All Forum Posts by: Melanie Thomas

Sorry you’re dealing with this. Stick to the terms of your lease— they’ve broken them, so hold them accountable. Its a slippery slope when you start to deviate from the agreement. Good luck & happy investing!

Sorry you’re dealing with this. Stick to the terms of your lease— they’ve broken them, so hold them accountable and send the notice. Good luck & happy investing!

That’s an exciting career change! Since you already manage your own rental, you’ve got a great foundation. My quick tips: focus on strong communication, stay organized, and learn the local landlord-tenant laws inside and out. Property management is all about problem-solving and keeping both owners and tenants happy. I’m always happy to be a resource for any questions as I currently manage 850+ SFHs. Good luck & happy investing!

Let the new property manager take care of this. They'll post a notice on the door and proceed with eviction if the tenants choose not to communicate or pay. I’m sure the tenants will change their tune once they receive a notice to vacate. Good luck & happy investing!

Hey Kevin! I’ve got a good one to share, feel free to message me. I’ve tried posting links before to help others, but I got flagged for "self-promotion." Good luck & happy investing!

It sounds like there could be a few things going on. Since the water heater is only 5 years old, it’s probably not time to replace it just yet. Here are a few things to check:

• Thermostat Setting: Make sure the thermostat is set correctly. It could be off even though it’s on the highest setting.
• Sediment Build-Up: Over time, sediment can build up in the tank. Flushing it out might improve performance.
• Pipe Insulation: If the pipes aren’t insulated, heat loss could be the issue. Adding insulation could help.
• Usage: If the tenant is using a lot of hot water, it could simply be that the heater is being stretched too thin. Consider staggering use or installing a timer.
• Leaks: Check for any leaks in the water heater or pipes.
• Pressure Relief Valve: Make sure it’s functioning correctly. If it’s not, it could affect the water temperature.

If these don’t help, a plumber might need to take a closer look. Good luck & happy investing!

Yikes! 1000% agree on keep documentation tight!

I took on an occupied property where the tenants had been there for over 10 years, and no inspection had ever been done. After some back-and-forth with the tenant, we finally got in for an inspection. To our horror, the tenants had been hoarding cats! There was an overwhelming amount of poop and pee all over the place, and not a single clean surface in the entire house. The damage was absolutely insane—it ended up being a complete gut job.

Hi everyone,

I'm curious to hear from property managers who focus on single-family homes and similar rental properties.

When a tenant gives notice to vacate, do you allow them to swap tenants, or do you consider the notice to vacate as notice for all tenants in the lease?

Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of each approach based on my experience:

Tenant Swapping:

Pros:

• Tenant Retention: Keeps the property occupied, which helps avoid vacancy periods.
• Minimizes Turnover Costs: No need for cleaning, marketing, or re-screening tenants if the new person is already known.
• Flexibility for Tenants: Can be seen as a more tenant-friendly approach, allowing them to find a replacement without facing penalties.

Cons:

• Risk of Unknown Tenants: The new tenant might not be as reliable as the original one, leading to potential issues down the line.
• Lease Violations or Delays: If the new tenant doesn’t meet the lease requirements or fails to sign a new agreement, this can lead to complications.
• Operational Complexity: Keeping track of the lease terms, managing paperwork, and ensuring proper screening for new tenants can increase administrative work.

Notice for All (One Notice to Vacate for Everyone):

Pros:

• Clear Expectations: Everyone knows what’s expected, and there are no surprises with last-minute tenant changes.
• Consistency: Easier to manage leases and tenant turnover with a straightforward system.
• Quality Control: You can screen all tenants that are moving in, ensuring the new occupant meets your standards.

Cons:

• Longer Vacancy Periods: The property may stay vacant for longer, especially if finding a replacement tenant takes time.
• Tenant Frustration: Current tenants may not be happy with the requirement to vacate, even if they want to stay.
• Marketing and Re-screening Costs: You’ll have to go through the process of finding and screening new tenants, potentially leading to increased costs and downtime.

I’d love to hear what others are doing! Do you allow tenant swapping, or do you prefer the "one notice for all" policy? What’s been your experience with either approach?

Looking forward to your feedback!