All Forum Posts by: Mike Williams

@Ned, I manage a few doors in the city as a side gig, in addition to my own properties. Basically from word of mouth. What does the Residential Mgmt. Professional designation get me? I really don't need anything other than referrals, and my own experience. I guess I could see it if I was doing property mgmt. as my main career and wanted that on my business cards....Otherwise I'm not sure it would change what I did tomorrow if all of a sudden I had it. Thanks!

Wasn't able to attend, what were the top 2-3 takeaways? I've had one rental license inspection done, last Friday 8/24. Passed but had to make a quick update to switch out 3 hard wired smoke alarms that were dated 2007, and thus >10 years old. Was able to do it same day so I passed. $160 for the inspection. Took about 40 minutes for a 2BR, 1BA rowhome in Patterson Place (1 block north of Patterson Park).

I just got quoted $200 for a single rowhome inspection. I agree this seems a bit high for such a basic checklist, for a 900 sq foot home, so naturally I'm wondering if anyone has an inspector they recommend that's more reasonably priced? I have more properties requiring inspections. Also wondering why there's not more noise about this new law on the boards here!! Thanks

I'll add my addition was done ~4 years ago. Thanks!

I had the opposite situation, where there was already an existing 2nd floor addition "bump-out" with nothing but the patio underneath. I added the 1st floor bump-out so the rear of the house would align with the 2nd floor bump-out, to make a laundry room. There was little plumbing involved (other than a water line for the washer) or structural changes needed (there was a concrete slab already where the patio was). It was about a 12' x 8' addition and ran approx. $10k. Included structure, siding, flooring, drywall, electrical. Hope that helps. And it was def worth it since having a washer/dryer in the house made it much more marketable to renters in that area (near Patterson Park).

YES definitely appeal. Did the exact same thing when I bought for much lower than the assessed value and got the assessment reduced to the price I paid. From the SDAT website:

If you purchase a property and the property is transferred after January 1 but before July 1, you may file an appeal within 60 days of the transfer.

Just include documentation and there's no reason it shouldn't work. Good luck.

My 2 cents: If the neighborhood allows, don't install either. Just something else to break/repair. If you can get away with just one, probably a dishwasher is better to install. Disposals frequently get clogged or break due to people thinking they can throw anything down the drain. They are cheap to replace, yes, but why have to deal with a clogged sink or broken disposal call at 2am?

I also think these items could be done quickly and cheaply by you. Deck board would have to be screwed down (nails will eventually pull up) or replaced entirely if it's warped beyond repair (simple enough: measure piece, buy at HD or Lowes, and install). Spackle the damaged drywall to make a smooth flat surface, then either add one row of tiles like you mentioned or just repaint with semi gloss and caulk, but tile would be a better permanent fix. Good luck!

A couple of follow up answers:

1) Are inspections completed by a city inspector or a 3rd party and are there any expenses associated with that? or is that basically tied into the rental registration fee? Housing inspections are only needed for Section 8 rentals in Baltimore City.

Maryland’s Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing law requires owners of rental properties built before 1978 to register their units with Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), this requires a Lead Paint Inspection by a licensed 3rd party. See costs in answer to #2.

2) Do you happen to have a ball park idea of what it costs to have a house inspected and Lead Certificate issued (pending there is no lead abatement required)? Inspection alone costs around $250-300, if lead paint is found the remediation can add much more. There are multiple levels of certification depending on how much remediation you choose to do, each certification level comes with corresponding requirements for routine re-certifications. In other words, a full lead free certificate means you basically never have to get a re-inspection, whereas a "modified reduction" certificate requires re-inspection annually and/or at each tenant turnover. So another $250. Google "MDE lead paint" for more info. But to get to full lead free status may require expensive work. Best to request a property's lead paint status before purchase assuming it has one so you know going in what you are dealing with. Hope this helps.

Thanks,

I had the same issue once, turns out after I pulled the stove out to clean behind it I saw the old galvanized drain pipe from the old kitchen sink had been cut, but left open. So sewer gas smell was creeping out of it. I capped it and problem solved. I tried everything until I found the true issue. Good Luck.