All Forum Posts by: Nicholas Cook

@Dylan B. It depends on your market, however I would supply them for two reasons.

1. The properties are more appealing. Most residents don't haul around appliances.

2. Installing and removing appliances (especially) by a tenant is asking for damage to the property or someone getting injured.

It's not work it.

@Peter Tverdov, If the fee is based on a percentage of rent it should be prorated, if it is flat, you should pay the full amount. 

@Steve Rozenberg, yes. If the owner is a liability, interferes with management or is verbally abusive. 

@Sarah B., If you have good cosigner criteria, I don't think it is a major risk to allow cosigners. You can also increase the security deposit depending on your screening criteria.

Also, it usually takes 2 weeks of market time to determine if the lack of interest really is price related. If you have two bad weeks, price is the problem.

@Ryan Cash, if the residents are on a month to month tenancy is no language in your HUD contract that prohibits you terminating the tenancy without cause, then you should be able to simply deliver an "End of Tenancy" notice. You can obtain these notices through trade groups like Multifamily NW in Oregon or Rental Housing Association. When you issue an end of tenancy notice without stated cause you do not need to provide a reason.

This is my understanding. I cannot give legal advice. Please consult an attorney if you are unsure.

I hope this helps!

@Dror Shmaya, another company called Planet Synergy also offers VA services for PM companies.

@Steve Rozenberg

Yes, they should be licensed, bonded and insured without a doubt.

@Jacob Lewis Your Property Manager and you have a Property Management Agreement (PMA). The agreement outlines who is responsible for what.

In most cases if a tenant owes money above the deposit a property manager will not go to collections or small claims for you unless they are compensated.

While this happened on their "watch", they are an agent for you. They cannot control if the tenant pays late or how the tenant treats the property. They can hold the tenant accountable by sending violation notices, documenting damage and assessing charges. As the property owner you get the benefit of the upside, but also the downside.

Since you are selling the property it is really more appropriate that you pursue the balance owed as the owner of the property.  Once your PMA terminates, the Property Manager can longer represent you. 

@Ray Harrell We regularly check landlord references. I believe most people are honest and won't attempt to mislead. Also, landlords tend to know the language and you can tell when you speak to someone who has never rented a place before.

@Kevin W. I would. I am not an attorney, but a business is an independent legal entity. If you don't have your name on the lease you may not have standing to bring action.