Newbie Rental diary - Part 2

Newbie Rental diary - Part 2

Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2014 · 49 posts · 12 votes

We are now 60 days into our new business and it's getting a bit more complicated.  

Duplex #1 - tenant "B" eventually payed last months rent but is late AGAIN this month. My wife  ....er, partner doesn't want evict because tenant is a single mother and according to the prior owner she always pays but she is always late. There's 2 months left on the lease and I don't thing we will offer a renewal.

Duplex #2 - Tenant "A" no problems: young pregnant couple that pays on time.  Tenant "B" has been in violation of the lease by keeping 2 small dogs in the house.  They're lease was ending February 1st so we gave them the option of $300 pet deposit + $25/mo rent increase or get rid of the dogs or move.  They moved and we kept the security deposit due to the absolute FILTH they left in the appartment.  Now we are renovating, which I wasn't planing to do for a few months but we couldn't let the opportunity of an empty unit pass us by. After we tossed the garbage and ripped up the carpet and linoleum this is what we have: both bedrooms have water stained hardwood floors, bathroom and halway floor rotted, mold around bedroom windows, 6 of 8 windows are broken/damaged, duct work for HVAC is damaged.  Oh, and I've never seen so many roaches !  All totals about $8k in repairs and updates, bringing our total investment to $54k. On the plus side, we think we can rent for $600 - 650 once it's done (current rent was $490).  We put up flyers locally and a sign in the front.  Got 15 phone calls in one week and only 3 said the rent was too high.  Plan is to do an open house around the 24th and pick a tenant by the 26th, with lease starting March 1st.  Is that too ambitious ?  Do we need more tome to vet the applicants?

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  • Investor · Hampton Roads, VA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 418 votes
    11y

    If your place is getting trashed like that, I would tighten up on my screening and inspection criteria.

  • Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2014 · 49 posts · 12 votes
    11y

    @Bryan N. We inherited those tenants and knew there was gonna be a mess when we got rid of them.  That's why we got it so cheap :)

  • Real Estate Broker · Modesto, CA · Member since 2014 · 82 posts · 76 votes
    11y

    Rob - man brotha - I feel for you,

    just a heads up - this is what I use to do:

    1. I never let my tenants know - i was the only owner - I told them, I was the sweat equity partner - the majority ownership was a law firm

    2. I always collected the rent check at the kitchen counter - they invited me in.

        as i walked in - my head moved on a swivel - left to right - i called out everything

    3. hate to say it - brotha... '"you show me a bad tenant - i'll show you a bad landlord"

    the fruit -  don't fall far from the tree

    I wish you the best!!!

    Michael Rae

  • Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2014 · 49 posts · 12 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @MICHAEL YBARRA:

    3. hate to say it - brotha... '"you show me a bad tenant - i'll show you a bad landlord"

    the fruit -  don't fall far from the tree

     Agreed.  Our screening process will be by the book - backround , credit check and references.  If possible a drive by their current residence might be in order as well.

  • Real Estate Broker · Modesto, CA · Member since 2014 · 82 posts · 76 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Rob Gleason:
    Originally posted by @MICHAEL YBARRA:

    3. hate to say it - brotha... '"you show me a bad tenant - i'll show you a bad landlord"

    the fruit -  don't fall far from the tree

     Agreed.  Our screening process will be by the book - backround , credit check and references.  If possible a drive by their current residence might be in order as well.

     Rob -

    Good  - lesson learned - touch this stove only once

    Michael Rae

  • Investor · Portland, OR · Member since 2014 · 354 posts · 149 votes
    11y

    I don't think you are too ambitious with your plans. I have a rental that a property management company said they could only get $2400 MAX out of. So, we listed it ourselves for $2700 and it rented! Tenants are great and we have a great relationship. Be a good landlord, expect and hold your tenants to high standards, and you should be just fine.

  • Dawn AnastasiPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 6k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    11y

    Unfortunately when you inherit tenants you sometimes have to deal with these issues especially if the prior owner didn't know what they were doing.  (Trust me, I have experience with that.)

    Make sure you put durable products into your unit as long as you're remodeling.  I would stay away from carpet.  Cleaning and painting can go a long way.  I go with semi-gloss paint on all the walls and trim to make them easier to clean in the future.

    Bathrooms and kitchens - ceramic tile not sheet vinyl which can rip.

    Now that YOU have a chance to place the tenant, make sure you have a quality unit and don't settle for less than a quality tenant.

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