All Forum Posts by: Susan H.

Can't speak from a landlord perspective, but I used to do things like this as a tenant - I upgraded small things like shower heads (because the old ones were terrible)...

I had a tenant replace the shower heads (among other things) because he "liked doing stuff like that to make the house feel like home." Didn't matter that the lease was very specific about alterations, permission, etc. Like the OP's tenant, mine wanted to buy the home and persisted in asking despite firm refusals. They bought a place of their own and tenant decided the "upgrades" were his and tried to remove. The result was damage behind the shower wall. Cost me close to 5K in repairs. 

Sure...if you give credit to our association--this article is one of many on our website.

Liz Keegan of the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan states that “the Fair Housing Act does not place any limits on what may be considered an assistance animal. They also do not have to be trained or otherwise certified.” ....

This is very helpful. May I have your permission to share the content of your post on my blog?

Hello everyone,

My story comes out of North Jersey where it seems that being a landlord is becoming more and more of a nerve-racking stroke-causing endeavor. 

My parents have owned and operated a 3 family house out of Paterson since the 1980's. They never had any major problems with tenants until last August. It all started when a tenant, who we rented the third floor to, brought in two new individuals who we have never seen before. My parents immediately gave him a call and asked him who those two people were. The tenant never really gave us a straight answer. We then sent a notice to quit a few days later.

A week or so later we had several agencies from the city calling us and telling us we had an "illegal rooming" house and several violations we needed to fix asap. The two individuals had built a makeshift wall in the living room and accused us of building it and renting the apartment as a "rooming house" which it was not and never has been. Coincidentally enough it was around this time (i think a week or so earlier) that my mom filed to evict the third floor for non-payment. And then the fun began. 

Thinking it was a routine eviction (we had probably done one every two years for the past decade) we went into court. While there we saw the two individuals and our tenant with a lawyer. (Big red flag. Most of our evictions the tenants would never have lawyers because it woukld always just be about non-payment) The proceedings started and the attorney immediately accused of of renting a "rooming house" which the house inspectors had declared it was on their report. We told the judge it was all lies but wouldnt really hear us out probably since we didnt have an attorney and he had already expressed dissatisfaction with this. He granted SIX MONTHS RELOCATION FEES TO OUR TENANT. In order to have possession of the apartment we had to pay, which we did the same day. Because of the slow court system it took us almost 5 months (from the time we filed the original eviction) to finally have the apartment back. Now a few days later after we took possession the other two individuals are suing us and saying they also rented from us as a "rooming house" and want six months relocation fees as well as any other damages and attorneys fees. 

We've had an attorney on this case for a few months now and he's as dumbfounded as we are. Neither him nor I understand how someone can illegally move into an apartment, build a makeshift wall with a couple of 2x4's and sheetrock and then claim it is an illegal rooming house and have the court believe them. I asked my attorney what constitutes a rooming house? He said that the people rooming have to pay the landlord separately. These individuals never paid us a dime. Yet in court they lied on the stand saying they did pay us (no receipts, no documents, no pictures, no nothing) and the court believed them. 

It seems that in New Jersey this is becoming more and more of a common practice. I've talked to neighbors in towns like clifton, passaic, newark and paterson who have experienced tenants taking advantage of small time landlords.  Tenants who are taking advantage of the friendly tenant laws and the system. The ones who are the most vulnerable are the small or medium sized landlords and they know that. I'm becoming sick of it.

So, our fear is that the 2nd floor is good friends with the guy who got evicted and is telling them to do the same thing. Simply put a mattress in the living room and claim that you are living in a rooming house and the tenant friendly court will give you 6 months relocation fees. They can do this for each individual living in the apartment. ITS SOMETHING THATS BEYOND WORDS. 

I thought I'd share this story to you all as a warning. If anyone wants to share your thoughts or advice please feel free.

I wouldn't hold a rental for anyone.  In my area, it is illegal for a landlord to require a tenant to provide more than 30 days notice of a lease renewal (we can ask if they are staying earlier, but we cannot force them to decide prior to the 30 days) so it is very common in our market to start looking the month before you move.  

If my rental is available Feb 1 I don't start marketing it till Jan 10, because earlier in the month you get people that are "just looking" and are not in a rush.  

When I get phone calls from tenants that say the are looking to move in a few months I just explain the law, and that it is uncommon for landlords to know if the tenant is staying this far in advance.  

I market it saying "only accepting applications for Feb 1" and in my confirmation email I restate that any lease will be signed for Feb 1 and if you are looking to move in after you will still need to pay all of February rent.  But I also live in a pretty hot rental market and usually have 20+ showings in the first 48 hours of listing and at least 2-3 good applicants

I rent short term furnished rentals. Typically tenants stay between 3-6 months. Since the units are furnished I sometimes hold the place for a couple weeks to accommodate their desired move in date. If I have some days to fill then I'll Airbnb it to bring in a bit of cash. 

I have one open for Feb 10 now and I signed a guy for Feb 18. That's just fine. I had MANY people asking if it'll be available in May or June. I simple reply that I require 30 days notice so I should no better closer to their dates. I would never hold a place for that long. 

People are constantly in flux, job relocation, divorce, breakups, and I'd not wait longer than 30 days with approved application to fill the unit.

Advertise MOVE in Ready for Feb 1st

complete credit check, they can pre sign the lease pending application approval and once you get the approval you sign it and send them the copy, they leave you the deposit at time of application and rent due date of move in.. some will pay up front, but usually this is pretty normal.

My first question on callers is how soon are you looking to move, if they say something Im not in line with I say I'll keep your number but right now I'm looking for someone by Feb 1st my units just that nice and I'm sure it will rent for that date.