All Forum Posts by: Douglas B.

So check THIS out! My attorney says I'm allowed to run background checks on anyone 10+ (or whatever age I set) and have all folks 18+ sign the lease!

Bingo.

lol. ok got it

Another question:

Can I legally insist on running a background check on every tenant age 10 and up? Can I charge the applicant for that? I will be renting in an area with higher crime rates and I wouldn't want a juvenile offender living in my unit, even if the adult on the lease turns up clean.

Follow?

Wow, you all brought up some very interesting points. I'm really glad I asked.

So:

1. it IS ok for me to charge the fee for background check for every person over 18? That's ok legally?

2. it's OK for me to insist that anyone over 18 who will be residing the unit must sign the lease, even with my section 8 rentals? Section 8 won't give me a hard time with this?

(a sub30kclub topic)

I'm thinking about renting a duplex to section 8 tenants. To protect myself, I'm thinking about insisting on running a criminal background check on every person who will be living in the unit, not just the person signing the lease. (I'd run a criminal background check and a credit check on him or her).

I know it'd cost me a little more up front since I'm sure I could't charge the tenant for the cost to background check everyone, but I think that extra cost might be worth it for my peace of mind.

Any advice?

Doug

excellent advice from some fellow Buffalo investors. Thanks.

I'm planning to use MYSMARTMOVE.COM

fantastic advice everyone! Thanks!

@Rhonda Jones Here in Buffalo we have an abundance of sub30k duplexes in urban poor areas. Taxes are under $300/yr. rents are going around $500/month/unit.

We are hoping to buy into this niche market and run clean and safe homes focused on the section8 market. My only concern is that Buffalo isn't a growing area. Yet, I still believe that there will always be a need for the product we hope to provide.

I'd like your feedback Rhonda. Any thoughts?

Here in Buffalo, there are a lot of under 30k duplexes in depressed areas of the city. These are neighborhoods where I wouldn't walk at night. They are higher crime areas too although based on CRIMEREPORTS.com info, it seems reasonable safe as long as long as you're taking precautions to be safe. We were hoping to market to section8 tenants and carefully screen for quality tenants.

I wonder if anyone else does these type of urban rentals and what advice you may have. I would strongly prefer to keep this discussion on topic and hear advice only from people with direct experience in this area.

(A sub30kclub topic)