All Forum Posts by: Lucas Pfaff

To add to @Wayne Brooks comment...reselling MLS properties will be difficult. If you are simply referring buyers to the agent you are working with (as opposed to putting them under contract yourself and wholeselling to the end buyer) it should not be much of an issue.

Seems fair to me. There are no set referral fees, but be that as it may...what I would consider standard referral fees (in Philadelphia) between agents are between 20-30%. Being a non-agent, if you receive a 30% referral fee you are getting a very fair cut (particularly for not having a license and paying the associated fees). 

Note: I would be very careful with the language you use when discussing these opportunities with potential buyers. Although I am uncertain of the specific language applicable to this situation, there are certain things that non-licensed sales people are allowed/not allowed to do for licensed agents. My assumption is that any legal liability would rest on the agent you are working with, but once again, I am not certain as it is not something I have personally had to deal with.

@Val Csontos Thanks for the input. I like the method that you are using. Coupling intermittent inspections with this policy seems like it may be more effective. At this point we have had leases signed and executed without the repair clause. We may reevaluate in the future.

Thank you @Andresa Guidelli for sharing the information about the seminar.

@Benjamin Timmins  @Steve B.

Thanks for your input. I'll need to look into this a bit further.

@Dawn Anastasi 

"Something breaks, and it's a $50 repair. But the tenant doesn't want to pay for it, so they don't report it. 2 years go by and the tenant leaves. Now it's a $300 repair."

This is exactly the fear that I have. 

Does anyone use a similar clause? I would really like to hear from someone who has had success (assuming that person exists).

Hi all,

I've been advised to add a clause in my lease stipulating that tenants pay for a portion of repairs. The idea being that such a clause will prevent them from calling in repair people without thought. Historically, I have never had a tenant call a repair person. If there is an issue tenants either submit a maintenance request via our website or call me.

Either way, it seems that we are going to add this clause (unless I hear a convincing reason for not doing so).

As such, I'm looking for a lease clause to have tenants pay the first $x of any repair to appliances etc. excluding major mechanical systems and roof (which are my responsibility.)

Does anyone have a similar clause they wouldn't mind sharing?

I'm also interested in any input from people who have used such a clause and the positive/negative impact.

Thanks.

Hi all,

I've been advised to add a clause in my lease stipulating that tenants pay for a portion of repairs. The idea being that such a clause will prevent them from calling in repair people without thought. Historically, I have never had a tenant call a repair person. If there is an issue tenants either submit a maintenance request via our website or call me. 

Either way, it seems that we are going to add this clause (unless I hear a convincing reason for not doing so).

As such, I'm looking for a lease clause to have tenants pay the first $x of any repair to appliances etc. excluding major mechanical systems and roof (which are my responsibility.)

Does anyone have a similar clause they wouldn't mind sharing?

I'm also interested in any input from people who have used such a clause and the positive/negative impact.

Thanks.

@Sam Ray I am not familiar with Crescentville but in Philadelphia a zoning variance requires a meeting with the local community organization prior to meeting with the ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals). If the property is held under your name I believe this process can be done by the individual him/herself but I wouldn't recommend it.

If the property is held under an LLC or other corporate entity you are required to be represented by council. I believe council must be an attorney but you may be able to have an architect or other representative. I am currently trying to get an official answer on this detail but have not had much luck.

Thanks @Pat S.

I agree that looks like a good start.

Thanks for the quick response @Wayne Brooks .

The zoning issue is a slam dunk. Per my architect, I am legally required to be represented by an attorney at the meeting since the property is held by an LLC. If this were not necessary I would not include an attorney in the process.