All Forum Posts by: Troy B.

I just bought my first duplex rental property last year and going to put an offer in on another today. Pennsylvania has very high title search and title insurance costs. My first property had very high closing costs at around $4000 for a 42,000 property. What is the best way to reduce these closing costs in Pennsylvania?

I have a good renter of 4 mouths and today she told me her 15 yr old sister was moving in the the apartment with her. Is there anything special I would need to do here to cover my butt?

Well, she told me she left the place clean but after visiting the apartment today, it was anything but. The place was very dirty, a busted door jamb, clogged sink, snagged and stain carpet. I will be calling the magistrate office Monday morning. Doesn't pay to take sympathy on people I guess. I learned my lesson!

I know I will hear about this, but I made a new landlord mistake and told them they could make payments on the security deposit. The tenants never did make any attempt to pay the security during their two months, so No, I don't have that to take as payment for the lease remainder. One good note is they left the place pretty clean.

I'm a new landlord so this process is all new to me. My issue is I had a three month lease with a tenant and they moved out a month early saying they just got in over their heads. They moved out without warning and then sent me a email wanting to know if they could work out payments for the remainder of the lease. I want to work with them, but I have a real doubt they will pay anything even if I make arrangements with them.

Should I just file this with the district magistrate to collect my $500 in owed rent or work with them in the hopes of maybe getting at least some rent?

What about dealing with a tenant who only wants the place shown when they are home? Even through that severely limits the times to show the place during the day.

Yes, it says in the lease that "landlord has the right to enter for inspection, service and to show to prospective new tenants. A two day notice will be given, if practicable".

My problem is she doesn't want it shown unless she is there and the times she is there is after 5 pm. Some possible new renters can't make it before then. Would I still have the right to enter the place if she isn't home as long as I gave her the 2 day notice? The property is located in PA and I can't find any specific laws regarding this.

I'm a new landlord and I have a tenant that just informed me she is moving out at the end of the month. I have some prospective new tenants that want to look at the place but can only make it during hours she isn't home. She is now telling me she doesn't want anyone in the apartment while she isn't home. Do I have the right to show the apartment with a 24 hr notice even if she isn't home?

Would all travel expenses be deductible even if the travel to the unit was for installing carpet and improvements as such? I live about 30 mins. from my unit and have been traveling to it nearly every day.

So does this mean that doing painting and other repairs can't be deducted unless the unit is up for rent? I have had it for about a month now and have been working over that month to get it up to par before renting it out. How do they expect you to paint and make repairs if the apartment is it's being occupied? Sorry I'm confused.