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All Forum Posts by: Shaun C.

Shaun C. has started 6 posts and replied 256 times.

Originally posted by @Jason D.:
@Shaun C. did he tell you what code you were violating? In order to make a call like that, an inspector must be able to refer to a code that was violated.

He didn't refer to anything being done wrong he just said that they don't do inspections unless coax is in. I asked him if he could continue to do the inspection, knowing I wouldn't pass but that he was going to come back anyways but apparently making it to happy hour was more important. He ended up being a lot cooler the next time he came and we passed but I was pretty dumbfounded that he wouldn't even continue the inspection and marking up anything else he thought was wrong just to save time later. He has a reputation around town of being a dick.

Post: Suggestion about how to hand a Tenant Issue

Shaun C.Posted
  • Royal Oak, MI
  • Posts 257
  • Votes 230

I would recommend putting a clause in your lease that the tenant is liable for damages that arise out of negligence. I go over my entire lease when we sign, and I let people know that I WANT to know about anything that might be an issue. Tenants aren't handymen, or home owners, they don't know what is a big deal and what isn't. If it isn't something important, great. I wasted 2 minutes on the phone. But if it is, maybe I just saved myself a couple grand by being proactive. My places are all pretty updated though so I don't really get many calls. Just yesterday I was informed by one of my tenants that she noticed a pool of water near my furnace--the condensate pump stopped working. Great! Now I get to fix it before it rusts out the inside.

To everyone saying that cable/coax isn't electrical; could you please call the Plymouth, Michigan building department and let the head electrical inspector know that? He came to the house I was flipping to do the rough electrical inspection and the first thing he asked was 'Is your coax ran?', I said no, and he said 'Then this inspection is over'. Didn't even walk through the rest of the house to look at everything else. Maybe not the same in your neck of the woods but as far as my municipality is concerned, they are one in the same, and it is low voltage. 

I would guess that a signal booster or connection went bad and just needs to be replaced, I'm not sure why the cable technician didn't trouble shoot while he was there since that's what they always do in my area?

Originally posted by @Seth B.:

Hi All! Thanks for all the responses I really appreciate it! One detail I left out that I should have put in is that the cable company was over at their place yesterday, and they recommended that we reach out to an electrician. I believe there is no signal coming from that connection anymore. Does that change anything?

You're saying that the cable company was out there, and after they arrived the outlet no longer works? Or it didn't work previous to them being there as well?

Post: Repair Expense Due to Tenant Misuse

Shaun C.Posted
  • Royal Oak, MI
  • Posts 257
  • Votes 230

If the tenant damages something and lets me know, or I see it during an inspection; it's getting repaired and billed now. Otherwise you're holding less of a security deposit come lease termination.

Post: I Need Help Peacefully Evicting My Brother

Shaun C.Posted
  • Royal Oak, MI
  • Posts 257
  • Votes 230

This is treading on intervention territory. Your parents, as well as you and your husband (while trying to be accommodating) have let this problem become what it is. If someone has never had real responsibilities, why would they want to go and get some? I would have a family discussion with everyone present and just explain everything like you just did to us. It probably will not go nicely, but a few months of earning your own way and not talking to your family will hopefully make him appreciate what you guys did do for him, and eventually he will come back around and be respectful. Or not, and while that sucks, sometimes it's just how it works out. You've got your own family to worry about now.

Why do you have a signed lease agreement without approval from the HOA already? Mistake #1.

Post: Do you do annual Inpsections?

Shaun C.Posted
  • Royal Oak, MI
  • Posts 257
  • Votes 230

I can't imagine going more than 3-6 months without seeing something of mine worth over $100k. I do quarterly inspections to check for leaks and other problems as well as changing the furnace filter. Too many posts on here about not checking on their property for over a year, and then they are sacked with $10k+ in repairs.

Post: Ideas for Automatic Rent collection

Shaun C.Posted
  • Royal Oak, MI
  • Posts 257
  • Votes 230
Originally posted by @Ned J.:

@Shaun C.....writing and dropping a check in the mail only takes a couple of minutes too, but people seem to have issues doing that :)

Zelle and Venmo don't send reminders, accept partial payments (which is an issue if you ever get into the process of evictions), don't tack on late fees etc. Quick, simple, easy....yes.....really ideal for a landlord?..... no....not because its not easy....its because that form doesn't "protect" the landlord from still having to hassle the tenant to get full payment on time

Cozy is automated....but allows partial payments....doesn't tack on late fees automatically etc....at least it was that way when I looked at it 4 months ago....and the fact that it can take 5-7 days to actually get the $$ is annoying.....unless you want to pay the fee to get it quicker.... decent set up, but I would like some more features.....

I guess I'm lucky, because in 3 years, I've had to charge a late fee 0 times. I don't worry about pestering adults about their responsibilities.  I can see where you like your service, but for straight up ease of use, at least for my demographic; It's Venmo hands down.