inherited a tenant from a judicial sale purchase!

inherited a tenant from a judicial sale purchase!

Mark DavisPro Member
Phoenixville, PA · Member since 2016 · 36 posts · 5 votes

My brother and i purchased a house at a judicial sale in Chester County.

the house has 3 units in it.   we had visited the house several times prior to the sale, knocking on the doors with no response.

after the sale, i visited it a couple more times, we did not change any locks yet because the house was secure and appeared in good shape.

much to our surprise, this weekend, while we were getting ready to change the locks, a spry but elderly gentleman presented himself and asked what we were doing...  turns out he was a tenant of 11 years in one of the units!..   he invited us in and it turns out that he kept a very clean place no big issues.

now, while we did intend to rent the units...   we did not anticipate doing so so quickly.

this is in Coatesville pa...  Chester County

any suggestions on 

1. a lease template

2. getting a "landlord license" for Coatesville... i believe one is required.

3. collecting rents/transfer of lease

4. any other pitfalls that we may not even know we don't know

TIA

mark

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Residential Real Estate Broker · Gap, PA · Member since 2016 · 14 posts · 5 votes
8y

Mark, you will need a rental license. ($25) and a rental inspection at every turnover. ($66). I think you should just sign a new lease, photo copy ID. Make sure you specify that they are to pay rent, you do not collect rent. You do not what to get into the habit of driving to Coatesville just to collect your rent. Join the Coatesville Housing Association. 

Joe

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  • Residential Real Estate Broker · Gap, PA · Member since 2016 · 14 posts · 5 votes
    8y

    Mark, you will need a rental license. ($25) and a rental inspection at every turnover. ($66). I think you should just sign a new lease, photo copy ID. Make sure you specify that they are to pay rent, you do not collect rent. You do not what to get into the habit of driving to Coatesville just to collect your rent. Join the Coatesville Housing Association. 

    Joe

  • Nottingham, PA · Member since 2017 · 11 posts · 4 votes
    8y

    Joseph Leofsky That's nice to know< I have been thinking about buying a multi unit in Coatesville

    PA, I had no idea I would need a license. Where can you find such information form different cites?

  • Residential Real Estate Broker · Gap, PA · Member since 2016 · 14 posts · 5 votes
    8y

    Amos, some municipalities will require a rental license other a rental inspection, some both. Call the codes dept and they should be able to help you out.

  • Mark DavisPro Member
    OP
    Phoenixville, PA · Member since 2016 · 36 posts · 5 votes
    8y

    @Joseph Leofsky thank you so much for the advice. 

    And the nuance of paying vs collecting 

    There are numerous standard PA lease agreements. Is there anything special I should make sure is included. 

  • Residential Real Estate Broker · Gap, PA · Member since 2016 · 14 posts · 5 votes
    8y

    Mark, we use the PAR lease. It covers all the points that need covered and is updated regularly. We also use our own Rules and Regs that we go into more detail on. Plumbing issues, oil heat and who is responsible if they let the tank run dry, batteries in smoke and CO detectors....

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