All Forum Posts by: Mary Ann Aulbur

Government programs require additional paperwork, time, and lessens my control of the rental.  I do m2m.  I do not want to do yearly leases.  I want ease of evicting a tenant that is trouble.

I agree that government programs are necessary for desperate people in terrible situations.  I am glad we have them.  If they accepted my criteria, I would rent to people on government assistance.  But it is doubtful that their paperwork would diminish and they would rent month to month.

So far I have not seen any reference to the inside of the cabinets.  Are they all wood or particle board?  Are you doing any work yourself or does a contractor do all?  All wood, sturdy cabinets may be worth restoring if you are involved with labor.  If contractor is totally involved with work, replacement doors may be enough for cabinets with good bones.  Even top and bottom cabinets do not have to match anymore.  So either could be replaced with just matching hardware to the bottom and top.

Lots of counter space would impact my replacement ideas.  Granite tile, laminate, or a mixture of surface materials would look good and keep the budget on track. 

Floor could be done with vinyl planks and back splash could be done with strips of the same material as counter.  Sometimes labor for floor and back splash can be more than the material so keep it simple.

I've read a lot of good ideas here and think they are all valid in the right situation. In my town, less expense is imperative to make a profit. Rents and resale values are still low for SFH.

Wish we knew what happened.  Very frustrating to not know what was done.  Also raises questions on what information was the most useful in this situation.

I do not require last month's rent in my working class neighborhood, but I do require proof that the utilities are in the tenant's name before the keys are issued.  Also, if they wish to move in before the first, I may give them 1 day free (last day of the month) for moving but if they need to move in for more than a day then rent is prorated and proof of utilities is required from date they open the door.

I will continue to take applications until I have all money in hand and will never hold a unit without money.  

I have only done rentals in 2 states and my family in another, but in all 3 states if a month to month rental leaves before giving 30 days notice, they can be charged for the full 30 days or until it is rented - whichever is least.

But with a year's lease, it is harder to get non-compliant or aggravating tenants to leave.  With a M2M it is only necessary to give them a 30 notice to leave.  Also, we rent to working class people so B and C neighborhoods.  So vacancy for us minimal and quickly filled because our rentals are clean and well kept when rented.  We rent in the Midwest and the laws are different than the east or west coast.

The nice thing about these forums is that we share ideas from all over the country and it truly helps us be better at our job and opens up our minds to new possibilities.

M2M seems a more logical approach to rentals.  It gives more flexibility for rent control.  It makes it much easier to evict if necessary.  Also, I see no benefit to the landlord to require a Y2Y lease.  A tenant can leave and the landlord must do all he(she) can to mitigate the tenant's financial responsibility by finding new tenants quickly.

My monthly leases do not discourage tenants from staying long term.  Nor do I have to tolerate bad behavior because they are locked in by a lease. 

You can deduct for missed rent if you had a clause in your lease stating at least 30 days notification of lease termination.  So $18.00 x 6 days.  Plus, repair costs.  Did you have an early termination fee in the lease?  That could be added.  But new locks, and search for new tenant are not chargeable fees in most states.  But if you check you local laws, you may come up with a few more allowable charges.

This is why I do M2M.  A year's lease seems to mean little to some tenants, but landlords can be locked into bad situations with tenants easily.  So glad you got a new tenant so quickly!

I so wish that we knew what happened. Did you lose the condo? Did you get a lawyer? Did you talk to HOA? Did you find out if the daughter really was a lawyer? Did that family have a criminal background? So many questions but so little answers!

I know this is an old thread but emotional support animals are for a diagnosed mental health issue from a trained professional  in mental health not just an ordinary MD.  Also, you can verify with said professional in writing.  Plus you can get in writing from tenant that they have such an animal and it is supported by a diagnosis from their said professional.  Since it is a crime to falsely claim an animal is an esa without a properly documented need, I would inform the tenant that as a law abiding citizen I would just have to report them.

If your lease did not say how many roommates and there is not an ordinance against 3 or 4 unrelated people living together, move in to the 4th bedroom.  Whoever does not like it can move!  Just do not apologize to them.  It is your house.  And if you do not move in, visit frequently.  Quiet enjoyment means you do not go in their room.  They are not in charge of entire house.  I have had roommates, and they will complain but if it is not illegal or in their lease, ignore them.  If they stop paying rent, evict immediately.  Roommates can be great and can also be high maintenance.