or my house/garage) and having him sign it that I could protect my self from being liable from ANYTHING that could happen.  

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks again! 

Hi Everyone,

I have a tenant who is going to be using part of my garage to store his new motorcycle this summer and I want to have him sign an agreement with the rules of the garage and to protect my self in case something is to happen with him and or his motorcycle. 

Does anyone have any tips/rules or advice that I should include in this agreement? 

Thanks guys!!