All Forum Posts by: Jon K.

Thanks for the advice.

I didn't list all that in my ad. :) I included about the house, but I mention "no smoking" and about rental history. I did say "clean, and responsible."

Maybe I should list some of my hobbies or about me to make it personal?

I haven't been varying the ad. I guess I could vary it.

I'm curious why someone looking in a roommate situation wouldn't have rental history. I consider rental history the same as roommate history, though. I suppose I could leave rental history out... I just don't want someone who trashed a previous place.

My house is much nicer than the room rentals around here in it's price. Top location, too. But, I don't allow smokers or cats and prefer same gender as me... so that eliminates a lot of people.

My price is good, too. Same price as a lot of nearby rooms, even cheaper than some. It's a little less than the nearest "somewhat icky" single efficiency apartment, and those don't include utilities. Mine does.

Downsides are...

- Multiple prospective housemates.
I have space for a few, and most people wouldn't split the costs of a house.

- Outdoor parking.
Downside for them, but I once had a roommate who kept breaking my garage door. So, they'll have to deal with outdoor parking. Hopefully the low price and premium neighborhood makes up for it. Nearby apts. are outdoor parking too.

I've got to say... I get a lot of replies from the other gender, and wonder if I should just go with one of them.

I also get replies from people who aren't a match at all. I looked up one inquiries facebook and it had party stuff all over it... mixed in with her emotional rants. So weird. I'm not sure why she was interested.

Gotten more couples. I still don't understand that one. 2 for the price of 1?

Would you take a person of opposite gender if no good other matches?

I'm sure most of you would never rent rooms in your own house that you're living in with a roommate, but... I need to. Nice house... quality finishes, though a bit older. I want to minimize damage, and make utilities not cost me a fortune. I also want respectable roommates who are easy to live with.

What would you "cave" on if renting out rooms in your own house?

- Include all utilities, even if they aren't very cost-conscious?
- Allow the opposite gender?
- Allow someone very much older or younger than you?
- Allow one large dog or multiple small dogs?
- Lower the deposit?
- Allow short term leases?
- Offer some incentive, like doing yard work for small rent discount?

I'm getting inquiries, but people are either smokers (absolutely no way would I rent to smoker). Definitely no cats either.

Or, they're couples (sorry, no... I'm living here too... not living with a couple). Aside from noise and making it crowded, that would eat into profits with added utilities. I'm also kind of shocked when people inquire saying "my spouse and I are wanting a room." Since it's "utilities included," do they not realize more people = more utilities? Do they expect 2 for the price of 1?

Or, one medium-large dog or a few little dogs. I worry about dog damage.

Or, they're noticeably younger and are students with little/no rental history.

Or, they're much (decades) older and are professionals. I wonder if being a housemate of someone decades older would work out well for us both. I wonder why a 50 or 60 year old would want to rent a room in a house of young people, but... tough economy. Maybe they would be cleaner and quieter. And, probably more established in a career & longer rental history.

Cats, smokers, kids, couples, and people with a bad rental history are definitely out. (I'm living here... not comfortable with couples or kids.) That probably makes me sound picky, but... I don't want a nightmare of a roommate or tons of property damage.

Most houses around here include utilities, so I'm stuck including utilities too.

I'm not too near a college-- but within 15-20 minutes. Not ideal for students location-wise. Tons of offices nearby, so good location for professionals.

What "roommate" would you pick to rent a room in my house?

I'm having a hard time finding good matches. Put it on CL, but... not much luck.

Older? Younger? Short-term? Dog owners? Lower deposit?

Do you provide microwaves if they're not built-in?
Do your properties have built-ins?

Why or why not?

Personally, I've lived in properties that had no microwave at all (just oven and stove), and others that had built-in microwaves, dishwashers, and the works.

I think I, too, will ban firepits and pools.

My lease says I forbid then without my written permission, so I'll keep that enforced.

A portable fire fit seems like "no big deal" to a tenant, but I see a strong gust of wind and the property burning down. Not worth the risk... it's not a big money maker.

I strictly forbid smoking in my property, or anywhere on the grounds.

I consider it a lease violation if a tenant or their guest smokes anywhere on the grounds of my property. If they park on my property and smoke in their car while doing so, they're violating my lease.

I have a "no smoking" sign on property, on application, and in lease. Tenant application asks if anyone in household smokes indoors or outdoors.

I don't allow outdoor smoking. No way, Jose. Smokers smell, when they come inside, it can smell up the property. Additionally, if there's 3 feet of snow outside or it's 110 degrees, how many smokers go outside to smoke? And, the butts of cigs outside or inside could start fires. The smoke trays could spill and stain carpet.

What if you add a clause to the lease that smoking anywhere on property means forfeiting the deposit? Smoke smells are hard to remove, so tenant pays for walls and ceilings to be repainted, HVAC and filters to be professionally cleaned, all surfaces to be professionally cleaned, new carpet and carpet pad. Would that work?

I would NEVER rent to a smoker, and if they smoke and I catch it, I want them OUT.

Is insurance effected by them having a fire pit?

What if my tenant's fire catches spark and burns my property and/or neighboring properties? I have insurance, but worry that a fire pit either wouldn't be covered under standard insurance, or somehow a tenant was at fault somehow (neglect? improper installation? improper maintenance?) that my insurance could somehow be voided if I allow fire pits.

Impressive that they filled it in and put grass seed down. I guess them asking you before installing it shows they're at least respectful tenants, and I'm glad to hear nothing went wrong with by allowing it.

Your tenant put a fence around a pool? Nice.

