All Forum Posts by: Sean Connolly

I am 2 weeks away from buying my first rental unit. I am planning on raising rent on one of the tenants ( currently receiving family discount). My attorney has looked over the lease, and it does clearly state that I can change lease agreement with 30 days notice.

My question: How do other landlords go about raising rent? Example: Face-to-face, Mail. Hand-delivered notice) Keep in mind I am living in the next house over. Thanks in advance.

Hello everyone.

Just a quick update. After reading further into the lease agreement, it states "Changes to the lease or termination of this lease shall require 30 days notice from the landlord or tenant."

What is everyones take on that? Does that give me a steady ground or am I in a gray zone to raise rent before lease is up?

Home Inspection complete. Termite damage found in crawl space under one of the buildings, along with mold. Still planning on moving forward. Going to try to, at least, get him to cover the inspect treatment.

The seller is an old "swamp yankee" who has absolutely no ambition to sell, so negotiating is very hard. After conversing about the new lease, I decided it would be better to swallow my pride for a year with low rent. Seller did state that the tenant (his son) has been using the detached garage (which is not in his lease agreement). My plan is to tell him I need the garage for myself, or he can pay another $125 a month for it.

P&S signed. I have not closed ( May 27th ) I read over my copy of the P&S, compared to the one I just received. There was a change made after I signed, removing the "free of all occupants and tenants" part.

I did locate a copy of the MLS which stated there was only one lease signed. So I do have proof.

However, I do not want to lose the contract over the $2100 difference in potential rent. If I could somehow bind them to the contract and have the lease removed, or changed to a reasonable price, I would be happy. My home inspection is tomorrow morning and I will be speaking to the Sellers, and their agent ( who has a bad reputation). Will keep you all posted.

@Andy B. I was only "told" that the lease was month to month. I signed P&S a few days ago and they finally signed yesterday. They then sent the lease agreements today. The lease states they signed it April 1st, 2014. I believe that is false but its on paper and them telling me it was month to month was just verbal...

Thanks @Michael C.

Any massachusetts landlords, lawyers have any input? Or anyone running into this before? I feel like this was a very sleezy way to get their son an extremely low rent for a year.

Hey BP,

Currently under contract for a 3 family. When being shown the property, I was told one tenant had a 6month lease for 750. The other (Sellers son) was on a month to month lease for 550, family discount I assume. I was just given the paperwork that the sellers son signed a 12month lease at 575. I was planning on raising his rent to 750 because that is what its worth. Am I in any way bound to their lease agreement? Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the advice everyone

I don't believe so. I don't think you are allowed to be a co-signer and not occupy the property with an FHA. Therefore, you can't be owner occupying two properties. You could try refinancing the original property.

Welcome @Lynn Migliori ! Used to live in Fall River myself! Great site to be on. I'm new as well and have learned so much here. Good luck!