All Forum Posts by: Ralph Miller

thanks everyone!  Your input into this situation has really been great.  I love this forum!
I did meet with my attorney today.  They do specialize in residential real estate law.  We have a good plan of action set forward.  I don't want to share specifics here but once everything is settled I will update.

Until then, would love to continue to hear people's input on this matter!

Thank you all again!

Mohammed,

I agree.  no discussions about the payments until after I've met with my attorney.  Definitely pushing boundaries.

Jonathan,

Thank you for your insight.  Hopefully it doesn't come to that but wouldn't be surprised that's the trajectory.  Will definitely stay on top of this!

Caleb,

We've actually been communicating alot via text message, which I am happy with because it shows that they did the renovations without permission and my response to them that I'm not paying for the renovations.  

As far as the rehab, I actually don't understand it either. I've rented spaces for many years before buying, and literally never once did I think about spending thousands of dollars to renovate it.  So there's a lot of weird stuff about this situation.

Appreciate you taking the time to respond.

All,

really weird situation here.  I am looking for input/guidance if anyone's dealt with this before.

New tenants moved in about a month ago.  They went ahead and completely renovated the inside of the house.  New paint on walls, new light fixtures, etc.  I never authorized it.  After the fact, they asked me if I liked the renovations, and I did say I did (although my wife doesn't).  It does look clean, modern, etc. 
Here is where it gets weird.

They asked me to lower their rent because of the renovations they did.  I said no.  But I did say I'd be willing to contribute some to their work (big mistake).

Now they're saying that I told them I'd pay for the work directly to their contractor.  Definitely never said that.  and now my tenants are attacking me very personally like saying I'm a liar and that I'm not contributing because I'm too poor and that I'm dishonest to my wife, etc.  It's really weird and really nasty.

The lease is very clear that no alterations can be made in the house without written consent.  Not only was their no written consent, they didn't even get verbal consent.  

I also have all the photos of the house before they moved in.  Anyone can look at it and know the house is in really good condition.  Maybe the touch ups to cover holes on the wall weren't perfect.  But by no means was it a dump.  

I actually hired an attorney and am meeting with him later this week to discuss what's happening because I actually think this is incredibly weird and, to some extend, I feel like I'm being scammed or blackmailed.  Although nothing like that has really taken place (yet), this all puts a super bad taste in my mouth.  
Wondering if anyone else has dealt with such brazen and personal attacks from tenants and how they dealt with it?

Really appreciate all the advice I know will be forthcoming!

Happy to even discuss via private message if some want to go that route.

Hello BP!

I am changing my flooring from carpet to luxury vinyl flooring and it is costing me about $2200.

My question is this: how do you calculate your increased rent?

Do you divide the cost of the new flooring by 12 months and increase the rent that much?

Do you try to recoup your money in 2 years? 3 years? More?

Or do you just keep rent based on what the market allows? I mean, there has to be some level of increase for rent if you upgrade the flooring, right?

Interested to hear everyone’s thoughts!

Hello BP Community!

I am about to change out my flooring from carpet to luxury vinyl for $2200.

My question to the BP community: What is your process for calculating the increased rent?

Do you try to recoup the $2200 over a year?  Over 2 years? 3 years?  Is it based on how much the improvement increases your property value?

I am thinking that I will try to recuperate my new flooring cost over the course of 3 years.  

I am very interested to know everyone's process!

@Kenneth Chen, I have a question regarding your post.  You mentioned that after your new floors and painting your cabinets, your rent went from $1275 to $1550.

How did you calculate that rent increase?  Do you try to recoup your cost for the paint and flooring within a year?  Is it based on the increase in value of your property? 

I am trying to figure out how much my increased rent will be based on the cost of the new flooring.  Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I appreciate all the input.  

I would definitely take a swing at doing it myself.  However, I am currently overseas and am not available.  Once I get back to the States, I do intend to do all these projects on my own.

Glad I brought up this topic!

Thanks everyone for the advice!

I don’t know why I didn’t do this earlier, but I reached out to a few other contractors and explained that I am getting quotes from several contractors.  I literally got a better floating vinyl for $1.3k less.  I told the previous contractor that I will no longer be using them.  
the power of competition!

Thanks again! 

I have an apartment that is 1092ft2 2bd/1ba.

Rent is $600/month. Currently have a tenant until June 2021.

I was planning to take out the carpet and install adhesive vinyl flooring.

The flooring company I usually used quoted me $3500 to install FLOATING vinyl for 460ft2 (everywhere but the bedrooms). She said installing adhesive vinyl would be more expensive due to labor to remove the old carpet and install the adhesive vinyl.

Two questions:

1) Is it worth installing floating vinyl at $3500 in an apartment that rents only for $600?

2) does that makes sense that adhesive vinyl would cost more overall? Or am I being duped?

Thanks for the support and advice! I love BP!