All Forum Posts by: Phil Earley

We use a "non refundable rent deposit form" to secure the home for the tenant/applicant once approved.  The non-refundable deposit turns into the security deposit after the move-in inspection and possession takes place.  

Anyone in an active bankruptcy should be an automatic denial.   You should have time limits in place in your screening process from when the bankruptcy was discharged for approval or denial.   The time limits are designed to help insure they have cleaned up their act since the discharge.  

@Robert M. nailed it!

Applicants with a discharged bankruptcy can be great tenants for years to come until they can obtain financing again to purchase.   

We used to use Buildium which worked well but seemed to be geared more to apartments and multifamily with some of its capabilities.  Our business is based on single family so we moved over to Appfolio 3 years ago which was a better fit for us.

Narpm.org may be another good place to start to find and research software.  Lots of companies market to this organization,(National Association Of Residential Property Managers).

I've copied and pasted this section from the Georgia Landlord Tenant Guide below.   The 90 days pertains to returned checks, not lost or uncashed from my understanding.  I agree with everyone above.  She will cash it or even if she loses it after the 180 days, she will ask you to resend.  Minus the cancellation fee of the first check of course:)   

"The security deposit and any statement, which accompanies it, must be mailed to the last known address of the tenant even if that is the vacated rental property. If it is returned as undeliverable and the landlord is unable to locate the tenant after a reasonable effort, the security deposit becomes the property of the landlord ninety (90) days after it was mailed."

A great place to start is at narpm.org.  National Association of Residential Property Managers.

You can use this questionnaire to narrow it down to 2-3 that you think meet your needs.  

Top Questions To Ask Before You Hire A Property Manager

At this point, its a great idea to go visit the offices and meet the staff.  Walking in the front door is the best way to gauge the professionalism of the firm before you hand over the keys to some of your biggest investments.    

Georgia is Landlord friendly.  Most Judges will start the proceeding with,"if you don't pay, you don't stay." Followed up by, "outstanding maintenance items are not grounds for non- payment of rent."   

If a landlord gets in trouble in Georgia, they most likely deserved it.  

There aren't any requirements to use a "middle man" in Georgia.   I've been licensed in Georgia since 1996 and have never seen a lease purchase close using a Georgia Association of Realtors contract(GAR forms) so I would suggest researching forums on Bigger Pockets to help you with the details of how to structure a lease purchase properly.   

You can google Georgia Landlord Tenant Law to find a pdf guide to help you or click on this link which will direct to the guide on our website.  Landlord faq's 

Go Buffalo!  Eichel Rules!

Another good place to start is narpm.org  . The National Association of Residential Property Managers.

Here is a list of questions to help you narrow down your choices.  Once you get to 2 to 3, set up a time to visit their offices and meet the staff.   Walking in the front door is a great way to see if you want to go into business with them or not.   

20 Questions To Ask Before You Hire A Property Manager

I agree with everyone.   A stove not working properly and being replaced within 3 days is a sign of a good landlord and showing great costumer service. 

In Georgia, the rule of thumb is if the timing of a repair is reasonable for a homeowner, it should be reasonable for a tenant.    

Don't be afraid to ask for the business.   Being a secret agent never works.