All Forum Posts by: Rennie K.

I should clarify, that the next door owner-neighbor actually owns the other half of the duplex and I own the one-half of this duplex.  She is the one who is harassing my tenant next door.  My tenant is fine -- no issues with my tenant.

Thanks

Situation: I own a half duplex in a neighborhood which is a mix of rental single family homes and owner-occupied homes. My next door owner-neighbor is very picky and she keeps complaining to the city about tenants next door (in my rental unit). She will make-up things and complain to the city about things that are untrue and no violations of city code. The city people come and check it out and they find nothing wrong and talk to the tenants and leave.

This has happened couple times. My tenants do not like this – they are hard working people who want to be left alone and not harassed or inconvenienced.

What could be the motivation of the owner-neighbor? I think she does not want the next door place to be a rental. She would rather have an owner live next door. Its possible she or her relative wants to buy the next door place (my rental). Her real-estate agent relative has approached me to sell the place but I don’t want to.

What are my options? Should I write a letter to the city with copy to her to stop harassing my tenants? What are my legal options?

Thanks again all.
I will be talking to an attorney - I think this guy had pre-planned all the moves. Lessons learned:
1. Have the lease signed before handing over the keys - no need for a notary signature.
2. Have them switch the utilities before/or at the time they move in.

I will keep you updated.
Rennie

Thanks for all the responses.
I was not aware that email is not admissable in court. Is that so even when we have communicated via the same email during the application process?
I do plan on sending him this communication through mail but
even if I send him a certified mail, he can choose not to accept it or receive it. If he is not responding to email where is the guarantee he will receive or accept the mail.
Regarding shutting off utilities, the person with the local elect. company told me that landlords do that all the time. I do need to confirm if from somewhere else. Water is probably the only utility I could shut off given the cold weather in Kansas.
With the hilidays, everything is closed so I have to wait till tomorrow.

Thanks again
Rennie

Hello everyone,
Here is an update to the situation. I was informed by this tenant that he has been offered an out of state job that he will be accepting. So he verbally communicated to me that I can show the unit to other prospective tenants. I sent him an email confirming our conversation we had along with a (signed by me) month-to-month lease for his signatures.
It started to sound fishy so I called the electric company and he hasn't even transfered the elect. utility to his name - its been over a week since he moved in.
My question:

Can I have the utilities shut-off since he has not transfered them to his name?

Is this grounds enough to start the eviction process? Should I give him a 30 day move out notice already?

Thanks
Rennie

Once again, thank you all for the valuable input. This has been very helpful. I will keep you all posted on what goes on with this tenant.
Thanks
Rennie

Thank you all for the input. Here is my response and some more questions.
1. The reason I was requiring the lease notarized is becuase long time ago I had to get it notarized myself when I had leased an apt. I thought the notary basically verifies that it is really the person who has signed the lease.
2. So if it is assumed a verbal agreement which amounts to a month-to-month lease, then if I send him a letter saying that unless he signs the lease, he has 30 days to vacate the unit and then in 30 days I start the eviction process if he hasn't signed the lease? Would that be reasonable?
3. Till then should I get some additional insurance coverage for that unit or that whole 4-plex building? The other 3 units of that bld. are occupied and I have properly signed and notarized leases.
4. What should this additional coverage include? I already have a home insurance on this building.

Thanks

I am fairly new to this site and have a basic question. Recently, I rented a unit to a person who has paid the deposit (one months rent) in cash along with pro-rated rent for the part month (that he moved in). Since it was a Sunday when the tenant moved in, we couldn't sign the lease - banks are closed and I require the lease to be notarized. I gave my tenant the copy of a lease and asked him to sign it and get it notarized and then I can sign it and get it notarize from my bank and provide him a copy of it.
Its been a week and it appears he is giving me a run-around and avoiding to sign the lease. We have exchanged several text messages and he not making himself available to return the lease.

My Question:
1. If I email him a copy of the lease and ask him to sign it and give him 2 weeks to return it. Then if he fails to do so, can that lease become binding even though he has not signed it?
2. What are the repercussions of not having a lease?

Thanks.
Shaw

Thank you all for the valueable input. Much appreciated!
I think I'll drop the idea about a loan to the LLC.

Look forward to more help in future.

Thanks to Jon, Pat, and Ned.

Yes, mine is a two member LLC - me and my son. We both have full time jobs and this is a new venture just started on the side.
So if I understood it right, in case of a multi-member LLC it would make sense to do a loan to the LLC?
So the interest paid by LLC will be income for me (51% partner) on my personal return and the benefit on remainder 49% would be the advantage so to say?
Thanks!