All Forum Posts by: Linda S.

@Malachi P.

No, everything about this situation screams future problems. 

1)  The daughter can't even look for herself,  she's having her mom be the adult and try and find her housing.   I'd bet a lot of money, she'll never find a job, as long as mom's paying the bills, why would she?  Since she doesn't have any skin in the game, or reason to take care of the place, it is much more likely to get trashed.

2) Unless you are renting it furnished, who cares-- their problems are theirs, yours are yours.

3)   Desperation is never a good situation, they'll just continue to pass on their problems to you.. do you want to hear that maybe they get back together and because of that, maybe they only stay a few months and now you have to deal with turnover again.   Oh, or maybe the SO finds out where they live, and come bust in your door or busts some windows..    People who bring drama, are the drama.  The mom can be wonderful, doesn't mean her kids are.

Trust you gut-- hard pass.

@Bala Nagarajan,

Get their case manager involved, and CC them on all your correspondence, they probably hate this-- but it's essentially like a built-in-babysitter.   The S8 tenant does NOT want to lose their voucher, or ever look bad-- so they will be much more likely to comply if they are involved vs. only  you as a landlord.    

I have had s8 tenants yell at me, slam the door in my face, but when that case worker gets involved, a magical halo comes out and they become the nicest people and are quick to fix problems.  I had S8 a tenant leave couches/tables, trash, pots/pans and a ton of trash behind, but once I sent that email with the case manager, it got removed that day, no problems.  

That's your only power card is involving the case manager.

@Chris Renzi

"But, you did it last time?"    That's what they are going to say with every upcoming maintenance issue, and why was last time different than this time?   If they are struggling, and maybe have a car repair bill, soon they will be more aggressive about complaining in order to get stuff off rent... don't do it!    I'm sorry, stuff happens, my mortgage doesn't get any less because something in my house breaks. 

@Jim K.,

You are an example and an inspiration that shows hard work, creativity and grit can make you successfull!   So many people just want to buy the rainbows and butterfly story, but the reality is-- the real value on BP is from the SALTY OLD LANDLORDS (no offense!) like us!   The more pestimistic someone is, the more likely they have experience in being burned, and they have learned what works and what doesn't!  I used to be very pro low income, but the reality is, it's hard, and most people can't take the amount of work/dedication it takes.

I tell everyone, my saying for real estate "When it Rains, it Hurricanes!" ... it's tough, and the amount of stuff thrown at you is insane, that's why lower income rentals I say is a very sink/swim, and majority of the people sink because it's LEGIT HARD WORK.

Thanks for posting this on behalf of the another similar, grumpy landlord who has been there, and done too much! 

@Denise Evans,

It's shocking to me that landlords don't think it's their responsibility. In VA, you're required to check them every year. Every year we do it at our annual inspections, and without a doubt, we find some where tenants have removed the batteries, or removed the entire thing-- it's just common place-- tenants don't think safety.

Another thing I'd say, and I'm surprised it's not legally required-- is adding fire extinguishers!   We have them, and also additional fire protections such as a fire ball and a fire blanket.  Yes, you have to check them each year too,  but it's worth it!   We have saved 2 houses thus far, just being prepared.   Most tenants don't want their houses burned down, they'd rather stop a fire, so make sure your tenants have adequate safety tools to keep it small vs. entire house!   The more you can be proactive, the less reactive you have to be!

 Tenants don't ask specifically, they hint they will leave if you don't do something.    The only out of the box solution, is to use her deposit this month, and increase her rent $50-100.

@Account Closed,

This is a slippery slope of complaining, and she is hoping you will lower rent.     Let me just say, of all the tenants I have thought were "great tenants" ... only 10% did I think that after they moved out and I saw the turnover.     90%, I just thought.. oh wow,  all you did was actually pay on time. 

I'd absolutely let her out of the lease, and suggest she find some place more affordable.   It's not your job to solve her problems.

@Elvin William,

I'm going to guess you haven't been in the house recently and seen how your tenants are taking care of it, because that's where most experienced landlords are coming from.   No one ever complains of the rent coming in, but instead of the treatment/damages of the house.     Sounds like you haven't seen the turnover yet, but when  that happens, you will understand more.

@Mike Obrien,

I have been dealing with a similar thing, and unless you can see a crack in the foundation, it may just be a very poor tile installation job.     If it's not 100% perfect, it will be prone to crack, especially if the tenants are heavier or are rough on the house.    It's amazing to me how hard people can be on houses, seriously I used to think tile was the strongest.. nope! 

Before you spend thousands and thousands on this, go out there-- see for yourself with a GC, is there an issue with the foundation, or could it be that maybe they dropped something, and are blaming the house so you don't take it out of their deposit?    

I don't know Florida, but it seems like if it's been fine, and magically it's an issue now-- I'm thinking the tenants maybe dropped something heavy or it was a poor install ation job, and are blaming the house so you don't make them pay for it.    

Option 3 is to remove the tile and add LVT, maybe $5K cost. 

@Justin Brin,

Of all the times I have allowed tenants to paint, I have regretted it 100% of the time at move out.  No-- just NO, it's not worth it.   Tenants are sloppy and they will get it on your floors, baseboard/trim/etc, and you have no recourse because you gave them the green light.   NO.  

Now if someone asks, I say it must be professionally painted back and will cost around $200/room.  That often nips it in the butt pretty quickly!