All Forum Posts by: Kerry Grimshaw

I always put up cheap mini blinds ($4-5) at home depot, lowes, or job lot. I charge the tenant if they are broken. I hate seeing weird things over the windows and it looks terrible from outside. I agree with Matthew Olszak. They are worth every penny

I agree with everyone above: pro-rate either side to make it work. In the past I have had similar situations and being that the move in date is so far away. I have had the incoming tenant back out and I lost 3 weeks of showing time and the cost of the initial advertising. I had to start completely over. I always take a non refundable deposit of (400-500) then have them pay the remaining balance on a mutually agreed upon date as long as its prior to the moving in date.

You need to provide them with an itemized list of deductions. A contractor bill would be sufficient.  You cant really charge for "marks" only damage. - I think marks would  fall under general wear and tear.

You might be able to charge for cleaning if the apartment wasn't returned in the same clean condition if your lease provides for it.

Make sure you also account for the interest due on the deposit. ( In CT ) if you don't provide the itemized deduction and interest credit wit in 30 days you could owe the tenant double the security deposit.

Hi John,

I would go the other way. If you have the time, and are handy, and want to save on money I would rent the belt sander from home depot, the one that uses the round sand paper ( not the flat square one).  Makesure you rent the edger as well.  you will also need a little orbital sander for the corner. By alot of sand paper because the paint will gum it up.

My husband have salvaged some pretty terrible wood floors. Its a lot of work sanding through paint, I think you will find that  paying someone would be extremely costly. You will probably use up all the savings and in the end you might as well have installed new prefinished wood.

About 10 years ago, I sanded a 900 square foot apartment. We removed the raspberry colored carpeting to find nice wood floors that had been painted with a dark brown thick enamel paint. I spent the whole weekend sanding - but the end result was great! They are beautiful. I haven't had to do anything but shine them in all these years.  As far as the plywood floor- you have nothing to lose, pull it up and check. If the floor has dark stains from something like water damage - use a dark stain and it should hide it nicely.

Nam Tran,

I have a section in my lease that says- I may enter the property at anytime with a 24 hour notice and anytime that is deemed emergency with no notice. If I think there may be a problem I just send them a message and tell them when Ill be over. Every other month inspection seem extreme and may deter future tenants- ie: privacy. It might be a better idea to come up with ligament reasons to check the property such as scheduled repairs. ie: yearly furnace cleans on one date. replace the batteries in the smoke alarms on another trip, and one yearly apartment inspection for damages. The tenant will feel like you care about your property and are interest in keeping up with repairs. ect.. I typically do weekly drive and inspect the yards. I dispose of anything left around and sometimes put the garbage by the road on pick up day ( I pay for the garbage- and its the tenants responsibility to have it at the curb) 

I agree with Andy D. and Logan,  It doesn't make sense to buy a property with negative cash flow. I'm also guessing she will not be surprised by the increase. I think its fair to give her a couple of months to adjust. Just keep reminding yourself - this is a business.

The original security deposit will transfer to you at the closing, as long as the seller collected one

Hi - I find that whenever I purchase a new building, I experience problems with the existing tenants. I currently have 16 units.  I always prefer a clean slate. It's very difficult to train other landlords tenants. Can you afford to let both tenants go? and a full clean up and remodel? I live in Connecticut so the best approach for me would be to serve the worst tenant a 30 day notice to quit or vacant ( possibly the one with the dog). I would have the other tenant sign a new month to month lease - I would go over all the rules and regulations with the tenant. I would immediately have the exterior of the building cleaned. (If you keep the one with the dog) I would explain that dog feces must be picked up bagged and disposed of, pets must be on leashes at all times,  and never tied up in the yard (this is actually a section of my lease- under pet care). I don't really want pets so I charge $25.00 extra per month for a pet and never allow large animals in a multi. I also do not allow any belongs to be left in the halls, porches, or yards ect. with the exception of a grill (this is huge) I have a clause stating these items will be disposed of without notice. Your going to have a hard time finding good tenants if the outside looks terrible!  ( I also don't allow automobile repairs to take place on the property)

I find that I have the best results when my units are modern. My husband and I are is really handy so we can remodel very affordably.  Therefore, If you can afford it. I would start worst unit and modernize it, get it on the market and then If the other tenant is still a problem (which I'm betting they will be), begin with a 30 day notice to quit. In your situation it may be difficult to clean up one side and keep the other tenant ie: duplex tenants live close together, they need to be compatible or your going to get complains and high vacancy rates. I also charge double security and first months up front!