All Forum Posts by: Sylvia H.

Thank you to all. I agree with that. I know in Connecticut it is the law that if on a month to month they stay past the 1st they owe for the month. Was just curious to how others handled this. All of you gave great advice. 

 Sam thank you so much for your wise advice. My apologies for responding so late. I haven't been online and only saw this today. I will definitely reach out to you. We landlords have to stick together. Thanks for the advice

If a tenant gives you a 30 day notice and is supposed to be out on the 30th but doesn't actually leave until the 4th, are they obligated to pay the month that they stayed in? This came up in small claims court and the magistrate said if you're there on the 1st you owe for the month. The magistrate didn't even want to hear any testimony.  Anyone else experience this?

I recently had an apartment for rent and was approached by The Connections. It's a housing agency that replaces people into housing. I've dealt with them in the past and have had success so I wasn't worried when they referred this woman to me. She seemed very nice. She had a 1 year old daughter who was very well behaved. I rented her the apartment after doing my usual prior eviction checks, criminal checks, etc. I did my homework as I do with all of my units. 30 days into her lease I get a complaint from the condo association that said she was overdosed and running and screaming in the hallways and banging on everyone's door. That night she was taken to the hospital over dosed on fentanyl  and her child was appropriately place in foster care. 

Upon learning that she had over dosed the Connections in Middletown informed me that they would pay through the eviction as well as find her housing to get her help and out of there. Two days later they discharged her from the program and left me holding the bag in now having to evict her, which is not going to be easy because although I can get her out for noise complaints it is not easy nor quick.  I feel this agency knowingly gave me a tenant on drugs. Didn't tell me this was her background and then left me holding the bag. It is going to cost me thousands to evict, lost rent, not to mention the apartment was recently renovated and I shutter to think of what the unit will look like after this woman and her drugged out friends will leave the place looking like. I understand that illegal drug activity is grounds to be discontinued from a state or federal program like Section 8 however if there have been no arrests or convictions it because a he said she said deal. Which leads me to believe that they are indeed responsible for at least paying the rent until such time as she is out of the unit. Anyone ever experience anything like this? Much appreciated. 

 I would tell them that your insurance does not allow swimming pools and that they need to immediately take it down.  A pool is an attractive nuisance. If someone goes there and drowns it's you they will be suing not your tenant. Give him 5 days and then take it down yourself. They don't have permission. You need to be clear in your lease what they can and can't do. Another one is backyard swing sets, and trampolines. That can be dangerous as well. 

 Hi there. If you have enough income from one of them you are fine. Don't saddle yourself up in their marital situation because it's nothing to do with you. You could what if yourself to death and still end up with a bad tenant. Put the both on the lease so you have both responsible but remember they are jointly and severally responsible for the payment. If he takes off or they break up it does not excuse him from paying and you could go after him alone for all the money owed. If they have evidence of prior rent payments on time, and enough money for security and rent that is all you need to worry about. Good luck to you. 

Wow those are really reasonable rents. Before doing any renovations with existing tenants make sure they are worth the improvements. You don't want to throw good money after bad. If they are not taking care of the unit, or not paying rent on time, you probably don't want to keep them on in the first place so I would proceed with caution. I have had inherited tenants in the past and one was excellent who is still my tenant to this day and the other not so much so you just need to take a wait and see approach. 

Found someone to do just repairs. He’s great, super efficient and goes out the same day. I couldn’t be happier