Educating your tenants - where do you draw the line

[David K.]

I am about to become a first time landlord, on June 1...

Til now, in my very short investing experience, I have only dealt with PM's and never directly with tenants. But I am willing to give it a try bc the place is a condo and so many big maintenance items are HOA's headache and not mine, plus the place is relatively close to me (NJ) unlike others...

Having said that, I am reading through blogs here and becoming concerned..I want a long-term relationship with my tenants obviously and hope it works out but as long as it is mutually respectful!

The condo is fully rehabbed and so I do not anticipate any big issues. Is there a reasonable way to "educate" your tenants that changing light bulbs is their responsibility and also any issues caused by the tenants themselves are their responsibility as well? 

Second Question - I added to the lease that tenant is to pay "late" fee if the rent is not paid within the first 5 days of the month. How can I enforce the rule? Another words, tenant may simply ignore me and continue paying late but, as long as they pay I would not evict them obviously...

[Thomas S.]

"as long as they pay I would not evict them obviously..."

When a tenant is OK paying a late fee and a landlord is not prepared to evict for repeated late payment there is absolutely no way to stop them from paying late.

When a landlord is not prepared to evict this is a signal to their tenant that rent is due when they choose provided they pay the fee..