Older tenant neglecting rental property - what would you do?

Question

We have a triplex under contract and the condition of one of the units is very concerning. Filth and leaks in both the bathroom and kitchen faucets were identified in the inspection. The tenant is older, loves the property, wants to stay and pays consistently, but is not taking care of any basic or rational cleaning/upkeep. Must be some mental health issues at play in the condition she lives in. Fixing the leaks will be relatively straightforward (replace vanity and kitchen faucet) as the inspection did not uncover major damage from the leaks in the crawl space, however this needs to be addressed.

The apartment will need new flooring, new bathroom, deep cleaning, full painting, when she moves out (if she ever does).

What would you do?

The apartment will need new flooring, new bathroom, deep cleaning, full painting, when she moves out (if she ever does).

What would you do?

Mary M. · Answer

If the numbers work, buy the property and fix the leaks.

Carson Wilcox · Answer

long term tenants are gold.  unless they are causing issues outside the unit.  So you want to buy this triplex.  and you have a consistent payer.  Right now you know the unit needs x amount of repair, and y amount of recon if vacant.  But you can do JUST the repairs now, and defer the recon until turnover, which you already know it needs.  I would do a new lease obviously.  raise the rent a bit to anticipate the repairs, and require more cleanliness, dog waste etc... and then as was mentioned, do semi annual walk throughs.  knowings its stinky (who cares) but ensuring no water damage etc.. is happening.  It is likely the owners never cared... maybe a little attention from you can make tenant improve.

Lynnette E. · Answer

If the other units in the triplex are experiencing issues from the uncleanliness in the one unit, discuss it with the tenant and see if you can increase her rent to pay for a house cleaner to come in twice a month.

If the floors are trip hazards, fix them now, otherwise wait until she leaves.  If the paint is peeling fix it now, otherwise when she leaves.

Replace the faucets.

Make sure her deposit is enough to cover a deep clean when she leaves.

Mary Erickson · Answer

I have 3 units built in 1926 and one of the tenants lets everything go, just like you describe.  I now do inspections on all my units every 6 months.  We inspect for leaks, running toilets, working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, we check locks and fire extinguishers and make sure there are  no other conditions we might happen to see while there...like extra roommates and animals that aren't allowed in these particular units.  When you let someone moving in know that you do inspections on plumbing and working safety features every 6 months you will lose potential tenants that smoke, are planning to move in more people or pets that you don't allow, etc etc.  It's one of the best decision I ever made as a landlord and it costs me about 25.00 an hour to have my handyman go through all 3 units, it only takes a little over an hour as they are next to each other.

To answer your question...  I would buy the property and keep the  tenant and just fix the issues, they're probably minor.

Laura George · Answer

@Adrianne Grimm

Cash flow that baby until she moves and then fix and rent again.  The water leaks need to be stopped immediately.  Keep in mind that if the tenant is content living in those conditions then whatever you fix will soon return to its current condition.  If the numbers work then hands off and cash flow baby!! If you need to rehab to make the numbers work then you also need a new tenant.

Adrianne G. · Answer

@Jonathan Watt I appreciate hearing this perspective too.

Karen Margrave · Answer

@Adrianne G. It sounds more like there's deferred maintenance. Regarding housekeeping, depending on her age there are sometimes programs to help seniors if they're unable to care for themselves.

Dennis M. · Answer

@Caleb Heimsoth

Agreed . Get the repairs and safety things done first . Fix the leaks ..Don’t worry about that nutcase tenant who never cleans . Let them wallow in their filth as long as they pay rent . Is this a businesswoman make money .. or a community reinvestment building for mentally handicapped?

Caleb Heimsoth · Answer

@Adrianne G.fix leaks do nothing else

Anthony Wick · Answer

@Adrianne G.

I would remove them. Or have the unit delivered empty. You’re going to spend money replacing everything, but keep the tenant that let the damage get to the point of needing the repairs?

Older tenant neglecting rental property - what would you do?

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