Rental house with no maintenance?

Question

My wife and I are renting a small house (it is literally a built up beach bungalow). "Two" bedrooms (one which would not even hold a queen size bed it is so small). They want to charge 2000$ a month, which is around average for a full 2BR apartment in the area.

However, that does NOT include utilities (which most in the area do) and they expect us to do ALL the maintenance on the house (from painting and molding to having the chimney rebuilt to replacing the roof and everything in between).

I would say this is HIGHLY unfair, expecting us to pay full and normal rent, but expecting us to pay all the utilities AND all the maintenance and upkeep as if it were our own house.

It seems to me if they do not want to be involved with the property, and do not want to perform their "landlordly" duties, the rent should be steeply discounted... but I have no idea how much. Can anyone provide me with starting points as to how to figure what would be a reasonable rent to pay on a property where you are expected to take on all the responsibility of the property as if it were your own?

Thanks in advance, 
Aaron.

Jon Holdman · Answer

Find a different place to rent.  This landlord is looking for a sucker.

Fran Flanagan · Answer

Find a different place to rent.

My relationship with my inlaws deteriorated significantly when my father in law begged to be our realtor.  Trying to preserve family harmony, we gave him a try even though he had 2 deals' experience at that time.  He had previously given his wife's cousin a 70% rebate on his commission and promised us the same.  Once he got a whiff that my and my wife's income was higher than he previously knew, he smelled money... reneged on the verbal agreement and tried to trick us into signing a broker agreement authorizing him to collect full commission.

We switched realtors and tried to let it go, but in his mind we wronged him somehow and he thinks we're greedy.  The initial unpleasantness that would likely have come from us never giving him a chance would likely be better than the current situaiton of not speaking to one another.

So what Jon said: rent somewhere else.

Jon Holdman · Answer

I think I'll repeat my previous advice.  Find a different place to rent.  This landlord is looking for a sucker.   They want you to pay above market ($2000 + utilities vs. $2000 utilities included) AND take on serious maintenance.  Effectively, they want you to pay a premium to live in their property.  Their expectations are out of line with the market.  Assuming you can actually find an alternative to rent (not just data from zillow), simply show them the alternative and say "I can pay $2000 for this, utilties are included and the landlord maintains it (as a landlord should.)  Why do I pay the same to you and take on these extra cost?"  Now, perhaps that's the only way to keep peace in the family.  In which case the extra costs are just your price for being part of the family.

George P. · Answer

there is a difference between renting an appt and renting a house. houses are more expensive.

also, sounds like you dont have the best relationship with the inlaws. a sure way to ruin it further is to become their tenants. i'd run away from this "offer". far away.

Bill Robinson · Answer

Sounds like you are being asked to overpay on rent as well as take on most of the negatives of home ownership without the benefit.

Rick L. · Answer

I wouldn't even ask for a discount on rent.  The landlord should be responsible for large maintenance repairs like that.  What's a couple hundred dollars off rent per month if the place needs a new roof or new chimney.  You might as well buy your own place if you want those responsibilities.

I tell them to shove it!

JD Martin · Answer

Well, this is a very weird thread. The family is airing it out here?

I think the OP makes no sense. If the terms seem unfair, rent somewhere else. He hasn't even rented the place yet, so I don't really know what is the issue - just go elsewhere. Pretty simple, really.

But this does illustrate why you should not mix family/friends and business.

Stephen Haynes · Answer

Don't Rent from Family Just Like don't work with Family. Your In-laws suck!

George P. · Answer

lol lol..  something tells me Aaron won't he invited to this years thanksgiving dinner..  lol

Ben Hughes · Answer

Run, very quickly away from this.  There is only one result that will come of this and it won't be pretty.

Rental house with no maintenance?

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