All Forum Posts by: Sylvia H.

Contact a local attorney about tenants rights in your city. It differs with every jurisdiction and I wouldn't want to give you advice on what may not be applicable to where you live. Best of luck.

1 Vote

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Quote from @ASHLEY RICHARDSON:

Hi, My name is Ashley I am new to Real Estate.I looking into wholesaling, rehab, and buy and hold(landlording) apartment complexs.But where do i start? Where do i go? How do i fund it ? How do i get the deal under contract? And What contracts do i use? i understand the concpect but i want to get started and dont know how?!?!?!? i have bought book and so on. I've been wanting to invest in real estate ever since i was 12 years old and now 12 years later im ready to start. but i have a problem bad credit and no money? please help thanks

Get your credit cleaned up and save your money. You can't buy anything without those two things.

0 Votes

Quote from @Jacky Johnson:

I had a tenant who moved out almost 6 months ago. Yesterday, I received a written notice mailed to my address from his garbage collection company that he used while renting my property that he has a past due around $8. The garbage collection company said this is a final notice and I need to pay this amount within 30 days or a lien will be placed on my property. I have noticed my tenant and still waiting for his response. I know my tenant’s new address and he bought a home. What disciplinary action can I take against him if he doesn’t pay on time? Paying his past due myself is the last resort.

My time is worth more than 8 dollars. I would just pay it.

0 Votes

Quote from @Kenneth Garrett:

@Bob Stevens

Hi Bob, sorry to hear about your situation. Condemnation only means the house is unfit for occupancy. It doesn’t mean anything more than that. I disagree the city only cares about revenue. It is there obligation to ensure the unit’s are compliant with building codes. Fees are just a means to get compliance.

During due diligence, I always fill out a FOIA request (Freedom of Information Act) through the city. I ask for any code violations on the property, history of permits, outstanding permits, outstanding water bills, zoning district and compliance and litigation that might be ongoing. The information is free and takes about a week to receive the information or less. That would have avoided this unfortunate situation.

Contact the city and work with them on what needs to be done. I think it’s unnecessary to move tenants out for them to inspect. This is going to be sensitive with the city. Just because a property is condemned does not mean it’s recorded. A title search will not necessary reveal this.

You may need to hire an attorney if it becomes ugly with the city. I was a building and zoning official for over 30 years feel free to dm me.

Exactly. Your post was spot on. The city officials aren’t trying to give people a hard time, they are just doing their job. I’m sure something reasonable can be worked out. 👍

1 Vote

Quote from @Peter Walther:

Quote from @Sylvia H.:

Quote from @Veena Vaidyanathan:

Hi All, Noob out of state investor and this is my first investment property.
I recently closed on a duplex in OH. Both units were being rented. However Renter 1 stopped paying rent during the ownership transition.

Property management tried to register the property with the city to start the eviction process.
Shocker: When they attempted to register, the city responded back saying this property is condemned.

It appears seller purchased this condemned property, renovated it however didn't get the necessary city approvals and permit. None of this was surfaced prior to the purchase.

PM is saying we'll need to evacuate both renters and run a complete city inspection which is going to take several months if not a year.

Looking for help here.

Question 1) At what point should this have been caught? Can I go behind the seller or real estate agent with a legal action?

Question 2) Should i evacuate the tenants and proceed with city inspection. Any prior experience dealing with this situation. Both time and money?

Question 3) What should my priority be in terms of next steps here?

Common sense indicates that you should have checked that apartments were in compliance prior to buying the home. It is up to the buyer to perform their due diligence prior to closing on a property. A realtor isn't going to do that for you nor is the lender. Lender is only concerned with value should they need to foreclose, realtor is only concerned with is this a legal 2 unit. Closing attorney or title company checks title. Not sure if the fact that the house was condemned was put on the title, some town halls are behind. Beyond that it's up to you I'm afraid. All is not lost however. You now own the property and will have to make it legal. You should be able to get someone from the town to inspect the unit so at least you can get a certificate of occupancy. I don't know why they would need you to empty the house. That sounds ridiculous. What difference does it make? They aren't going to tear up the walls to see what's behind them. Get a plumber and an electrician to check the wiring to certify that there are no safety hazards. Beyond that the town should be able to work with what is there to deem it livable. Next time check yourself. Any permits would be on the field card at the town. I wouldn't waste time sueing anyone because that doesn't fix your problem and will take years to sort out. Good luck to you.

Oh no, someone who thinks the guy laying out cash should have some responsibility, what's the world coming to? However, if the house has been condemned I suspect there is something more wrong than just cosmetics.
By definition the place is unfit for use.

condemn

v. 1) for a public agency to determine that a building is unsafe or unfit for habitation and must be torn down or rebuilt to meet building and health code requirements. 2) for a governmental agency to take private property for public use under the right of eminent domain, but constitutionally the property owner must receive just compensation. If an agreement cannot be reached then the owner is entitled to a court determination of value in a condemnation action (lawsuit), but the public body can take the property immediately upon deposit of the estimated value. 3) to sentence a convicted defendant to death. 4) send to prison. (See: condemnation action, eminent domain, capital punishment)

Copyright © 1981-2005 by Gerald N. Hill and Kathleen T. Hill. All Right reserved.

