All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

LOL, never.  Some tenants need to learn how to prioritize their money, but you can rest assured that they do know who they have to pay first.  If they know they will lose their housing if they don't pay you first, usually they will pay you first.  Then go get their $500 tattoo.  

I inherited tenants who got away with murder, who started out showing me their expensive new tattoo or that they were going on vacation - and that's why they couldn't pay their rent on time this month.  The previous manager (one of the previous owners) let them get away with this.  I very nicely, but firmly, explained that I was hired to collect the rents on time and would really, really hate to have to evict them.  

Most started paying on time every month.  I did have to evict one who just couldn't help getting more new tattoos instead of paying rent.  She couldn't believe I really meant it.

You can do it nicely.  But, no need to go into a huge explanation.  They're just listening for a definite "no," and if they don't hear that, they will keep pushing the boundaries.  So, nicely but firmly say - no.

 Are you really saying that you advise buyers to just buy an investment property and then find out what their costs would be - after the fact?  This is the kind of thing agents were telling people just before the crash in 2008.  When buyers were saying, I can't really afford to buy a $500,000 house, even though the bank says I qualify, and the agents were saying, "Are you careless with your money?"  

No, they were asking valid questions, and getting the runaround.  Kinda like here.  Makes no sense for a utility district to have mysterious charges that aren't revealed until you have already purchased a property.  Other utility districts in other cities disclose this info in a very easy to understand format online.

I think it's really interesting that there aren't any Fresno agents or property owners on BP who actually own property and pay utility bills in Fresno and can explain what the costs are.

 Thanks for responding.  So, you're talking about a rental that you own in Fresno?  Your profile has no information.  Could you break that down, please, by how much for each utility?  And you honestly have your tenants pay for water, sewer and garbage?  And put all of these utilities in their name?

I'd love to hear from others who actually live in Fresno, too.  Thanks.

 I would "spin" the closure of one of the pools, saying that you are creating a quieter apartments area and will be creating a garden area or patio area, etc.  Many tenants hate living next to noisy pools.  But, I would be concerned about just closing off the pool area and not having the pool filled.  If you drain it, you may end up with all of the local skateboarders jumping the fence and you end up with a separate liability issue, let alone damage.

By the way, you didn't mention the cost of insurance for having the pools.  I'm going to assume your insurance is higher for having each pool.

If you don't want tenants and their friends or locals gathering in a new park area, then just plant a bunch of cacti in there, close together, so nobody will want to hang out there.  If you want to turn it into an amenity, you could add picnic benches and barbecue grills.

It would be helpful if someone who lives in a SFH in Fresno would share how much their monthly utility costs are.

 Oddly, the good tenants never treat you like a pariah for not socializing.  They don't normally expect to socialize with the other tenants in an apartment building.  Like living in any apartment building, even like I do now in a senior apartment building, you have to watch out for the friendly ones.  They're the ones who will want to borrow things from you, want rides places, want you to watch their dog, etc.  

So, I really wouldn't worry about it.  What you could do when you interview prospective applicants is tell them that you aren't the kind of landlord who will bother them, and you appreciate not being bothered with anything other than landlord-tenant issues from your tenants, so everyone can live their own lives without things being awkward.  The ones you want to rent to will be the type to sigh a huge sigh of relieve that their landlord will not be all up in their business.  They make for good tenants and neighbors.

Having a default answer until you get comfortable with setting the boundaries, is to just always answer with "Let me think about it."  Then, eventually, you will learn to say no right away, in whatever words you find most comfortable- "Oh, I'm sorry, but that's not something my lawyer suggests I allow," for instance.  It is helpful if you can blame it on someone else, if you find that more comfortable than just saying a straight out no.

But, it's also really true that at the same time, you can be really friendly.  I was very friendly.  And I would really nicely say no.  I'd say, oh, I completely understand why you want to be able to park in two parking spaces, or want a pet rabbit, or want a washer/dryer in your unit, or want the owner to pay for your blackout curtains...but, you know I can't say yes because the lease says no and if I let you do it, I have to let everyone else do it, and so as much as I understand why you want what you want, I'm just so sorry, but I have to say no.  I'll completely understand if you feel you have to move out and if that's what you choose to do, I'll be happy to work with you on your move-out date...(if it gets that far).  Yay for month to month rentals.

 This is brilliant.

I think you should talk to a lawyer.

I'd give them written notice (which can be done with text or email, but I'd also send a hard copy with proof of delivery to whatever address you have for them) that because they have breached your written agreement by not paying you as agreed, the lease agreement is void.  That way, if they break in, they are obviously trespassers and not tenants.

Google your state and lease termination notice.