All Forum Posts by: Sandy G.

How delinquent are they?  Has the time already tolled for the automated notices deadlines?  I agree, one more phone call, text, etc. is not going to prompt their payment.  Sounds like the classic living out their deposit scenario in which they will deplete everything and leave you with nothing to cover repairs, clean up and other turnover costs.  I just went through this and it sucks trust me.  Had to pay $1800 in attorneys fees and costs, lost rent due to turnover, clean up and repair costs.  And just to add to the fun, tenants smoked pot inside and it stinks!  Still looking for replacement tenants.  The sooner you act the better.  If the time has tolled, have the PM start eviction proceedings.  That is the ONLY way they will know you are serious.  Best of luck to you!  

Quote from @Matthew Paul:

And after you would lower the rent , whats stopping the same people moving back in ?

 Good point!

NO, don't lower the rent!  Since they no longer need so many rooms and cannot afford it, they should look for a place that better suits their needs.  Find more qualified tenants and raise the rent to market or just below.  We are not in the business of subsidizing tenant's rent.  Over time, you will be losing out on revenue and just prolonging the inevitable move out when they can no longer pay the rent.  Remember this is a business nothing personal.  Good luck to you!  

Good evening all.  So they say if you listen, people will tell you who they really are.  Well, how about if a prospective tenant shows up wearing sunglasses at night and a cap with a big marijuana leaf printed on the front and all over the sides?  Think he could be telling me something??  I've already been down that road with pot smokers.  Last tenants claimed they "did not smoke anything at all" but when we posted their 3-day notice, the pot smell was lurking out from under the front door.  Upon return of the property, it was clear they had been heavily smoking pot inside.  We had been inside the property several months before to meet with them and did not detect it then - they were burning incense (should have been a clue).  I think they smoked inside since they had nothing to loose at that point (stopped paying rent).  It's a shame since they have 2 young children.  Would have never guessed people would smoke pot in the house with kids there, especially with one that has asthma and allergies.  Guess I was wrong.  

Anyhow, gut feeling tells me this is a preview of the future.  Also, told me money is not an issue but in the same breath asked if they could give less than 3 month's rent to move in (I had already explained the requirements).  Another red flag.  Sadly, this is becoming  all too familiar...  Next...

Quote from @Katarina Takahashi:

This is my first time as a landlord screening applicants.

I had an applicant on Zillow for a property with an income less than the rent amount. I confirmed with them their income amount. After they confirmed they make less than the rent, I denied the application on those grounds.

After that, they messaged me that they have a housing voucher which was not included in the application as a source of income and that the housing voucher would make their income reach the minimum requirements.

What do I do now? Tell them to re-apply, since their application has already been denied? I don't want to discriminate and I know it's important to be fair and take into account all income sources such as housing vouchers. 

Thank you in advance for any advice. 

You could allow them to reapply; however, I would be concerned how the long the vouchers are available to the tenant.  If they are only for a given amount of time, then their income would drop back down below your requirements.  

Quote from @Nathan Gesner:

Quote from @Sandy G.:

The real funny part is that there are other Landlords that will accept it.

Oh Lordy that’s scary! In time, they’ll learn.

Quote from @Ray Hage:

That is hilarious! Hey were broke basically but why not lie to your prospective landlord, I guess? Haha...While no one has ever asked me to discount rents because of furniture, they do ask for a big decrease in rent sometimes. Apt is listed at 1400...they show up and ask if you will take 1100, etc. 

I know I hate when that happens, argh so frustrating!  They also show up and try to haggle the amount to move in when I already clearly stated on the phone how much it is …. 3 months rent.  They’ll say we only have 2.  Already learned that lesson.  Installment plans don’t work.  If they don’t have the full amount today, they NEVER will.  

Hello there!  Thought you all might get a chuckle out of this one.  Had some prospective tenants check out one of our rentals today.  I had asked them multiple screening questions prior to the showing and then toward the end of the showing and out of nowhere they asked if they could receive a discount on the first month's rent so that they could buy new furniture... living room, dining room and bedroom sets.  What???  They supposedly have been living somewhere for 1 year and produced a letter from their landlord singing their praises of what great tenants they are  (which we all know anyone could have written).  I couldn't help myself so I asked "don't you have furniture now in the place you are currently renting?"  They said they do but they need bigger furniture since our rental is bigger...  I guess when you start to think you've heard all the reasons one could ask for discounted rent, you find out clearly you have not.  Turns out their total monthly income is too low ($600 shy of 2 month's rent -- we require it to be at least 3 months).  I love how they leave that part out when you are screening them over the phone.  Next...  

Hi.  I just looked at the pictures of the windows again.  It appears they are the type that have 2 latches that are attached (or were attached in this case) in the areas that were broken off and now missing.  So you’re not able to lock them now, yes?  if that’s the case, I would suggest contacting a window company to see how to remedy this.  

Hi there.  I agree with Henry that floor is in bad shape.  We purchased a house that unfortunately had that type of floor.  It was low quality and installed by the house flipper that sold it to us.  I had to do a double take as the hallway looked very similar to ours!  Tenants easily destroy that type of flooring in no time! It’s a hassle to replace only certain boards as they interlock and you have to remove the baseboards and take out several slats to do so.
As for the windows, it looks like the Incredible Hulk opened them and didn’t know his own strength!  Other than replacing the window which I know you don’t want to, you need to find a way to add a strip of something to cover it as it could be sharp and possibly cause injury.  Maybe some type of trim or thin molding cut the full length glued on top with a strong epoxy like JB Weld.  Check out Home Depot or Lowe’s for the trim and JB Weld.  I’m honestly not sure that will hold up for long with wear and tear by tenants.  Alternatively, reach out to a window installation company to ask for suggestions.