All Forum Posts by: Peter Crabtree

Jake Thompson, Jon Holdman, John Anderson Thank you so much for the input. I am not familiar with money orders, but from what I had read they are non-refundable. I guess I should have researched a little further. Setting up electronic rent payment has been on my to do list for awhile now. I guess I need to move it up the list. Jake Thompson, thanks for the article link. I am still learning and fine tuning as a continue to scale. I can't tell you how much I appreciate advice from experienced folk like ya'll.

Hi BP, I need a little guidance. I have my tenants mail their rent to a PO box. My rule is that as long as it is post marked by the 5th it isn't charged a late fee. I have a tenant who has lived in one of my units for 4 months now and has always been prompt on his payments. He pays via money orders (I assume he doesn't want or have a checking account). I have not yet received his rent for September. He said he mailed it on the 1st and has a receipt for the money order. Obviously if it got lost in the mail, that money is gone. My question is this: how do I handle the situation in a way that is fair, but also guides him toward a more responsible way of paying rent. I am trying to run a business, but I never want to put my profits above ethics. It would hurt for me to just eat the loss but I know it would be much more devastating for him to have to come up with another month's rent. Also, if it went as far as eviction, he can prove that he purchased the money order (which can then be made out to anyone) but I cannot prove that I didn't get and cash it. Sorry this is so long-winded. Thanks in advance for any wisdom you guys have to offer. -Peter

@Nathan Gesner I agree I need to immediately set a precedent. That it my game plan at this point. 

Thank you both for your input.

Good evening BP! A couple of quick questions if I may...

I have bought an off-market duplex with inherited tenants. Basically a turn-key property. Here are my question...

1) When I went to introduce myself to the tenants, one of them was non-apologetically smoking inside. When I asked him if the previous property manager had told him smoking was not allowed inside, he repeatedly mentioned that smoking inside was not prohibited in his lease. As it turns out, he is right. The lease he signed does not say anything about smoking (freaking crazy. It prohibits "live" christmas trees buy does not address smoking!!!) I told him that I do not allow smoking inside in any of my properties, and asked to do it outside from now on. So, do I have any ground to stand on since he did not sign my lease? I don't want to kick them out if I can help it, but he is 2 months into a 12 month lease and I really don't want him smoking in my property for the next 10 months if I can prevent it.

2) The other side has an RV parked on the street outside. I have not pushed the issue yet as I just closed on two days ago and it has only been there a couple of days, but "word on the street" is that there is a guy and a pitbull living in it. I assume it is a relative of the tenants, but it is an eyesore as I would consider this a B class property and I want nothing to do with a possible vagrant and a pitbull.

My questions: Since they did not sign my lease, what recourse do I have?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom you guys have for this newbie!

Thanks @Marcia Maynard. I appreciate the "heads up"!

Good evening BP! A couple of quick questions if I may,

   I have bought an off-market duplex with inherited tenants. Basically a turn-key property. Here are my question...

1) When I went to introduce myself to the tenants, one of them was non-apologetically smoking inside. When I asked him if the previous property manager had told him smoking was not allowed inside, he repeatedly mentioned that smoking inside was not prohibited in his lease. As it turns out, he is right. The lease he signed does not say anything about smoking (freaking crazy. It prohibits "live" christmas trees buy does not address smoking!!!) I told him that I do not allow smoking inside in any of my properties, and asked to do it outside from now on. So, do I have any ground to stand on since he did not sign my lease? I don't want to kick them out if I can help it, but he is 2 months into a 12 month lease and I really don't want him smoking in my property for the next 10 months if I can prevent it.

2) The other side has an RV parked on the street outside. I have not pushed the issue yet as I just closed on two days ago and it has only been there a couple of days, but "word on the street" is that there is a guy and a pitbull living in it. I assume it is a relative of the tenants, but it is an eyesore as I would consider this a B class property and I want nothing to do with a possible vagrant and a pitbull. 

My questions: Since they did not sign my lease, what recourse do I have?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom you guys have for this newbie!

@Paul Vincent It is currently occupied and seems to be well maintained.

Hey BP,

    Quick question. When going for a property at a sheriff's sale (tax sale), what due diligence should I do and what pitfalls should I be aware of? I would especially like to hear from my fellow Tennessee BP folk. Do rules and laws vary from county to county, or are they pretty consistent throughout the state. Thanks a ton!

Welcome to BP @Emily Golec

@Chris Eaker I don't know if you got my message, but I would like the info for your contact. Thanks to everyone for the info. I appreciate it!