Renters top three complaints?

Question

Hello all,

I am interested to receive feedback on what you feel are the most common complaints that you hear from renters (whether they are yours or just people you may have met).  I would also be interested to hear how you would classify your target tenant (i.e. are you in section 8, war zones, high end, college housing, senior living) to get a feel for what types of things different people will complain about.  Could be anything?  (yard too big/small, noise/ old appliances/lack of upkeep/high upfront deposits/no pets allowed, etc.)

I am trying to think of creative ways to market a rental beyond the basic marketing that most of us are doing.  Ultimately, this could help each one of us to develop our own unique selling proposition based upon our unique scenario/location/target market.  All feedback is appreciated.

Thanks

jeff

Mark Updegraff · Answer

For an added twist.  
Here are some complaints I get about properties I am trying to rent (from those who pass on them and I inquire why)

lack of off-street parking
bed rooms too small
stair case upstairs too narrow
appliances too old
Closets not big enough
Only one bath

Mark N.A · Answer

Amusing question.

My blue-collar and low-income tenants generally don't complain -- and sometimes I wish they would when there's a maintenance issue.

But my college renters!.......   Ah, the 'entitled set'.  They want everything to be newer, better, faster and shinier than they had it at home;  and that list is only limited by their imaginations.  And after they finish asking me and I say no, they enlist their parents to try.  Double the fun!

Account Closed · Answer

My tenants don't do much complaining, except to call me for needed repairs (which I don't consider to be complaining).

The applicants who come through often complain about the high cost of application fees, and I've heard lots of complaints about high pet fees. My application and pet fees appear to be about 1/2 of what everyone else is charging.

I occasionally hear complaints that management companies won't respond to requests for repairs. I have no way to judge whether those are valid complaints or not.

When the market was tight, I'd hear complaints that other rentals weren't clean or in good repair. But now with lots of vacancies and not many good tenants, I no longer hear about dirty rentals. I assume that the landlords have cleaned up, trying to obtain a tenant.

Everybody, landlords, tenants, and homeowners, are all complaining about the way that electric costs are going up.  Ditto for the cost of groceries. I can't see anyway for a landlord to fix that problem.

Ana Hyler · Answer

I get complaints from my MF...and they are noise and smoking (although no smoking inside - some don"t abide by the rule). I have no complaints from my SFR and never had a complaint about rent. About noise complaint....I tell them to call the police as the city has a 24hr noise ordinance in place.

Account Closed · Answer

Sorry, I ws unclear. No one has complained about my $20 application fee. They complain to me about the $40 fee charged by other landlords and rental agencies.

That's $80 or more for a family every time they apply for a place. I can see how that adds up fast for a moderate income family.

I have my rental criteria in writing for applicants to see before they hand their money over. That way they can discuss issues with me and save their money if it is clear that they have problems that are going to get them rejected (I wouldn't, except it is Oregon state law)

Account Closed · Answer

Jeff, I charge $20 application fee per adult.  It costs me $21.95 to run credit and criminal, and about 2 hours of work per application to process them.  I have to drive to the courthouse to do an eviction check.

Most places are charging $40 per adult on the application fee. I figure that is about their cost.

I get a $300 pet fee, total. Other places are getting as much as $500 per pet. I used to make it refundable after a year, but have dropped that, It's just non-refundable now.

I also take large dogs and most landlords don't. I'd rather have a Labrador retriever or a St Bernard in my rental than a Chihuahua.

My houses have good fences. People with dogs and small children are looking for safe fences.

Steve Babiak · Answer

PNW - one of these days I hope you'd be willing to share that 5 pages of rental criteria.  There is a new Beta feature at BP that will allow for this to be posted in it's doc (or PDF or whatever) form.  I can make that happen if you are willing ...

Account Closed · Answer

Wow.  They are complaining about a $20 application fee?  that is the lowest I've seen.

I agree with the dogs.  the only  ones I won't take are the vicious breeds.  personally, they don't bother me, but I don't want the neighbors  to hate me or have the liability of Pit Bulls in the yard, regardless of the quality of the fence.

Jeff

Rich Lee · Answer

Two Family:
- Renters generally don't complain.  I screen them myself so maybe I'm screening out all the complainers!

48 Unit Multi-Family
- Complaints about kids (& other riff raff) hanging out the in halls, being noisy.
- Complaints about big pets that scare childrens' moms.

Account Closed · Answer

Thanks, PNW.

Good points, as well. I agree with you, calling for needed repairs should not be considered a complaint.  slow and delayed repairs from management companies is very valid.

Just curious as to what you are charging for pet fees and application fees?

Jeff

Renters top three complaints?

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