All Forum Posts by: Trevor Levine

I own and live in a triplex with 6-7 residents. My plumber just installed laundry plumbing and a gas line in our utility room. There will only be one stackable washer/dryer for all residents. So if something breaks, I'll need it fixed right away. On this basis, do you recommend leasing or buying? 

Leasing a Maytag laundry center from Wash.com would cost me $100/mo, but reviewers say they can take weeks to come out for repairs.

A local place called Mission Laundry Equipment can lease me a Speed Queen laundry center for $110/mo, or sell it to me for $4,299 (actually $5,450 with all taxes and fees for delivery, installation, and setting up the credit card system). They have almost no reviews.

With 6-7 residents, how often should I expect to need repairs? And do you recommend leasing or buying?

A lender told me that if I let several banks/lenders pull my credit within a short timeframe (like 14-21 days), it won't hurt my score anymore than if there was just one credit inquiry. But they weren't sure of the timeframe. Do you know what it is? 

I just met with a prospective tenant who informed me that she smokes a little marijuana at bedtime. She's willing to smoke either inside, or outside in the back yard of my triplex (which I also live in). I'd rather not smell it. But if she smokes inside, might it stain the paint on the ceiling? Thanks!

Wow, I really appreciate all of your replies. Thanks a million! Yes, maybe I will have to ask that they pay rent for the entire 8 months upfront. 

Two youngsters want to rent my 1-bedroom furnished apartment. They have little income, but one says her parents are supporting her while she's in college. So I asked if the parents would co-sign.

The parents said Yes, but they are French citizens living in France. I assume they do not have SS#s. If I rent to the kids and they default, and the parents also default, is there any real downside for the parents?

I know I can take the kids to court, and maybe put an unlawful detainer on their credit reports. But would I have any leverage to make the parents pay? Thanks.

My tenant broke his lease. In order to fill my apartment, I had to lower the rent. (Rents have dropped 20% in the SF Bay area.) The replacement tenant signed a lease directly with me, not a sublet lease with the tenant who left. Question: Can I charge the original tenant the difference in rent, through the end of his lease period?

I'm deeding my CA property into a CA LLC. The member/manager will be a WY LLC. I want to ensure that my corporate veils stay intact, and my LLCs are never perceived as "alter egos" by a judge. To be fully prepared for potential lawsuits, is it enough to have a WY Registered Agent? Or must I have a physical office in WY too?