All Forum Posts by: Kathleen Leary

I stand corrected! 

The "official" state tenant/landlord information only states that a tenant may wish to purchase such coverage. 

If it is written into the lease/rental agreement, the landlord may, in fact, make renter's insurance a requirement of tenancy.

Therefore, that will appear in my next lease. Thanks, everyone!

Rent is due the 1st. If that day falls on a holiday or Sunday, rent is due the next business day. PERIOD. 

Late fees accrue the first day rent is late. After three days, you get a "Pay or Quit." (Your state may have different time periods, etc. Check first!)

To halt the eviction, all rent plus accumulated late fees must be paid to date. No partial payments accepted.

I go over this in detail before the papers are signed; if the tenant feels they aren't able to meet this requirement, they might find a different property more suited to their situation.

When MY mortgage holder decides I can make late or no payments, maybe I'll re-visit the tenant's payment schedule.

In this state, you cannot require tenants to carry renter's insurance. You might check your local statutes first.

I certainly suggest they look into it.

Yeah . . . just finished hosing down & painting a roach-&-mouse-poop encrusted (& that's putting it mildly) apartment. Good times. Nothing compared to the toilet from hell, of course. That's definitely noteworthy!

Another apartment's tenants clogged the toilet & for several months decided the floor was a suitable substitute.

I DON'T WANT ANY PICS!!!!!

Interesting differences, depending on locales! Obviously, check YOUR local ordinances. You might also talk to a certified arborist in your area (not just a "tree-cutting guy"), as he/she would know how the city or county handles this type of issue on a routine basis.

Here (very common), if it's over the property line on your side, you can chop it.

I'd make a documented effort to contact the owner regarding your concerns; sounds like they don't care & won't respond, anyway. After that (if it's legal) chop that thing!

We charge an application fee, which covers our costs to do an online background check. Landlords in this area charge anywhere between $30 - $50. The $30 does not cover time on the phone doing in-person verification, etc. 

Each person who would be included on the lease submits an application & fee.

If you want your application processed, you pay the $30. This weeds out a lot of lookie-Lous.

The application requires a SSN as part of the information; we take a photo of the driver's license or state ID. Just a double-check/backup, as noted.

If application fees aren't common in your area, you'll get a lot of push-back from prospective tenants. Here, over time, they've pretty much become the norm & tenants expect to pay them. Check out what's common in your area.

I found this interesting post:

Denying a Renter Due to a Dangerous Criminal Record

Landlords and property managers are only allowed to use a criminal record to deny a rental applicant if the record shows dangerous criminal convictions that would put the property, other tenants, or the neighborhood at risk.

You are not allowed to use arrest records to determine a rental applicant’s qualifications.

According to the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development:

1. Arrests records are not a valid reason to deny a rental applicant housing.
2. Convicted criminals may be denied housing if the reason for their convictions clearly demonstrates that the safety of your residents and/or property are at risk.
3. Blanket terms in your screening criteria that say “Any criminal convictions will be denied” are now considered discriminatory and in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

If you deny a rental applicant due to information found on a public record (like a criminal background report or eviction search) you need to provide the applicant with a denial letter and instructions on how they can obtain a copy of the report. You do not need to provide a copy of the report, just tell the applicant which agency you used to access the report and who to contact to get a copy.

That said: (You may need to amend this, based on the above info)

"Thank you for your application to rent 1234 Main Street.

We regret to inform you that your application has been denied based on our standard tenant screening criteria.

Good luck in your housing search."

Document everything & make sure every applicant is treated exactly the same way. 

I would NOT rent to these two!

NOT LEGAL ADVICE! If roommate is not on the lease, they are not a legal tenant. If they remain in residence after the existing lease is terminated, they then are trespassers/squatters/illegal entrants, etc.

Your lease doesn't have any effect on them if they haven't signed it. You'll have to consider other options.

Brand-new sleeper sofa - gave it to a friend. Brownie points, if not dollars!

Great idea! I have a seriously ROOO-ral property I'll be listing soon & that is a good tactic to alert folks in the surrounding areas.

Thanks!