Rookie Landlord (Utah)

General Landlording & Rental Properties
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Rookie Landlord (Utah)

Parker Davis
Homeowner 路 Taylorsville, UT 路 Member since 2025 路 15 posts 路 10 votes

Hello. We are looking to pull the trigger on our first duplex/MIL! Any tips for a first time landlord that has no idea what he's doing? Thanks 馃檹馃徏

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Richard F.
Honolulu, HI 路 Member since 2008 路 3k+ posts 路 2k+ votes
6mo
Depends if occupied or not; if you plan to live in one side or not; observed general conditions.

It also depends on your actual understanding of building systems and structures; Fed, State, and Local laws regarding LL/Tenant relationships; and ultimately, your goal for the property.
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  • Richard F.
    Honolulu, HI 路 Member since 2008 路 3k+ posts 路 2k+ votes
    6mo
    Depends if occupied or not; if you plan to live in one side or not; observed general conditions.

    It also depends on your actual understanding of building systems and structures; Fed, State, and Local laws regarding LL/Tenant relationships; and ultimately, your goal for the property.
    1Reply
    • Parker Davis
      OP
      Homeowner 路 Taylorsville, UT 路 Member since 2025 路 15 posts 路 10 votes
      6mo

      @Richard F. we do plan to live on one side. Okay I'll look more into those laws, thank you 

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  • Richard F.
    Honolulu, HI 路 Member since 2008 路 3k+ posts 路 2k+ votes
    6mo
    Local LL/Tenant laws, and Federal Fair Housing (which may differ from local) would be key starting points. 

    It still matters how you want to proceed...if you are moving into a vacant side, or need to move someone out first, is important. Or, if you move in one side, and renovate the other, vacant side. You need to full background check and a new Rental Agreement under your terms and conditions as soon as lawfully possible, for any existing Tenants. Or give proper Notice of Non-Renewal to start getting them out.

    You need a thorough visual inspection of every room, closet, storage area, attic, basement, crawlspace, and exterior including roof. If you don't know what "Bad" looks like, accompany someone that does. You need to know that you have safe, fully functional, reasonably clean spaces, for your family and the current or proposed Tenants. Plumbing (supply and waste lines), Electrical, any auxiliary systems such as pumps, alarms, water heaters, HVAC, all need to be evaluated to some extent so you know what you are working with.

    "Ultimately you need to establish good systems for every aspect of Rental Management. "System" is defined as a series of repeatable steps to accomplish a major task with a clear beginning and a defined end. Rental Prep, Routine whole unit inspections, Rental Application processing, Marketing/Showing of vacant units, are all "processes" to develop, among others. Without processes, you start at zero with every task...it's new, and you perform differently every time. With a process, you improve quality and speed. 
    1Reply
  • Logan McKay Zylstra
    Realtor 路 Provo, UT 路 Member since 2020 路 374 posts 路 270 votes
    6mo

    Parker! I've house-hacked 4 times now. Happy to answer any specific questions you might have!

    1Reply
  • Nicholas L.Pro Member
    Flipper/Rehabber 路 Pittsburgh 路 Member since 2018 路 6k+ posts 路 5k+ votes
    6mo

    @Parker Davis

    find other local investors

    copy what they are doing

    good luck

    1Reply
  • Logan M.
    Investor 路 Provo, UT 路 Member since 2016 路 759 posts 路 626 votes
    6mo

    Hey Parker, I have been doing this for over ten years now with about 200 rental units. I self-manage the whole thing. Utah is a great state for rentals. Let me know what questions you have, and I can try to point you in the right direction.

    1Reply
  • Logan McKay Zylstra
    Realtor 路 Provo, UT 路 Member since 2020 路 374 posts 路 270 votes
    6mo

    @Logan M. That's awesome man. You grew your door count quickly. Are all of your units in Utah?

    0Reply
  • Logan M.
    Investor 路 Provo, UT 路 Member since 2016 路 759 posts 路 626 votes
    6mo

    All of them but one of my manufactured home communities is in West Wendover.

    1Reply
  • Patrick O'SullivanBusiness Member
    Property Manager 路 Phoenix, AZ 路 Member since 2024 路 525 posts 路 197 votes
    6mo

    Hi @Parker Davis,

    Since you plan to live in one side of your duplex, house hacking is a great way to get started as a first-time landlord. The most important things are to understand the local and federal landlord-tenant laws, including Fair Housing rules, and to have a clear plan for how you will manage the unit you live in versus the rental side. Before moving in, do a thorough inspection of every area, including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roof, and any auxiliary systems, so you know the condition of the property. Establish clear processes for rental management tasks such as tenant screening, rental agreements, marketing, showings, and routine inspections. Having repeatable systems in place will make managing the property much smoother and help prevent mistakes. Start small, take notes, and don鈥檛 hesitate to reach out to experienced local investors or house hackers to learn what works in your market.

    [email protected]480-795-7938
    get MULTIfamily Property Management4.7220 Reviews
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