Yes, they are going to tear off the sheetrock to make sure the wiring, plumbing and mechanical are up to code. That's why you generally get the rough in inspected before putting up the drywall. I suspect no tradesmen is going to sign off on work someone else did.

No. This is not a new house. A town can condemn a property for a myriad of reasons. There might be repairs the previous owner didn't do and the city condemned the property. The plumbing and electrical can be checked at the box. Outlets can be tested. You don't have to pull the house apart to do that. Those items are checked on old houses all the time and there is no record of who worked on them. Also foreclosed properties tend to be a big mystery box. I've purchased old homes and the tradesmen were able to go in and check the plumbing and electrical wiring without ripping the sheetrock off. It's the connections that need to be done right so they can check that without doing too much damage. Ridiculous

0 Votes

Quote from @Veena Vaidyanathan:

Property management tried to register the property with the city to start the eviction process.
Shocker: When they attempted to register, the city responded back saying this property is condemned.

Looking for help here.

Question 1) At what point should this have been caught? Can I go behind the seller or real estate agent with a legal action?

Question 2) Should i evacuate the tenants and proceed with city inspection. Any prior experience dealing with this situation. Both time and money?

Question 3) What should my priority be in terms of next steps here?

1 Vote

You have to use someone who is licensed to do business in the state you are buying in. If your friend is licensed in that state you can use their company, if not you need to find someone who is. Most large lenders are licensed in all 50 states

0 Votes

Tacoma, Washington

Quote from @Tariq B.:

@Sylvia H. I’m not new to section 8 it’s just extremely frustrating how there are no guidelines to passing, there is no standard it’s up to however the inspector feels that day. And we are just supposed to take it with no recourse. Only for tenants to destroy the property again. If the condition of the property is good enough for the tenant moving in who is the inspector to say that a wall needs to be painted.

Don't know what to tell you. If you want to rent to Section 8 people you have to deal with the inspector. Some tenants will live anywhere with no standards. Perhaps you are renting to the wrong people.

1 Vote

Quote from @Tariq B.:

I am frustrated. Once again I feel defeated by the awful inspection system of Baltimore City.

I just had one of my units inspected and it failed for the most subjective items.

Such as:

Paint walls in basement laundry room (it’s in a the basement)

Remove bars from basement window

Fix or replace dryer making noise (it heats ups and works)

Paint basement door

Clean cabinets and sink (they are emptied and clean)

Paint basement floor (it was paired during turnover)

Clean all windows (8 of them are new from this turn over)

Back yard clean up debris (he didn’t like the leaves in the back yard)

The inspection process for Baltimore City section 8 is so broken and subjective. It’s al Pat like the inspectors are expecting to be paid off and if you don’t they come up with unnecessary “repairs”.

The inspection is to make sure the house is safe and up to HUD standards. Having to paint walls that have never been painted or painting a back door, or removing bars from a window when there are multiple exits are not health and safety concerns.

Have any landlords in the area has any luck fighting these erroneous requests?

I would make sure when the inspector comes that you be present. When the owner is present you an ask questions such as why do I need to paint the basement. Here is what I think might be the problem. The bars on the window create a barrier to exit if there was a fire and someone got trapped down there. A dryer making noise indicates that there is a problem and the dryer could catch fire. I would want to fix it if I were you. The leaves in the backyard is a bit of a stretch but maybe they don't want the house to look unsightly. Any area that you use such as a laundry room for your tenants would have to meet the same standards as the apartment would. So that might be why they wanted you to paint it. Again a room used for laundry should be kept nice and clean and I don't really disagree with that. If the inspector is there with the owner present they can speak to you and get you involved in their decision. Basement or not the room has to be well ventilated and safe. Bars on the window can be problematic. When the inspector comes for the recertifications also make plans to be present or your tenant will be pointing out everything so they can get a home makeover at your expense. Welcome to the world of Section 8. Keep a good attitude and comply. Best way to get on the good side of these guys.

1 Vote

Quote from @Conner Hitchcock:

So I’ve nearly got my first day as a landlord in the books until I get a call from my tenant….

The top loader laundry machine explodes. Apparently during its first run, the drum comes loose and blows the front off the which causes the washer to drain onto the newly installed carpets and proceeds to flood the basement.

Glad I bought a dehumidifier yesterday and had a bunch of towels lying around 😂😂😂. We’re getting it cleaned up and I am off to Home Depot tomorrow to get another new washer!

Who knew being a real estate investor was so glamorous 😂😂😂

That is exactly why I don't allow washers in apartments. I always put them in the basement in a nice laundry room. So much easier.

0 Votes

All Forum Posts by: Sylvia H.

Sylvia H. has started 8 posts and replied 140 times.

Post: "House-hacking" & Tenant rights?

Post: Ready to invest in real estate but dont know where to start!!!!!!!

Post: Final Notice for past due garbage collection charges

Post: Purchased a condemned property (without knowing it). Next steps?

Post: Purchased a condemned property (without knowing it). Next steps?

condemn

Post: Purchased a condemned property (without knowing it). Next steps?

Post: Mortgage Broker/ Loan officer

Post: Baltimore Section 8 Inspector Results.

Post: Baltimore Section 8 Inspector Results.

Post: First day as a landlord problems 😂