All Forum Posts by: Laura Stayton

I'm not familiar with Pa Landlord tenant code (in Delaware) but I would recommend hiring an attorney if you've never done this before. If you do something wrong it can get thrown out and you have to start over.

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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

It's good that you have an attorney to help you here but not sure what can be done in this circumstance. Please keep us posted

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Cleveland, Ohio

Quote from @Steve Maginnis:

@Laura Stayton, I can understand letting an owner decide between several qualified applicants, but an owner should not be able to deny anyone who is qualified. Gone are the days when you could disapprove of someone because they showed up to the showing with a nasty, junk filled car, late and with an attitude. If they meet the criteria, they should be approved. We all need to have strict qualifications in place and make sure we abide by them. If we do not approve someone because they were obnoxious during a showing, that can only open the door to a discrimination lawsuit. You can discriminate against someone for being an idiot or filthy, but be ready to prove that in court. We have to be very transparent in these situations. Either they meet the qualifications or they do not. Just make sure your qualifications are in writing and provided to the applicant prior to applying.

Absolutely right, I should have clarified that. We are VERY strict with Fair Housing and the owner provides the parameters for qualifications ahead of time and then chooses based on those. We do not let them deny for any reason (definitely fair housing violation) and inform them with the onboarding what the requirements are.

1 Vote

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

No it wouldn't be unusual to offer a year lease now. Long term good paying tenants are always the goal with us, saves a ton on prep costs between tenants, vacancies, fees to management company etc.

In Delaware if someone is breaking their lease and gives notice to move you have to try to "mitigate damage" to existing tenant by marketing for new tenant right away as well. This is in your best interest (and theirs) so they generally cooperate with showings making it fairly easy to do assuming the property is in decent shape.

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New York City, New York

Many owners think all real estate agents know how to do property management. There are some good ones but you have to be careful. We process applications but have our individual owners make the decision to accept or deny. What is the tenant blowing out of proportion?

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Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Rently has this self showing lockbox available. Not sure what their minimum number would be for an account with them but worth looking into.

1 Vote

Quote from @Craig Peterson:

Hi all, hoping for some advice in the following situation.

I have a rented apartment (Arizona) with one inherited tenant on the lease. Apparently his girlfriend had been living there as well without being on the lease. He was late on April rent, then I got a call from the girlfriend saying he moved out and she was still there. She was wanting to know how to proceed. My plan was to screen her like any normal tenant, sign a new lease, have her catch up on April rent, and move forward. Since that call, she has stopped returning all calls and texts. Rent has not been caught up. I started eviction paperwork for the original tenant even though he's physically gone.

What are the next steps with the girlfriend since she's not on the lease? Is she technically trespassing? Do I put a notice to enter on the door then change the locks? What are my options?

Thanks so much if you've been through this and have advice!

I'm not sure in Arizona but this happened to us in Delaware. Original long term tenant passed away and brother stayed. Said he was going to apply and stay but never did and never paid rent. Had to go through JP Court as usual and wait for the lockout with the constable. Once constable came we were able to change locks and take possession but took awhile.

Good luck.

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Quote from @Maquel Russon:

I rent a by the room in a duplex near two big colleges, it has 5 bedrooms on each side. I have used Rentler before to price the rent but it doesn't make sense to use it because if I put that it is a one bedroom the price comes back as a one bedroom apartment. Would pricing as a 5 bedroom and then divide by each rooms square footage make sense?

University housing pricing cannot be assessed through traditional means since it's higher than the norm. You will need to check other rental comps in the area and go from that. If you don't have access to information like this you should consider a property manager or agent who does. Many times (in Delaware) you can have a 5 bedroom but the zoning is such that they limit you to 4 non related people for renting so you'll need to check that as well. Lots of variables. And make sure when you do get it rented that you have one parent of each student apply as well (and list them on the lease)

Good luck!

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Provo, Utah

Agree with @Nathan Gesner. Definitely something I would insist upon to be assured the billed work is actually being done, for your own records, and to ensure no extra fees are being charged. Red flags here.

1 Vote

Huntsville, Alabama

Yes, great job, that's how you help investors. Obviously they know what they were doing. Love the porch

1 Vote

All Forum Posts by: Laura Stayton

Laura Stayton has started 1 posts and replied 248 times.

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