All Forum Posts by: Troy L.

Hi, I have  four sfr properties that I rent out for my personal income as well as a business investment.  They are all on a month to month agreement and have all been there a year or more. One of the properties is a three bedroom with no garage that the tenants pay on time but require more of my time than the others .

The properties  rent is more under market than the others as well but I raised their rent a year ago and I plan on raising it about three percent again this year according to state law.  My question is I haven't raised my two bedroom rents at all because they are close to market value in my area.  The tenants in the 3 bedroom rental aren't in a protected class but I do not want to get in any kind of legal bind.  It is not retaliatory in nature also.

Is it legal to raise rents on one property and not all of them?  

Thanks to everyone who took the time to post on this!

 Nathan, thanks for your reply, I have that hud document saved and have read it in entirety multiple times. Around page 11 it talks about fraudulent websites advertising on the internet. Then goes on to speak about legit teleconferences used to gain esa letter.   It doesn’t mention however, whether or not a provider has to be in the same state as the patient. 

I have read on several esa websites that providers do have to reside or be licensed in the state the patient lives in. I don't trust everything I read on the web so I called the state FHA office today and spoke with a lady that said she would have a specialist call me back about my question. No call back yet.

 Richard, thanks for your reply.  I agree that landlords should be able to verify esa letter is from a reliable source.  The confusion arises when government agencies don’t spell out exactly what providers must include as far as proving they are a legit qualifying provider or how long a relationship with the patient is.

Hi everyone,  A tenant has brought to my attention she wants a esa for medical problem at sfr I rent to her.  So today I get a text with a picture of letter from an alleged medical provider (DNP-C).  Missing from the letter was date written, letterhead, liscense number and signature.  So l text back tenant and ask if she could have provider resubmit letter with missing info and she replied she would.  I then asked her to please tell me the providers physical business address, twice and was not given ananswer.  I have read online that medical providers must reside in the same state as patient and also that they don’t.

Does anyone know for sure if it is required for provider to be in same state or not?

Does each state have its own laws concerning this?

Thanks in advance!

Greg M, Thanks for your reply!

Brad, thanks for your reply.  The coverage amounts quoted to me by a State Farm representative was either 100 or 150, 300 and 500 thousand . He said 300 is only a couple dollars more a month than the lower amount.  I thought that sounded pretty reasonable for 10 to fifteen dollars a month.  I’m trying to keep rents low as they are already high and competitive around my area.  Yeah I wasn’t sure about making them go with a certain company so I’m going to let them chose as long as their coverage meets my limits. 

Mason, thanks for your reply.  I did not have renters insurance required on initial lease but since lease is monthly I will be adding it on the first next month for renewal of lease.  Thanks again.

Hi everyone,  I have decided that I am requiring my renters to purchase renters insurance  With 10,000 personal property and 300,000 liability and that I will be added as an additional interest so I am notified Incase of cancellation. I want to add an extra layer of protection Incase someone is hurt on one of my properties. I spoke with an agent and he said would be 10-15 monthly.  

My question for those that require renters insurance is;  should I require them all to purchase insurance from company of my choice as to hopefully keep all policies and coverages the same or let renters pick out their own company?  What is your policy?  Thanks for your thoughts!

Aaron K, that makes sense being they did both sign the lease.  Joe K., my main concern was that if one member of couple wanted to leave relationship for whatever reason, that if unemployed person stayed and employed left, I would be S.O.L.. I’d just have to go after person with job.  I get what you and Wale L. are saying about being flexible and to look at the whole picture.  I recently have decided to accept applications from felons with qualifying conditions being met as I found out you can be discriminating against minorities if you blanket reject all felons.  Lot to know.

That being said, isn’t it good to have screening criteria printed on paper and follow it closely to save guesswork and avoid anyone saying that you discriminated against them?  

Thanks for the helpful replies!