All Forum Posts by: Nick Taskani

It is true that

@Mindy Jensen, thanks for your comments.  I will make sure to take care of security deposit.  

So she chose option 1 in my letter, i.e. she said she will vacate by May 31.  Which is great for me also.  Will see what condition she leaves the place in.  I'm worried about the state of the unit and how much damage she can do in the next few days.  

I appreciate everyone's input.  My initial plan was to give her a warning, but obviously that would never have resolved this issue.   I'm glad I asked for advice here.

 Thanks.  But in many cases, you take their word for it, correct?  Unless they have a cig hanging out their mouth or just stink like smoke, you would not know if they were smokers if they tell you they are not.  

I've known professionals who are very sharply dressed and you would never think they smoke.  Heck look at our president, Obama is a chain smoker.   Can we evict him from the White house?  

Kidding aside, so I sent my tenant the message above, and she responds by complaining about me not giving her 24 hour notice.  I emailed her at 9:50 pm last night (friday evening) that I would be by to look at the windows at 1:30 pm on saturday (that's when the window guy could come).   Her lease says that unless an emergency, I give her 24 hour notice, IF POSSIBLE.  

So do I have a case here?  Technically I didn't give her 24 hour notice to enter.   Can I still evict her for smoking ?  I should have taken photos of the cigarett butts in ashtray.  But other than that, how do you prove that someone was smoking, in court?   You can't record or take photos of stinky unit to show the judge.   

Thanks!

Thank you all for the comments.  I was going to email her this, please let me know your thoughts:

Dear ___,

I was in your apartment today for the maintenance problems that we had discussed, and noted clear evidence of smoking:  ashtrays with cigarette butts and unit smelled like smoke.  

As you know you have a strict no-smoking policy in your lease. I have attached the lease addendum that you signed back in October. I don't know why you would blatantly disregard these lease rules.

At this point, you have 2 options: 

1. you voluntarily move out by May 31. This will avoid filing eviction, which is in YOUR best interest because an eviction would go on your permanent record making it very difficult for you to rent other homes. I would strongly suggest you take this route.

2. If you don't do #1, then we have to file eviction. This will go on your permanent record.

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but these are the rules, and the no-smoking policy could not be more clearly spelled out in your lease agreement that you signed.  We have no tolerance for smoking -- it damages the unit, it is very difficult to get the smell out, and it is a fire hazard.

Let me know if you have any questions,

I bought a 4 unit complex a few months ago, the previous owner had a strict non-smoking policy that was signed by each tenant.  It basically states that smoking constitutes a breach of the lease and grounds for immediate termination of the lease.   I went in today to take some measurements of the windows and sure enough the unit smelled like a chimney.  I saw cigarette butts/ashtrays everywhere.   

Now she is otherwise a good tenant.  Should I give her a warning?  Anyone have experience with this?  If I give her a warning, and if she says she will abide by the rules, do I make unannounced visits and check on her?   

Or should I evict her now?  Seems harsh but I don't want my unit to stink like smoke, hard to get that stuff out.  

Thanks  for any advice.  

What are rents like in Brewerytown?  Specifically what crowd is renting there (young professionals?) and for a nicely rehabbed or new construction 3 bed/2 bath, what kind of rents can one expect?   

Thanks. 

You are welcome, Jered!

This is an absurd argument.   You pick your own major, the university does not.  If you choose to major in Bulgarian literature, or, ahem...violin, then guess what?  You likely won't have a job after you graduate.  But if you choose your major wisely, and supplement it with good electives that can enrich your education, then college can not only make you successful financially but also make you a more well-rounded educated person.    My best years were in college, I enjoyed my classes, and I picked a major that has made me good money (even though it's a lot of work and I can't wait to stop doing it...which is why I'm getting into real estate!).   Most employers these days look for a college education.  To compare college education in any way shape or form to "Trump University" is almost as absurd as imagining this Trump sleaze ball running our country.  

Donald Trump is like an infected pimple on one's ***.  A sleaze ball.  These guys (Kiyosaki is also on same boat but not as sleazy) prey on the less intelligent.  Trump is a classic narcissist.   In fact a psychologist suggested that he has such a classic case of narcissistic personality disorder that he may use him as a teaching example in his courses.  

Question for the experienced investors out there:

I found a multifamily, for sale by owner, and I have negotiated directly with the owner.  Via texting, we have agreed to a purchase price.  Since neither one of us has an agent, the seller is going to have his attorney draft a contract.   Anyone have experience doing this?   Any pitfalls I should look out for?   

thanks