All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

We have been doing essential repairs during Covid-19. We ask the tenant when they call to report the repair if anyone in the home has been sick during the last 30 days, has anyone traveled outside of the US or to areas of known outbreaks within the US. We require maintenance to wear masks, gloves, keep distance from tenants and to use sanitizer/toss gloves and mask upon vacating their unit.  We make sure to let the tenant know that we expect them to also keep their distance from our techs while onsite.  No hovering over their shoulder while they're working, etc.  The valve should be replaced as it is likely that the toilet is constantly running which depending on the property will cause water bills to go up or run the well too much.   Make sure that the handyman or whomever you hire understands what the procedures are for going into the unit and what questions you asked.  They should also be given the option of reaching out to the tenant to verify themselves as to if it is safe to enter based on their own procedure.

There is NO WAY that was caused by wind damage! Take a look at other areas of the building for wind damage. If you find nothing, this will likely confirm that wind wasn't the cause as well.  As you mentioned you must repair the door ASAP as a landlord for safety.  However, I would send them the bill and tack the cost of it on their account. If they do not pay for it right away, which they may not... you will have it recorded to deduct the balance that remains on their account from their S.D. upon their vacating the unit.  Also, make sure you take good account notes of conversations with them, etc.  Take pictures of the repair/new door.  Keep this picture for your records.  To answer your question about whether or not rental insurance would cover this, the answer is no.  You could try to do a claim on yours but I think it would end up being more hassle than it is worth. 

Renting to family and friends can be a challenge. However, it can be done successfully so long as you continue to remember that this is a business and that your friend/family fully understands this.  Have a lease in place, rules and regulations,expectations in writing, etc. As much as you would like to stray from policy for those you care about, don't.  Many relationships have been ruined because everyone became too lax on adhering to written policy/contracts. Tell your friend that you can no longer skip payments.

Please don't assume that the current PM is a bad thing.  They know the property and the tenant(s) which could be very beneficial.  I would recommend that you conduct your own interview with the PM to see if their a good fit for YOU. Also, take a look at the leases, ask to see if any breach of contract notices were ever given out and take a look to see how the PM has done with collecting rent and maintaining the property to date.  

Our management company has done well with rent collection. As soon as this began we were proactive and put policies into place overnight.  We immediately communicated with our tenants and continued to do so on a consistent basis regarding Covid-19 and how we were all in this together. We provided tenants the opportunity to let us know if they felt they would have issues paying rent so that we could assist them and also provided a large list of resources to tap into should they need outside help.  We also made sure our tenants knew that our goal was to help them avoid LARGE balances that they would have a hard time recovering from and potential evictions down the road.

There may have been many factors that have played a role as to why some landlords had issues collecting rent, while others did not.  Geographical location (high virus infection rate/low virus infection rate), did the majority of their tenants have essential jobs with no loss of income or vise versa, were the tenants that didn't pay have issues paying rent prior to Covid-19, did the landlord not show enough compassion or did they show too much compassion, was there a lack of communication, etc.  

My experience in these types of areas came with it's own set of problems.  As others posted...theft, vandalism, tenant damages to the units, rent not paid on time, etc. I have even dealt with homicide.  Even with screening, the screening criteria for "D" properties is different.  You can't go by credit score because they will likely be lower.  Watch for previous evictions, criminal background issues, length at a job and please check ALL references (landlord, employment and personal).  Sometimes these types of properties are good for Section 8.  With Section 8 you have tenants that do not want to lose their vouchers due to lease violations and you know that you will at least get most if not all the rent each month.  Proceed with caution and have a good understanding of what you're getting into.  Make sure you have a STRONG and TIGHT lease.  Good luck on your journey!   

Based upon the information you provided it sounds as if you had a polite discussion with them about the situation, they may comply with your wishes.  Upon renewal, make sure that you put your expectations into a Rules and Regulations document and have them sign it if you decide to keep them.  You can specify quiet times, rules on noise, etc. Going forward always consider what you would or wouldn't want to deal with if you were your tenant's neighbor. All tenant's have the right of peaceful enjoyment in the property that they have rented, this goes for your older tenants as well.

BIG RED FLAGS, bottom line reject the application and move forward. Provide them with a ADVERSE LETTER OF REJECTION stating unable to verify references. 

It has been my experience that the tenant can ask the landlord to pay for the hotel, but the landlord doesn't technically have to. This is what tenant rent insurance is for.  His current insurance policy will likely not cover the cost if the damage was done prior to his obtaining it.  So, it comes down to how bad you want to keep the tenant as to whether or not you pay for a hotel, however I think it would only be fair to prorate the rent for the period the tenant is unable to live in the unit.  I think if they wanted to take you to court, the judge would have issues with charging rent for the period they were unable to live there since the damage was through no fault of their own.  Good luck!

I am so sorry that you are dealing with this.  Firing a PM doesn't happen overnight.  As other's have mentioned from start to finish it could take 30 days.  Make sure you pull your contract and read through it again as well.  Now, prior to giving them notice you will want to secure a new PM.  Make sure to be honest with the new PM as to what has been happening and what your expectations will be should you go with them.  The new PM can be a big help with making a smooth transition.  Make sure you ask the new PM for references, check with the BBB to see how they score and ask them for a detailed rundown on their policies and procedures for marketing, screening, leasing, owner statements, maintenance, turnovers, etc.  Also, make sure they provide you with MULTIPLE ways to correspond with them. I give my clients my personal cell number, the office phone, my PM's cell number, email addresses, our emergency number. Good luck to you!