Is it possible to be an undisclosed landlord?

Question

I'm sure someone has asked this before. If I'm house hacking, and decide to use property management, is it a viable solution to not letting the tenant know that I'm the owner? I want to direct all property related issues to property manager and "pretend" to be the tenant. Any thoughts?

Filipe Pereira · Answer

Yes, absolutely. Just realize that anyone with an internet connection can pretty much figure out who owns a specific piece of property, even when it's in a LLC. Trusts might make it a bit more difficult to discover who the owner is, but I wouldn't say it's worth the effort or cost to set up a trust for this situation.

Is your concern that you will be bothered by other tenants?

Filipe

Rich N. · Answer

I do not come out and say that I am the owner.  But do not deny it once anyone asks.

I tell them that their are other owners so when making decisions....you need to discuss it with them.

If they ask about fixes and stuff, just tell them to contact the prop mgmt. folks.  Say it nicely and right off the bat.....so they get use to it.  If they ask why, you just saying its better for tracking, response, etc.

Rocky V. · Answer

@Dennis Li This is what I practice.  I use land trusts to hide owner information from public view.  Not sure on another posters comment but it cost about $20 to file deed.   The majority of tenants know me as "maintenance guy"  because all issues go to me then I direct to appropriate sub.  I just don't want people easily knowing my business or assets.

Filipe Pereira · Answer

I hear you man...I bought my first 4 plex in a B-/C+ neighborhood at the ripe old age of 23....Every tenant was older than me, and I'm sure some thought I was just some young white kid born with a silver spoon in my mouth.

I toyed with the idea of introducing myself as "the property manager" rather than "the owner" but at the end of the day, I wanted them to know that the buck stops with me. None of this "well the owner said this that or the other". There is some weight in being able to say "hey, I make the rules around here, and have the final word". I came off as firm but polite from the beginning. Yes, I did get some riff raff, but it eventually died down. Just as a side note, I always speak in "we" and "us" terms when speaking with tenants or prospective tenants. It gives the impression that I am bigger than just a 1 man show, and that there are others who will back me up with any decisions. Not sure it works, but in my small mind it makes sense! Filipe

Dennis Li · Answer

Oh that's right! Well, there is a few reasons I want to stay anonymous: 1. Not to deal with day-to-day issue: if the tenants know that I'm the landlord, they may come directly to me. 2. I'm renting out a A-B type property I own and move to a C ish area so I don't want the tenants to feel I "have money" to create hostile environment when I'm trying to raise rent etc. 3. The tenants won't try to behave better in front of me, instead, I'll have a good idea of who are the good/ bad tenants. If someone is doing damage to the property I can immediately let the property manager taking care of it rather than creating headaches myself.

At the end of the day, since I'm working full time, I really just try to minimize any time spent on the property. Do any of you house hackers still use management company? is it easier since you will have a first hand view of how they are handling the business?

Appreciate the input!

Is it possible to be an undisclosed landlord?

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