All Forum Posts by: Lisa Carpenter

The first time I rented, a realtor did everything for me.  He charged a 1.5 sales tax against the monthly rent fee.  I did not specify that I would be charging sales tax when I accepted their application and approved them.  I am meeting them in a few days to sign the lease.  Am I required to charge them the sales tax?   Or can I just charge them the rent fee?

Also do I have to write a check to the state for the sales tax, or is this done automatically when I file my taxes?

What is the best site to use to do background checks on potential new tenants? 

There lease is up end of March, so I am just riding it out.  Seeing as how that is when the refund of security deposits is brought up, I wanted to check.  Thank you for all your input.

Yes, there are obvious soil stains, the entire house has a very strong smell as well.  Not only will I have to get a high quality carpet cleaner, but the tile and grout will need to be cleaned as well.  I found out  there was a pet, due to the smell (she had a friend hide it while we came over to install a new oven).

My tenants got divorced and couldn't afford to pay the full rent.  Over the phone I said I would accept a smaller amount, knowing I could deduct it from their deposit.  This is legal correct?  

Also, I just found out they have pets and the property has a strict no pet policy. The lease does not state they will be fined if they bring a pet on without permission nor did it list any amount for a pet deposit, since no pets are allowed.  So the agreement does not state how much they would have pet for a deposit if they were allowed or if they would be fined for having one without permission. 

Since they broke the lease in two aspects, can I legally keep the entire deposit?  Or just the difference that I was shorted in rent and the cost to have the carpets and tiles professionally cleaned due to the pet mess.

Thanks for your advice!

Should a potential tenants minimum income be 3x the rent, before or after taxes?