All Forum Posts by: Marie S.

I just went through this. I just can't afford a PM right now. This is what I did:

I sent a letter and scheduled a time to meet. This gave me an opportunity to see how my tenants were REALLY treating the place. I made sure that they understood that I'm not making a note to instantly confiscate their deposit. I just need to know the condition of the place and if there is anything that I need to fix right away. If there is anything that is not normal wear and tear, they will have the opportunity to find a reasonable and reputable place to fix it.

They instantly unloaded every frustration with the place and appreciated me being upfront with them. I appreciated them telling me everything that's wrong: what was supposed to be fixed but the last landlord didn't get around to doing, what would be nice to have and so on.

One lady was so terrified that I was coming in to kick her out so she was looking for somewhere else to live. I had a chance to assure her that it was not in my intentions to kick out a "rent paying drama free" tenant.

One girl was upfront. She wanted to stay but she couldn't afford to based on when her other bills paid. I worked out a bi-monthly plan with her and her boss so that I'm paid directly from her check and we're both happy. She'll get to stay until the end of her lease. (I don't plan to make that a habit).

I have a lady that guards my parking space when she knows that I'm coming in and one waits at the door when I come to collect rent.

It's not about being friends with your tenants. One visit just sparked a relationship of mutual respect.

The condition of the leaking spout was noted in the initial inspection. He agreed to fix the problem and I'm kind of taking it as a loss because the agreement doesn't say "how" he was going to fix it. His idea of fixing it is removing it completely I guess.

We didn't catch it on the final walk-through as there was a lot of going back and forth on other major items of the house where I felt was my first priority. In hind sight, I should have just negotiated a little harder to get a larger check to cover re-fixing some items. I just let the waiting get next to me I guess (5 months and some change to close).

It's a learning experience for me.

The plumber is going to give me an estimate this week. (He's been really great to work with since I had him come in for other jobs -- very reasonable guy.) It may cost me a lot more to sit down with a lawyer than it would be to just fix it.

I know it seems like I'm crying over spilt milk, but this incident just seemed like the straw that broke the camel's back. There were several incidents where if I had not had inspections backed by ethically driven people, I would have had to come out of pocket for some major items. They didn't have to help me fix the issues, but it was an oversight and they did.

I thought multiple inspections were a bit of over kill and now I'm learning that going through an couple more times definitely wouldn't have hurt.

I think the order should be:

1.) Home Inspector

2.) Specialized inspector (Plumber, Electrician, Landscaper, etc.)

3.) Fix the problem

4.) Home inspector

5.) Specialized inspector again.

6.) Repeat step 3-5 as needed.

My error was skipping 5.

My contractor showed my how something can "look" fixed but no actually be fixed. Sooo... Lesson Learned and I'll put this one in my pocket for my next deal.

Thank you @Tom Goans . However, I wouldn't take action or take drastic measures based on a post in a forum. I'm trying to figure out if it's worth seeing an attorney. I probably should be a lot more direct with my question.

I simply would like to know if anyone else has had this or a similar experience and if there was a positive outcome. I'm trying not to dish out money for an attorney if the general consensus has been unsuccessful in resolving the issue.

@Michaela Graham it is an outside spout. I didn't notice it until I returned with a bottle of weed eat and a water hose and had no spout to plug into. I'll check with a plumber to see if this is a simple job.

The spout was there during the initial inspection but now its just gone. Poof!

I went through a final walk through before closing and everything that I requested to be fixed seemed to either be fixed or had been "tacked in place" to appear fixed. I got it. The sellers really didn't have the money to get professionals to do everything. I would rather know what to keep my eye on. I know what to expect and I lined up professionals to come in and fix the things that should be fixed.

One problem...

I focused so hard on the inside issues and the roof that I had a quick oversight of the...

MISSING WATER SPOUT!!!

The water spout outside is completely missing! Removed and concreted and stucco over where it used to be. No way to water the lawn. No way to spray...

Is there some type of rule on sellers disclosing major changes like this?

I'm otherwise okay with my purchase, but jeez give me a break!

Thanks! I've noticed that the placed smells better already. Even the common stairways smell better and it's only been a week.

No the apartment was empty when we originally walked through. It didn't smell. It wasn't in top notch condition but it wasn't smoked out. I'm not trying to charge for every little thing, just help with having to get the smell out.

I inherited tenants in my recent investment a few weeks ago. I decided to put a new lease in place that prohibits smoking in the building amongst other loosely address issues. Two of the tenants decided that they wanted to leave prior to the lease ending.

Is it wrong to charge a tenant for “de-smoking” their apartment when they leave even though the last landlord said nothing about the smoking in the first place?

The carpet will have to be replaced, the walls will need to be painted etc. etc. etc. and God help me etc.

I’ve been living in the building and have to wash the hallway walls and spray and polish the banisters/stairs to keep the halls from smelling so bad. The apartments are worse.

I'm purchasing a 4-unit. The sellers are still interviewing for prospective tenants. They won't allow for early possession for renovation.
The current screening process is not good. The leases are not solid. (2.5 pages double spaced, large font, includes headings.)

Does anyone have a "Cash For Keys" agreement? What are some things that I shouldn't forget to add? What are some things that can go wrong?

That sounds good! Thanks!