All Forum Posts by: Marcia Maynard

So, anything about the other successful bidder that got the other 1/2? Are they a pro or someone wanting to self occupy? Any chance they would sell to you?

Thanks BP friends for the tips. Several years ago I invoiced a tenant for charges that exceeded her security deposit. She mailed me a check for the amount due. I deposited it into our bank account and found out later that she stopped payment on the check. We contacted her, and she said she was disputing some of the charges and would write us a letter. Was going to respond when I received the letter, but never did receive her dispute letter. I was bewildered and not very savvy as to how to handle it. I waited a long time trying to decide what to do, then it dropped off my radar. Lost $350. Ouch.

@Account Closed The date of tenancy begins after the lease agreement is signed, move-in monies (rent, deposit, etc) are paid, and keys are given to the tenant. If I give a move-in concession of a few days free rent it doesn't mean I allow them to move-in before the date stated on the lease agreement, it only means I will not charge them for the few days. The lease agreement will always show the official date when the tenant gained possession.

Sounds like two separate issues.

1. Grease in the drain pipe.

2. Tenant's notice to vacate prior to expiration of the lease.

About the grease in the drain pipe.... Does her move-in report (if you got it from the previous owner) say the drains were clear upon move in? If you don't have record that they were, then let it go. BTW, the plumber cost for this type of repair seems extremely high; was there something else going on with the plumbing?

About a tenant ending a lease early because of military duty.... The tenant has some protections, research these and request appropriate documentation from the tenant that proves this is the real reason she is leaving.

As for return of the security deposit and final accounting, follow the applicable landlord-tenant laws for your jurisdiction.

Delve into Bigger Pockets. Listen to the pod casts, read the articles, use the search feature to find answers to your questions as you go, post your own forum questions if you can't find the answer, share your experience and knowledge with others.

Develop a business plan, including mission, vision and values. Create an effective marketing statement.

Family relationships are important to maintain. Make sure your loved ones are on board with you, either as a partner in the business or as a cheerleaders!

Best wishes!

Three approaches for itemizing cleaning and repair.

1. Flat rate.

2. Labor & Materials.

3. Contractor Invoice.

If you have it in your lease agreement, you can charge a non-compliance fee for specific breaches of the lease. We have non-compliance fees for unauthorized occupants, unauthorized pets, smoking on the premises, tampering with smoke/CO alarms, obstructing egress, noise nuisance and misuse of garbage/recycling bins.

@Steve Candor Interesting results. What was your Gorilla Tape technique? Would it work for other pests as well?

If they need a few extra days prior to the start of the month to transition from their former residence to mine, I will give them those few days free as a "move-in concession." The most I ever gave away was two-weeks, in a case where the tenant would have been stuck paying two rents during the overlap. Starts the tenancy off with some good will.

If they are physically moving too fast (which happens on the one-day move), there is more chance of damages occurring to our unit. So, scheduling a few days to move is benficial and usually puts people at ease. BTW, I loan a few painters drop cloth runners for move-in day, as well as some of those furniture sliders. Helps protect our property during the move-in when typically there is a lot of traffic coming in and out of the house.

It is good to invest in making units more accessible, as it benefits not only people with disabilities but others as well. We have made a few standard upgrades for people who request it, such as chair height toilets and hand rails. We took out carpet and put down linoleum for a tenant in a wheel chair.

On more than one occasion social service support agencies have done the modifications (with our approval) and paid for it. Oversee the quality of the work. We have some very long term tenants (two over 20 years, three over 10 years) who wouldn't have stayed otherwise.

Also, most leases provide for the tenant to return the unit to the original condition after move out if you so desire. You must allow for reasonable accommodations.

[Disclosure: I worked at a major medical center for fourteen years as the ADA coordinator and manager of accessibility services, so it's easy for me to see the possibilities. No legal advice.]