How far away do you require the fire pits to be?

This yard is big, but narrow--- 10 feet from house is probably the center of the yard. Under 10 feet away in the other direction and there's a tree. Maybe I should measure it. There's some trees in the yard, so there's only one good spot for a fire pit... and that's on grass. Tenant would have to install fire-safe stone or some base for it.

Tenant asked if they could have an outdoor fire pit-- the type you buy at Walmart that sits above ground.

Do you allow fire pits or swimming pools?

Fire pits are fun, but I don't think it's worth the risk to allow them. Thoughts?

I'll have to check my lease, but I believe it says "no fire pits, outdoor storage structures, swimming pools, etc. without written permission of landlord."

Tenant situation:
- Roommates/shared housing with individual leases
- Fairly low deposits per tenant.
- I have property insurance and recommend they buy content insurance, but I don't know if they purchase it.
- Tenants are younger professionals and students. It's not a family "lease the whole property out" money maker deal.

I see risk written all over fire pits.

Do you allow fire pits?

Above ground swimming pools?

Do you require any special insurance from the tenants for either?

Am I worried about nothing?

Thanks, everyone.

The above was my concern and thoughts, Jon.

Tenant can always walk; it would be harder and more costly for me to evict. That was the concern I had in my mind.

I want an easy out. They pay late, are fitly, are hateful, or ... whatever... I can give 30 days and not have to spend time and money to evict.

I also want to give myself the option to sell the property and not have tenants transferring to a new owner with long leases (the property would NEVER sell here like that), if I ever want or need to sell the place.

This is a shared living situation, with me sharing some common spaces.
So, I need to make sure this person is tidy, respectably quiet, and doesn't disturb other tenants much or destroy the place. There's some hardwood floors, marble fireplaces, premium carpet, furniture, bay windows, custom drapery, crown molding... a lot of things a bunny could find nasty.

My deposits are about half of one month's rent. That's about standard around here, so holding the security deposit wouldn't be a big help. Pets are very common around here, so I "have" to accept pets. I've heard mixed things about bunnies (some say they're easy, others say they eat carpet/crown molding/furniture). Neighborhood also has very strict rules about parking, noise, upkeep, etc. There's even a fine if you put the trash out too early. Also, utilities are included in rent, so... if someone is going overboard, I want an out.

Part of my being over cautious is due to a previous tenant who was deplorable, but had a year lease. Previous tenant had a dog who disturbed other tenants (barking at all hours) and who caused damage to windows. Previous tenant also caused damage themselves, and was a nasty, hateful person. At the time, I thought it would be difficult (or impossible) to evict for barking, damaging dog or them being a profane and hateful tenant. I don't want to get into an eviction situation with something that's hard to prove or evict based on. I want an easier way to get rid of a tenant, no cause needed.

Mary Hurd--

Thanks. Advertising and planning leases to go with the school year is a great idea.

I screen new tenants as well as I can, but want to make sure that they know that they keep it a pleasant, tidy, non-damaged place... or they're out. With monthly lease and 30 day out, I think I get that upper hand. I don't advertise short-term leases anymore, so I do seek out tenants who want to stay a year or more. But, I don't want to be stuck with someone a year or more.

This new tenant's landlord references checked out-- phone number matched landlord's advertised phone number and property record name. Their previous rental was a college house, older, cheaper, and with other roommates. If my property was a lower end "college house" with older cheap outdoor carpet like that, I wouldn't be as concerned. Tenant just graduated school, and that info checks out also. So does their employer info. It's more of a concern of an out if the person is a pain, filthy, a jerk, or the bunny chews up the house or contents, as there are shared areas and it's partially furnished.

Paige Abu-Nawwas-

That's reassuring that you've never seen damage from a bunny.

I've only seen it on Hoarders, or heard friend's who had bunnies eat their carpet, crown molding, furniture, and more. They say it's kept outside, but I don't trust anything until I see it.

Jon Klaus-

I'm guessing this person is probably pretty attached to their bunny. Otherwise, they seem like a good tenant... but, I've never met them.
Out of state tenants who aren't able to see the property 1st make me nervous.

No, they nibble on baby's dreams when they're sleeping. ;)

Tenant is relocating from another state.
Has good enough rental history, but has a[b]large bunny.
I have never met this tenant, as they are moving out of state. [/b]

Tenant's new employer requires a one year lease so tenant can get relocation package from their employer.

I don't want to give a one year lease to someone I've never met, especially who has a bunny. This is a roommate/shared living situation.

How can I appease their new employer's request for a one year lease... without a one year lease? Or with some sort of 30 days notice out clause for me?

Could I make a lease, let them have a copy for their employer, then make a lease addendum that adjusts lease to month to month? Somehow it doesn't sound like I can/should do that. Can I, legally, of course? Aren't lease changes and lease addendum common? Could I put on the month to month lease that "desired move out date is: January 2013"? Tenant has made every indication that they are overjoyed to have this employer and wishes to stay here at least a year.

I don't want a year lease... I want a month to month since month to month seems to give me an upper hand.

It seems like there are many more advantages for a month to month lease for the landlord. I don't want them here (due to them not being a good tenant or shared living occupant/roommate), they're out.

If tenant is messy, bad roommate, not a good roommate match, etc... .with monthly lease, I can just give 30 days notice and they're out.

It's too close to their move-in date to likely find a new match before then.
This tenant sounds like a good match to the other roommates... but I don't like yearly leases. I want an easy 30 days notice clause if they're not a good match or a good tenant.... especially with a large bunny.

Any advice? Ideas appreciated.