All Forum Posts by: Marina Loos

Quote from @Andrew Steinhaus:

@Marina Loos

In not paying the penalty, what sort of resistance did you get and did you need to get a legal rep involved? My concern is of course, should I pay and be done, or will a legal battle cost more.. looking for minimal damage. thanks

I actually spent a few days organizing my information in case I had to take it to an attorney but honestly, my email (and the fact that we had 3 months of a constant email back and forth) was all I needed to end it amicably. There are some businesses that would want to avoid a fight if they could.  -- To top it off, I offered to pick up the keys and they insisted it would be easier to mail it back to me - of course the keys never got delivered.  Best of luck to you. 

Yes move on. They're not living up to the contract if they are not performing. I ended my relationship with my first PM (a very large well known company) because they couldn't get a renter and kept bugging me to lower my price. Long story short - I wrote down all my grievances and told them of how unsatisfied I was. Yes there was a penalty for cancelling but no I did not pay it. That was 4 years ago. I got a new PM, raised the rent back up and they had a tenant in there 2 weeks later. 

Quote from @Thomas Johnson:

As an HVAC tech I can tell you that ANY of those "smart" thermostats are an issue.  Constantly get calls for issues and 9 times out of ten it's one of those thermostats.  As Forrest Gump's mother would say, "run Forrest, run"!

 I was actually going to have one installed in my own home and the tech that came in to install it actually talked me out of it saying the same thing. Says they are constant problems and it's better to stick with a regular one. 

I had to replace a sewer line back in 2018 and they had to excavate all the way down to the center of a residential street and close off a lane for a few days. Cost was $8000.00. I'm in the midwest. 

Thank you everyone. 

Earlier this year I tried to purchase umbrella insurance. I was told by State Farm and Progressive that since I had 2 previous claims (both in 2021) I would have to wait until 2023 to get approved. So now that 2023 is creeping in, a new issue occurred where I have to file another claim - this time on my duplex. Last month a tree that was on city property fell and hit a utility pole that in turn bent the riser on my roof. The Electrition stated that the riser technically does not have to be replaced because it is still functional, and there are no "kinks" that prevent it from working...yet...; however, the winter storms and ridiculously strong high winds we have here cause me to worry that the damage will eventually get worse.

He said that if he does fix it, he would have to replace the riser since its out of code, and would also have to replace the 2 meters that are also out of code and placed way too high.  The estimate was about $7000.

I decided to speak to someone at city hall first which was, of course, frustrating and made worse because the person was completely clueless and not helpful. She spoke to someone else about it and told me I'd have to hire and attorney to deal with it.

From what I have read about tree damages, I am still confused about what happens when a tree falls that is off my property, never had hung over my property, nor had I any knowledge of the trees health. 

Can anyone advise what if anything I should try before I contact my insurance company. Also, are there other insurance companies where I can get an umbrella insurance even with claims (3 in total with this issue) I have had in the past 2 years. -- None of the claims were frivolous 1 was for a house fire that was a complete re-do and one was for a roof.

thank you.

Quote from @Theresa Harris:

Have you talked to the electric company about replacing the meters?  When I bought a place a few years back, there were two meters on the property (one wasn't connected to anything).  When I called to get the services put in my name, they said they wanted to come out and look at the meters. They did and they removed the second one free of charge without being asked.  For my own home, they also just replaced all of the meters to digital ones that can be read from the sidewalk. Again the company did that and in that case they didn't even tell us it was being done.

Thanks Theresa. I can always give that a try although I am skeptical that that will happen. Doesn't hurt to ask. I know my meters are too high and have to be brought down per code. 

Recently a large tree outside my rental duplex came crashing down and hit a utility pole. The city immediately came out to fix the utility pole as it affected several houses on the street. I paid for the tree to be cut up and disposed of but the problem is the utility pole hit the riser on my roof and bent it. The Electrition that looked at it said that the riser is not up to code as the house was built in the 60s and that the meters would have to be replaced as well. This would cost me several thousands of dollars.  

Of course I have insurance and will contact them but I was advised to speak to the city first. I am heading down there tomorrow but fully expect the runaround from them. I have never dealt with the city for any issues before so I honestly don't know where to even start. I am wondering if the insurance will cover it if the city refuses to do anything about it without a fight. The tree was not overhanging in my property, it was really tall and had a long reach when it fell. (There is no other house on the side where the tree was).  Anyone have any thoughts on what my best course of action is so I can try and do this in the best and efficient manner. I've dealt with a big fire last year and that was a huge claim so I'm sure the insurance company isn't looking too fondly at another claim a year later (even though that's why I have them right?).

I am aware that damage caused by a tree on another property is my responsibility if limbs are hanging over on my side but in this case the entire tree fell and I don't see how I am responsible to monitor the health of a tree that is city property. 

The duplex is in the state of NE.   Thank you everyone.

Quote from @Paul De Luca:

Quote from @Luka Milicevic:

I mean....they don't NEED renters insurance. 

In my leases I clearly state and I verbally explain to tenants that my home owners policy does NOT cover their belongings. 

I also give them an example: If the house burns down and you lose all your belongings, my insurance won't cover any of it. I highly advise you get a policy to cover your personal belongings. 

If they don't want to get it, that's on them. 

 This is the same approach I have. Should I really demand proof of renters insurance from the tenant before they move in if my lease already explains this?

 Absolutely! My property manager requires a copy of the renters insurance (each adult tenant needs their own renters insurance) and it is specifically stated that it cannot be cancelled during their tenancy. 

This was my first big damage so I probably did go in like a deer in the headlights. I went to my insurance and my insurance company, after paying me out, subrogated the renters insurance companies and then I had to get the remaining sum from the renters insurance.