All Forum Posts by: Mags S.

First let me preface, until now, all my tenants had (a single family property) utilities in their names and this was a requirement to lease.  I know, I know, I’ll just say, I’ve never had an issue where the utilities were not paid.  Until now. The tenant got behind on the water bill and finally made arrangements/agreement with Water company to pay a specific amount monthly to bring the account up to date.  Tenant’s lease terminates at the end of this month and since tenant has made agreement with water company regarding outstanding bill, I was going to renew.  (The tenant has always paid the rent on time for the 2 years they have lived there.)

 I attempted to speak with the water company about this agreement but appears since acct is in tenants name, I could not get any answers.  Does anyone know if this water company agreement is legally binding?

Does anyone have any suggestions on how i should handle this?  Should I include in new lease that these monthly payments be made directly to me?  I will be writing a new lease since current lease terminates and does not automatically renew. It appears that i should prolly put the water utility in property owners name and bill tenants monthly.  What and how do other landlords do? What specifically do you put in the lease?  Thanks for ur insight.

@scott 

@Scott Tompkins  I’m sorry Scott as I’m just seeing this after several months away.  State Farm. 

@jeff t   Have the pm send you the credit history instead of reading it to you over the phone.  Learning to understand it can only help you in this business.  I agree, the format stinks

Speak with your insurance agent. I’m on east coast and both my personal and rental properties have knob and tube. Insured with no issues; they didn’t expect all K&T removed, but did want evidence of electrical updating.  Especially, the electrical box.

Georgee Gilbert.  I do not ask for a specific credit score, but I do state ‘acceptable’ credit.  I do all the other checks, using smart move. Verifiable income and verifiable employment. 

If you are not familiar, read and understand the local housing leasing rules.  Get the required local permits. Finalize a lease template and your application process. Implement a screening process. Create ads and marketing on Zillow that will populate other user sites.  

I always have applications on a table that can be freely taken, however, I have already sized up the potential tenant at the showing and ask them directly how their credit is and anything else appropriate that is important to me.  If they say something that would eliminate them from the process, I let them know at that time that “it prolly won’t work out’. 

You prolly want to have your minimum standards developed and in place before you begin looking for a tenant.  Don’t alter your minimum requirements to fit a potential tenant.  The tenant that meets all your requirements is the right tenant.  Also add an extra 30 days to your tenant search timeline so you don’t feel compelled to go with a substandard tenant.

My minimum standards are attached to each rental application. The potential tenant must sign it and return with the completed application.  I used the bigger pockets rental app form.

is advertising adequate?  What sets your place apart from others in the area? Gorgeous Photos 

Don’t modify your requirements/standards to accommodate a potential tenant.