All Forum Posts by: Luis Rodriguez

Did you ever buy any property ? If so, how's it going ?

 Right, it can create a situation where we can end up with a unwanted tenant. It can take a longgg time to get someone evicted in NY.

You can't rent the basement on its own, it would be illegal. A lot of landlords still do it, but I don't want to be one of those landlords. There's only a half bath down there anyway.

We're in the middle of closing on a single family home and moving out of our investment property. Our unit is a first floor unit with a finished basement with access to the yard & garage. We discussed it with our realtor and he told us to think about keeping the basement for ourselves vs. renting both floors because people might try to rent it out. It's a 3BD/2.5BA, the half bath is in the basement with it's own space in the back. It's a good unit for someone staying with extended family to have the seperation. 

We don't need the space so I'd prefer to get the additional rental income.

What do you guys think ?

I think the main issue I have is that I'm a private person. I don't like the feeling of a tenant having video of me or my wife coming in and out of our home and us having to watch what we say. The soundproofing sucks and they might be able to hear what we say when we're in the front of the home even with the door closed if we're loud enough.

We've been here since 2016 and we've never had an issue with packages being stolen or any crime. It's a secluded part of Queens. If something did happen, we wouldn't mind providing any evidence. 

If we had another tenant here, I would ask them if they were okay with the other tenant being able to record them while they're in the front of the house.

I understand that, but I didn't get it to spy on my tenants. I got it for security, convenience, and protecting my investment in case something were to happen on the property and/or lease terms aren't being followed. We also have four additional cameras recording different areas outside the home.

So here’s the situation, we currently live in a duplex that we own. The doors for each unit are outside and side by side. We currently have a nest that faces the stairs that lead up to the doors so we can see who comes and goes to either unit.

We just signed a new lease with a tenant and they asked about installing their own nest or ring doorbell. My issue is privacy, I don’t want a tenant to see who comes and goes from my house or any convo’s I’m having with anyone.

I would think their security isn’t a valid reason since we already have one so that box is checked. I wouldn’t have an issue with sharing a video clip if something were to happen. It would really only be for their convenience of not having to come downstairs if they didn’t have to. 

Would you be okay with it as a landlord ?

Is it legal to tell them no ? This is in NYC.

I currently have a prospective tenant who applied to live in the unit above us who is overqualified. They currently own in NJ and are planning to keep that home and rent it out. The husband makes $140K/year as a software engineer and his wife is going to become a resident MD at a hospital near by and is going to make $60K a year. They have one young child. They look perfect on paper, but I just don't see them staying long. This isn't a neighborhood with a bunch of software engineers and doctors walking around. To be honest, this is probably one of the worst blocks in the neighborhood. Although, a pretty solid neighborhood all around. I'd like for them to stay at least two years, but I can see them jetting after one.

Fortunately, during these times, we have another good option but just wanted to get your opinion on overqualified tenants.

Hi,

My first tenant just left on 1/31. We live downstairs. A little more than a month ago we texted her about someone (her son) bouncing a ball off the hardwood floors and telling her nicely that it was an issue. It's the second noise complaint we've given her in 3+ yrs, which IMO is pretty good. Both times she's had an issue about it. After the first time we told her if she was unhappy, she can break her lease, but just give us thirty days notice. 

On 1/3/20, she gave her thirty days notice. We told her it was fine and thirty days would put her through 2/2/20. We would charge her a prorated rate of $75 per day for 2/1 and 2/2. We texted and emailed, she never replied regarding the subject. Fast forward to 1/31 she moves all her stuff out and we conduct the move out inspection. Everything is in good condition. She spoke to my wife about owing us $300 and my wife was confused and told her she didn't owe us $300.

On 2/3 I text her she owes us the $150 for the first and second, I have her security deposit, and to return her last set of keys (which she is returning late). She stops by and brings up the $300 again when the amount is $150. It's like she's arguing over why I am not asking for the $300 ? She even said "No, it was $300" when I told her it was $150. At this point, I'm sort of weirded out and she has this weird look on her face like can't comprehend. she says "I will have to seek legal advice over it and she would get back to me". Unfortunately, I gave her the security deposit.

I'm glad she's gone, she seems like a bit of a head case. We've overheard her on the nest telling a neighbor how strict we are so I'm sure she has said negative things about us. We've been great with repairs, and she was two weeks late with rent once and we waived the late fee.

I'm just the type of person who doesn't expect or want anything from anyone, so it bothers me to let this go and let her get away with it. I could of also scheduled work to start on 2/1 vs. starting on 2/3.

What are you guys thoughts ? I'm sure I could of handled this situation a lot better.

For folks who use cozy, do you guys manually list your apartments on Zillow and Trulia ?

I wish moving upstairs was an option, but our unit is basically double the size because of the basement, laundry, attached garage, and access to the yard.

I'd consider adding carpet upstairs, but they have a lot furniture/clutter.

I completely agree, Colleen. I understand kids will be kids, but as a parent you're going have to take control in certain situations. I'm pretty sure they came here after living in a single family house that they sold because of a divorce so he's probably use to doing whatever he wants, but thats no longer their situation and they have to realize that.