All Forum Posts by: Michael Nahm

As this site hosts so many great minds, I'm back for some advice:

We own a great townhome in MN.

We've had a terrific family in the home for nearly 4 years (and another family that lived there for 4 year before as well).

The HOA's Rules & Regulations specify that in the event of a rental, the owners will pay the Management Company a specific cost for a background and credit check. We abide by that rule and take great pride in following the HOA's Rules & Regulations.

The HOA recently (a little over a year ago) changed the management company that oversees the property.

We just received an email from the management company, asking if our home was a rental (it's in their records along with the current lease), and if so, that we need to pay a $200 fee annually to them for having a rental.

Going over the Rules & Regulations, there is absolutely no word on such a fee. 

We haven't responded to their message and I'm wondering if I can refute it in any way. 

Beyond the high amount they charge for their credit and background check, this $200 a year seems like a money grab.

Would appreciate some insight to see whether I have an argument here or have no choice but to pay them.

Thank you all for the insight and pointers. Definitely a learning experience. I’m going to resend them the balance of their deposit.

By the way, the two techs that came were from two different water heater companies, which I’d obviously not use again. It does make me wonder about everyone’s professional competence now.

As for a pet fee, there wasn’t one. Nor was there a pet deposit, as it was an emotional support animal (though we never charge pet rent anyway, only a refundable pet deposit).

Hello fellow BPers,

Recently, I had great tenants that moved out after 3 years in a townhome. After they moved, in a routine clean-up, we discovered some broken refrigerator drawers that needed replacing (not really something we would see in a normal walk-through).

We purchased new drawers, seeking reasonable prices because the fridge’s manufacturer had outrageous prices for the items, and we were able to save more than half of the cost used from the security deposit.

So far so good. There was also some damage that we withheld a small amount for repair.

We sent the balance of the deposit to their forwarding address.

MN has a 21 day deposit return guideline. We were well within the timeframe.

However, later, it was discovered that there was no hot water in the home. Thinking the water heater was out, we called a tech, who flushed the system and said all is good. Then he couldn’t get it to light. He left.

We then called another company to check it the following day, that tech suggested replacement.

He replaced the unit, then couldn’t light it either.

Turns out, the former tenants called the gas company and requested gas be SHUT OFF to the home.

In other words, the original unit didn’t need replacing.

We called the gas company, who confirmed that they only did what the tenants asked, which was to do a shut off, and can schedule a turn on.

After checking that the security deposit check wasn’t yet cashed by the former tenants, we canceled the check and immediately sent them a message indicating what took place, the expense and time spent due to their actions, and a request to send the balance of our expenses, which now were more than the deposit balance.

Now they hired an attorney and are demanding the balance.

In the meantime, the townhome’s association sent us a complaint stating that the patch of grass in front of the home needs repair at the owner’s expense because the tenants’ pet continuously urinated in the same areas, causing damage. Now while the association covers lawn care, it excludes pet damage.

So now there’s even more damage that they are not even aware of, well beyond the statutory term to return their deposit.

Advice, likelihood of recovering expenses and the like are welcome.

You are correct Bruce, I have never had a smoker in any of our rentals.

I thought of prohibiting smoking in the unit, yet realistically know that it can’t really be enforced.

As for the deposit, Minnesota doesn’t have a limit as to the amount that can be charged.

I’m really torn on this, maybe it really is because I didn’t have to deal with the aftermath.

Once more, seeking wisdom on BP.

I have a potential tenant who has great credit and all looks well, however, he is a smoker.

I realize that I can’t control everything, and to each his own, and he didn’t have to be honest about smoking.

I’d like to approve him, though would like a higher deposit to mitigate potential damage.

Any advice would be appreciated (how much, if there’s anything else I need to account for).

Hi all,

Am again seeking from the wisdom of the forum.

We have three rentals up for rent. A potential tenant saw two of them, likes one and after plenty of back and forth with questions and information, she applied with her sibling.

I personally think application fees are a lot of money to spend, so we routinely stop all showings until an application is processed.

We approved the applicants.

Now the fun part. They made an appointment to see the house again, prior to signing a lease. We wait, they don’t show.

We call, and the applicant says we made plans to meet the following day instead.

Sure. It happens. Our bad.

Next day, no show again, and this time, no response either.

The lease is yet to be signed.

I realize things happen (they also requested a delay in the move in date). But haven’t ever had issues with flakiness after approval.

Wondering what to do.

Hi all,

Would like to get your thoughts on the following, which I'm trying to decipher, unsuccessfully.

I'm in the process of screening a potential tenant, and a search on the state's court records

pulled up a Housing Court case.

Normally, I'd stop there, because usually it means there was an eviction (this case is from 2021,

so fairly recent). However, the Plaintiff is a Bail Bonds company.

The public records only gives the plaintiff and defendants' names, and no other details.

I can't think of a reason that a bail bonds company would sue someone in Housing Court, so it

doesn't look like an eviction.

Would appreciate your thoughts on whether I'm dodging a bullet here.

Hi all, 

I have a long-time tenant that was in place when we purchased the property years ago.

The original Lease, which we honored, had an Occupancy Agreement for the tenant's partner.

Recently the partner left the property and would like to end the Occupancy Agreement.

The partner is not on the Lease and is not liable for the rent.

I was wondering if there is anything specific that should be signed (I've never dealt with an Occupancy Agreement before).

Thank you, and appreciate any insight.

@Scott M.

Yes, I do have pictures of the kitchen, indicating it was not damaged, including the move-in walkthrough form.

Once more, seeking BP wisdom.

I just had a solid tenant move out after nearly 4 years (always paid on time).

The rental was left in less than desired shape, and one of the issues I’m having trouble assessing cost for, is the kitchen countertop.

I’m attaching a picture, because it is difficult to describe. 

I’m wondering if this is fixable or whether I should change the countertop (the kitchen isn’t very large, standard condo size, so countertop isn’t grandiose). 

Also wondering what I should deduct from the deposit since the countertop isn’t new, however, it was immaculate when the tenant moved in.

Any advice welcome.