All Forum Posts by: Kristen T.

Definitely a tough situation and I learn lessons each time I have new tenants...I've had some very expensive lessons by now!  Sounds like yours isn't awful though just yet.  I would first make sure he's on the lease, if it's really only his aunt on it currently, and do a background on him also.  And since you said he's already seemingly done a good job and apologized, I would roll with it, but make sure to do it in a way he doesn't think you're a pushover and he's going to get away with everything.  This also goes with the getting him on the lease so he can't say "I didn't know" again.    

 Forgive the slight repetitiveness as I have gone through the other "gifts for tenants" discussions, but I am looking for current opinions on special occasion gifts.  Yes, I am one of those who already does small gift cards at the Holidays as a token of appreciation for my tenants and I enjoy doing it.  Sometimes it's a gift basket I send, sometimes it's a GC to a restaurant, but for the good tenants, I always want them to know they're appreciated and I enjoy doing this small thing for them.  

My newest tenants at one location are absolutely the cat's meow when it comes to tenants...I've had no one like them yet.  They're  a young wonderful military family and although they've only signed for one year, their intention is the next 3 unless a transfer happens.  I just completed their first quarterly walkthrough and was VERY impressed.  

The question is, they just had their 3rd child.  She was 2 weeks from delivery when I went for the walkthrough and I would like to send a little token gift card and card.  No, not to be their best friend, but just because they are very good people, and deserve kindness in return.  My husband thinks I'm nuts because we'll be sending out holiday cards and GC's in about a month.  What do you think?  Send or no?  Shall I wait and do something a little nicer for the holidays since they're +1 maybe?  Because they're new and they don't know my holiday track record, I also don't want them to think I just give gifts all the time, although, I really don't think they're those kind of people, but just looking for others opinions.

Thanks Rick! I had also thought about making it the lesser amount just due on the 28th, and then charging a late fee on the 1st, but they are concerned with this option that it would show as late against their credit, which I can understand. I appreciate your willingness to give a hand if needed!

Question with eRentpayment.com - I've searched through the forums and found a lot of great info but not this answer yet.  I think I want to go with them, but I offer a $25 discount for paying by the 28th of the month prior.  Since they do not offer a discount option, customer service suggested I could accept partial payment, but what happens to the remaining $25 then if they choose that option?  Can I dismiss it or does it become considered late then?  Or can I choose to accept only the "partial payment"?  Anyone know or have this experience?

Thank you everyone for your feedback and advice.  This is only my second round of tenants in my landlording experience, and I learned a LOT from my first round, and I guess the curve continues :)  

Yes, you can have tenants in PA put these utilities into their name, but my township does require that I stay on these as landlord/owner for the primary account.  I try to do most of my dealings with all tenants through email so that everything is documented in writing.  So I have a history already accumulated for this switchover of these utilities.  I will go ahead and pay this bill, but should I send them this bill and letter through certified mail over email to ensure the receipt and continue to build a stronger case for eviction if necessary?  

I need some help in figuring out my next step.  I've had new tenants in my townhouse rental since October 1, 2014.  They pay their rent on time, I've done 1 walk through so far and everything looked great, but I'm having problems with getting them to change the water, sewage and trash into their name.  (Only came about after my January walk through as those bills are quarterly here).  Upon signing the lease, they understood that all utilities are the tenants responsibility.  I gave them a sheet with all the phone numbers and companies attached to make the changes.  They got everything switched except these two (water is one and sewage and trash is another).  I've had zero problems with them other than this.  I've forwarded them copies of the bill, offered to even change the lease terms and keep it in my name and add on to the rent quarterly and they said no, they plan on staying long term and will happily switch them...yet, I just called the water authority to confirm, and although the bill was paid, it has yet to be switched.  

What would you do?  I can think of a few ways to handle this, but I'm not sure which is best.  Of course, I do not want a bill to go delinquent in my name, so I'm on the verge of paying this bill and then adding it to next month's rent and sending a certified letter explaining why and the change of terms.