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All Forum Posts by: Linda Thomas

Linda Thomas has started 79 posts and replied 158 times.

Post: Looking for help - tenant that filed an appeal

Linda ThomasPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Allentown PA
  • Posts 159
  • Votes 35
Quote from @Ethen Armstrong:

Have the same issue currently, and every investor I am talking to says I need to get an attorney and have them handle it. Which is frustrating and costly.

Sorry to hear that you are having the same issue and yes it is very costly and time-consuming and and frustrating

Post: Final payment question

Linda ThomasPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Allentown PA
  • Posts 159
  • Votes 35
Quote from @Tim Miller

 That "TRACK RECORD" can be destroyed in one single move. Just tell the tenant that you have to do what is best for your business and file that eviction. I'll lay money that the pay check on June 28, 2023 isn't going to you. It's going to go to the next landlord for her new unit. 

I agree, that is exactly what I was thinking and the rent for June that was due to me was most likely what she used for the SD to hold the new place. I think she is just making excuses and doesn't plan on paying me a dime. thank you all for all your advice. !!

Post: Final payment question

Linda ThomasPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Allentown PA
  • Posts 159
  • Votes 35
Quote from @Melanie Thomas:

File file file! Send her to collections for any unpaid balance. It NEEDS to show up on her credit report. Only way people learn, IMO. Good luck, happy investing! 


 How do I send her to collections? 

Post: Final payment question

Linda ThomasPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Allentown PA
  • Posts 159
  • Votes 35
Quote from @Nathan Gesner:

Yes, I would start the eviction. She can move out early if she can't afford the rent. 

Why start eviction? Because she may decide to stay even longer than June! If you start the process, there's a good chance she'll leave early. If she stays, at least she won't stay past June knowing that the eviction trial is coming.

Nathan, over the past 5 yrs they have been late a few times per year but have always paid the late fees would you still file for eviction. She is telling me she is back to work and will get paid from her employer on the 28 and that is the latest i would get my rent and late. Fees hard to believe at this point.
she told me her track record should speak for itself as she has always paid what is due .

Post: Final payment question

Linda ThomasPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Allentown PA
  • Posts 159
  • Votes 35

Hello all,

I decided to not renew a lease with a tenant that has been very problematic in the past. The lease expires on 6/30. They owe over 500 bucks in water and sewer bills and will owe even more with the final water bill. And now they are telling me that they do not have the rent for June which is the final rental payment. I asked if they can pay even a portion of the rent? Tenant states that she got injured at work and out on work comp awaiting payments. Would you file for eviction at this point? or not even worth it? Hoping they actually do move out on 6/30. I only have 1 month SD in the amount of $775.00 how would you handle this? 

Post: tenant disputes a security deposit in court.

Linda ThomasPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Allentown PA
  • Posts 159
  • Votes 35
Quote from @Nathan Gesner:
Quote from @Linda Thomas:

It looks like they can sue for double the amount.

I manage 400 rentals, 13 years experience. I have never had a tenant sue me in court over a security deposit dispute. Not once. If you document before/after with photos and you handle the deposit within the timeline allowed, there's almost no risk of being sued.

So even if I send them the itemized list with all the deductions and the receipts within the 30 days they can still take me to court and request double

Post: tenant disputes a security deposit in court.

Linda ThomasPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Allentown PA
  • Posts 159
  • Votes 35
Quote from @John Underwood:

Did you follow the law on handling the security deposit? If so you shouldn't need to worry.

Take a copy of the relevant law with you to court and show how you followed it.

I diid, i sent the letter as requires by law within the 30 days with the details in depth of the deductions but they do not agree. I have my move in chexklist and was just trying to figure out if i withheld 900.00 if they can request double that amount?

Post: tenant disputes a security deposit in court.

Linda ThomasPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Allentown PA
  • Posts 159
  • Votes 35

Hello, 

I have been researching to see if there is a certain amount that the tenant can be awarded if I were to lose a dispute for the security deposit in Pennsylvania as I have heard in some states it can be 3x the amount of the deposit. Does anyone know if that is the case or what the exact law is in Pennsylvania? if so, if you can provide a link as well for my reference I would grealty appreciate it. 

Thanks,

Post: Tenant replaced stove without my knowledge and now issue with stove

Linda ThomasPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Allentown PA
  • Posts 159
  • Votes 35

Update: 

repairman said the broiler cannot be fixed ,the stove is not safe for anybody to use so the tenant that vacated left me a piece of crap I'm going to charge the $75 service call from the technician from her security deposit and I guess I will look for a used stove and charge her a portion or prorated  amount not sure how much need to try to fig out

Post: Tenant replaced stove without my knowledge and now issue with stove

Linda ThomasPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Allentown PA
  • Posts 159
  • Votes 35
Quote from @Caroline Gerardo:

@Bill B. genius receipt and call the place. They had to haul away the broken one, no?

Nine years and this is the single and only problem with tenant ever? If they were perfect charge them for the repair. What would break a gas stove? Are there burn marks on the wall???


 So you would ask for receipt and call and confirm haul of old one? What if they don't have receipt or say bought on marketplace? There were other issues too not perfect tenant. No burn marks on walls or cabinet above.