All Forum Posts by: Wesley W.

Okay, I was "sold" on this product by an associate at a home improvement box store.  either I misunderstood, or he was uninformed.  I thought that the key included in the box was a "master" key, and that it could make another key(s) also work in the lock, but it turns out that once you use the original key to make another one work, the original one no longer works - making the new key the only working key.

So, an unintended consequence of this is an unscrupulous tenant could take another key of his/her liking, and "in 30 seconds" (as the vendor marketing claims) render his landlord's key useless by making his own key the "master key."  The rekey kits (with the little tool which I am sure can be improvised) are $10 in the box stores.

Anyone else see this as an issue, or had an experience similar to what I am describing?

Sure, tenants could change the locksets on any of us, but this takes waaaaaaay less time and effort to lock out the landlord.

Upstate is anything North of the Tappan Zee (IMO).

 I only have one Section 8 tenant, so N/A.

 Not in my market.  The Housing Authority dictates the "max rent" you can charge based on the number of bedrooms which, in my experience, is much lower than market rents.  Then you have the annual inspections which, again, in my market I would say is bordering on abusive.  I got a violation notice for an escussion ring that was not caulked to the shower wall for the shower head pipe and loose veneer trim on the edge of a bathroom vanity door.  I had to fix it in 30 days or the rent would be withheld.  This is why I am not keen on Section 8.  It's costing me money (in the form of loss to lease) and time (ticky-tack inspection violations).

@JD Martin

(1)  Roger that.  Good idea.

(2)  Not sure on the nature of the charge - they just said "distribution" in our only phone call.  Not sure how long they are at their current job, but they are relocating and taking a new job in this area.  It's not a good job (fast food chain), but their spouse has another income (blue collar) as well.

(3)  What if they sign everything as planned, but then move the mother in?  Okay, they are in violation of the lease, but I still need to go through the eviction process, no? Or does the mother not have "legal cause" to occupy the property (addressed in lease: Only those persons whose names appear on the lease may occupy your apartment without our prior written consent except guests for no more than 7 consecutive or 14 total days.), so could I just have her arrested for trespassing?

@Carlos Enriquez

I was told by an attorney that I could be accused of discrimination if I advertised "no section 8" (found a similar thread on BP saying the same), but to just say "the unit was not approved" because, as I understand, I can't refuse someone who is Section 8 just because they are Section 8 if they have the income to qualify.  It's legal semantics that I, admittedly, still don't fully understand.

@Alex Hamilton

All poiints you made is great food for thought - Thank you!

Hi folks - got a few tenant screening questions to add to the dozens of similarly-titled threads:

For context, these units are C+ in a working-class neighborhood, and rent for between $650 and $750/mo.

(1)  Tenant is a bartender, so their pay stub is not reflective of their true income.  How would you vet this?

(2)  Tenant has a felony from 2007 for drug conspiracy charges.  His probation officer has to approve his apartment before he moves.  If everything else doesn't throw up any red flags, would you rent to this person?

(3)  This last one comes with a backstory - enjoy!

Woman named "Joan" calls and asks if I take section 8.  I tell her yes, but this particular unit is not approved (i.e. I inherited some section 8, and would like to do away with them through attrition).  She begs and pleads, but I tell her "no."  Another woman calls the next day, claiming to be "Joan's" daughter, whose name also happens to be "Joan."  She lives out of state and is looking to relocate back to the area.  Her mother recommended she call me because my unit sounded nice.  She is sending her husband (who lives locally) and her mother (the section 8 caller) to inspect the apartment.

Being the perpetual cynic, my antennae are up for a bait-and-switch with the younger couple qualifying for the apartment, but then the mom moves in.

Another part of the plot: that property (but not that unit) has a section 8 tenant, so the housing authority has me and the property in their system.  I am just trying to avoid getting stuck with a situation where I am duped into allowing a section 8 tenant move in.

I will go through the necessary due diligence for background checks, but that won't prevent the aforementioned situation.  As they say, "possession is 9/10th of the law."  or, more appropriately 9/10th of the cost.

It could be a total coincidence and I am just freaking myself out.  Any advice/tips/tricks to avoid a switcheroo?

So, here's the update:  I sent them a notice via email and text asking them to take it down within 10 days (Aug 18th).  (I was away on vacation, so did not make a stop in person.)  They did, but were clearly not happy.

I stopped over yesterday (they were away on vacation for several days as well, apparently) just to "clear the air" and explain why it needed to be taken down.

Ironically, I got a call after leaving the property from another landlord checking their references, so it looks like they are moving over this issue - even though they haven't given notice yet, and didn't mention it during my visit.  I didn't mention the pool issue to the new landlord, as they didn't ask anything other than whether they paid rent on time.

@Kenneth B.

Sure thing!  Never a dull moment...

I sent a letter to them yesterday, giving them a week to take it down.  Not unexpectedly, they were not happy and are "looking for new places."  I checked with the municipality, and it's definitely a code violation.  My insurance almost certainly has an exclusion for the pool, and I cringe when I think about the impending water bill.  They filled 3 pools this season.

@Account Closed

 They are good tenants otherwise, yes.  They are a MTM lease, so I will just add an amendment over the winter so there is no question.

Thanks everyone for your continued feedback!  Someone once told me that your lease agreement will be continually updated as tenants find loopholes.  Guess this is one I missed.

P.S.  I saw the box the pool came in today; it measures 30" deep and 12 feet across.  Good grief!