All Forum Posts by: Thomas B.

I had a tenant that did that and it worked out great even though they technically violated the lease. They came into money, bought a house, moved out of the apartment and basically kept the apartment as a guest house. It was occupied maybe 30 days a year. No wear and tear, fine with me. 

Now if they were causing issues I’d toss them right out if they weren’t willing to rectify the situation 

I remember reading somewhere a while ago (probably on here) that a tenant who puts significant money into a rental can actually claim some sort of ownership. I suppose that would probably vary by locality. May their be any truth to that?  

 He was not promised a new fence and it is not in the lease agreement. This is more a question of whether or not it’s worth it to give him his fence or cut my losses and walk away.

Thanks for your responses. 

I made promises in the lease all of which were kept. The fence was not among them.   Funny you mention making an area for his dog. There actually is an area within the larger fenced area with a 6’ chain link fence for the previous owners dog that he opts not to use. The fence is in fair condition. I will probably have to replace it in the next couple years. However we’re talking a few hundred dollars for a new 3 foot fence verse five times that for a new 6 foot fence.

Rent is 2800. It’s nice but not luxury, just an expensive area. I’m figuring a 2-3 month vacancy based on what it took to place a new tenant last time plus minor paint touch ups and such.

Yes the tenants behavior is bothering me. That’s what has me worried more than anything. Like I said if his dog manages to jump over the taller fence I’m worried he’s going to expect an even larger fence or some other type of barrier to keep his dog in the yard provided at my expense. 

I would absolutely want to try to get the remainder of the lease from him if he left. I’d have to consult with my attorney on it. NY is fairly tenant friendly and I have a feeling he’d say if it’s two months, let it go. Even if I win the rent plus legal fees I still have to pay my lawyer up front and then attempt to actually collect the judgement. 

Good afternoon. 

I have a tenant who has been in a property for about nine months. When he signed the lease and moved in I had a 3’ fence around the yard. Now his dog has learned to jump over the fence.  He wants me to install a 6’ fence at my expense ($1500ish) or he’s going to break the lease and move out. 

I said somthing along the lines of that if the fence breaks I am responsible for repairing it. My responsibility ends there. It is not my responsibility to ensure your dogs can’t escape. When you signed the lease the fence was there and you judged that it was adequate. What if I put the 6’ fence in and the dog learns to climb it? Then do you want an 8’ fence?  

Well that didn’t go over too well. I broke down and offered to split the cost of the fence with him. He wanted none of it and just hung up on me.  Since then I haven’t spoken to him and figured I’d just let this play out the hard way if he wants.  I’m having second thoughts now and want some opinions  

The place isn’t a dump. It’s a nice house and I just dumped about 10k into updates before he moved in. So far I’ve been reaponsive to any issue he’s had. Somthing breaks and it’s fixed in a day or two with quality materials.  I went so far as to buy a dehumidifier so he could use the basement for storage, replace the screen his dog damaged at no charge and other little things I don’t technically have to do to make it nicer for him  Now I feel like he’s taking advantage.

Now the reason I’m considering giving in. I’m getting a good amount of money in rent. This guy is paying about 300 a month more then the other offers I was getting for it. Turnovers are expensive. Rents are high here so a turnover will likely cost me 5-8k. 

I’m thinking of calling him back and offering to put up the fence if he signs a one year lease extension with a 2% rent increase. He was getting the increase either way. 

I appreciate any input. 

Good afternoon.  I signed up and have been reading here a while.

I’m in NY on Long Island. I started investing a few years ago almost by accident. I bought a two family property a few years ago as a rent in one house, live in the other situation to help with the bills. Since then I stumbled upon a single family deal too good to pass up. Though I had no real desire to start real estate investing I rarely let a deal pass me by and bought it. I’ve since bought another property as my primary residence and moved out of and rented the two family. So I’ve become a defacto real estate investor on top of my full time plumbing jobs. 

I’m here mostly just to read and gather information. Maybe get some insight on issues I run into from those with more experience then me as well.  Now that I have a few places I’m more interested in investing and may be expanding in the future. Right now I have a major renovation looming and need to get through that first.