All Forum Posts by: Kevin Forsythe

Hey everyone! 

Just wanted to give you the results from today's move out inspection.  I arrived about 30 mins before the tenant and did a walk around.  I noted a few things on the inspection list and just as I finished tenant arrived.  I couldn't tell right away if they were looking to fight so I asked if there was anything wrong that they would like to point out or talk about.  They pointed out issues that they felt were not liable for I already noted in the report that I was not going to account for them (previous owner told me some of the carpet stains and wall cracks were not from them).  They did accept a few things that I did not bring up verbally  but they were on my list as well.  I presented my sheet and it was pretty much what they expected so the conversations went well.  I raised the issue of the broken window and they offered up just under what they were quoted so I took that.  I was prepared to take less so I consider that a win.  As far as I'm concerned this turned out to be a successful move out and we parted ways on good terms. 

Thank you all for the advice I for sure learned how to move forward for with future tenants.

@Kevin Harrison & @JD Martin - Sound and logical advice thank you.  The door stop should have stopped it but clearly it didn't.  True about the child getting cut that would have made things worse.

@Corby Goade - If they did take it to court the fees they would have to pay would be more than what I would owe them.  Not sure if they are aware of the costs so part of me wants to call them out on it.  I keep going back to what my Grandfather would tell me when I was a kid - "only a moron gets into an argument with another moron".

Thank you all for the great responses. 

@Account Closed -  Thanks for the link was a good read and very accurate!

@Remmy Vernon Thank you was a good read.

Thank you for the feedback.  I appreciate your questions and advise this will help me decide what direction to take and what to do with future tenants.

@James R. I'm not sure why they are acting so defensive.  I agree there are hungry lawyers looking for a case and that is in my mind often.  This is the first time having to deal with someone that seems hungry to pick a fight.  I think this will be a learning experience for myself.  In the past my way to respond to someone picking a fight was to give it to them and win at all cost.  Don't have the energy to do things like that anymore!

@Account Closed The tenant would call / text asking me what my expectations of them were for move out.  At first it seemed cooperative and professional but as of late been the opposite.  I have a document that details vacating procedures (the document mention above that I read with them) and I would point them to that.  I told them several times my goal was to have all our rules documented so they were clear and no one felt like they were taken advantage of.  At the time I felt if I didn't give them any feedback / instruction it would be taken as if I was setting them up to fail to keep their deposit.

I'm in Wisconsin and I have a tenant that will be moving out of apartment in a few days.  As we get closer to them leaving they are getting more hostile and keep threating legal action unless they get 100% of security deposit refunded.  They damaged a window total coast was $100 so not a lot.  At first accepted responsibility but no longer feel that way now (see number 2 below).  The topic of discussion that seemed to push the relationship to a higher level of hostility was getting the carpet cleaned.  They refuse to do so and in the lease I have a non-standard rental provision that I read with them before they signed asking for tenant to clean carpet so they are aware of this provision.  I have read ATCP 134 and WI 704 for guidance and I'm interested in this boards opinions / interpretations of some points below.

1. Tenant is requesting to be present during inspection.  I do not want this because they are hostile and do not feel comfortable with them and would prefer to avoid a conflict verbally or physically.  I do not see anything that requires them to be present.

2. They broke a window on a door and have now refuse to pay for damage because they feel the door was not installed correctly allowing them to damage it.  Their toddler slammed the door into a coat hanger that is installed in the wall behind the door causing glass to break.  They felt the door stopper should have prevented the child from doing this and since it didn't they are not liable.

3. They are requesting 100% payment to them on the day of inspection.  In WI landlord has 21 days post inspection to refund deposit and need to itemize any deductions if any with refund.  I do not plan to honor this request (as far as payment timing) but once new tenant gives deposit (schedule for 5 days after they move out) I will refund their deposit.

Part of me wants to give them the deposit to get them out of my life and move on but on the other hand I don't like being walked on.  Please let me know your thoughts thanks!

I have a clause in my lease that will not allow signs on the grounds.  I put that in because someone else on the block did the same so it was to keep inline with area.  I have seen some put political signs in the windows but to me that looks worse.

I have a duplex upper and lower with 2 tenants that I bought a few months ago.  One tenant that signed a new 12 month lease with previous owner - that expires in a month.  Likes the place and already has signed another 12 month lease with a 5% increase in rent with me.  Is low maintenance and pays on time good tenant.  The other tenant has been on a month to month for a few years with no rent increases.  Has paid on time for the few months that I have owned the house but has some issues.  They are loud to point others have complained and very messy leaving things on the lawn a lot.  They pay less rent than the other and I have letters to them asking for status if they plan to stay past September (winter in WI is not fun to move).  They have not replied and when talking with others around the house it sounds like they are getting to be a problem.  I would like them to move out I have a tenant willing to move in for market value rent.  Since they are on a month to month and the other prospective tenant want to move in September - do I send them a notice to vacate Aug 1st indicating the month to month is over effective on XX date?  I'm under the impression from others that if they want to stay I can not move them out even if I have a new tenant on deck.  Thank you for your time and opinions.

I'm aware of a property in a highly desired area outside Milwaukee that is for sale but not yet listed.  Owner is looking to sell it but I do not have the money to work a deal.  I recently have become aware of a practice called Bird Dogging.  I'm interested in this boards opinion on how I can accomplish a successful bird dog transaction.

Purchased my first rental a few months ago.  When I rented a years ago duplex the owner only came to the house to collect rent.  I personally was OK with that.  I also rented a duplex in the past and the owner knocked on my door every weekend and at least another time during the week.  Averaged a face to face conversation about 6-7 times a month.  I felt that was a little much.  I have been visiting my property about every other weekend to make sure the houses boiler system is purged and do minor yard up keep.  What would this boards opinions be on how often should you visit.  I don't want to be overly aggressive or give the impression that I don't care about the house.

Thank you!