How to discover more people living in unit

Question

Jim K. · Answer

@Sergio Aguinaga

Find out, Sergio. Maybe there's some ordinance in Detroit against it. But having visible security cameras outside your rental property watching the doors and being monitored by the owner for security purposes is legal as legal can be where I am.

I can also most definitely tell you it's legal according to Michigan law. Look up Act 328 of the Michigan Penal Code. It took me twenty seconds to find this online. The fact that you obviously couldn't be bothered to even try to check before writing a lackadaisical response to my post does not speak highly about your future success in finding a workable solution to your problem. The two speeds "stop" and "slow" ain't gonna cut it in this business, Sergio. Find another gear.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Check with an attorney but I believe it is completely legal for you to place security cameras on the property to monitor common areas. Get a security camera that monitors the front and back entrances and operates via WiFi. Set up WiFi in the home so you own the service. Use a wireless router that has a secure network for you and a guest network for tenants and provide it as an included utility.

Another option is to place trail cams on the front/back entrances. Trail cams are usually motion activated so they only take pictures/video when something is on the screen. The images/video records to a memory card so you have to go to the unit, take it down, and review the pictures manually.

In either case, I would notify the tenants - in writing - that you are installing the cameras and make them acknowledge your notice so they can't complain later.

Shawn Coverdell · Answer

Don't let your tenants know you are the owner. I am just maintenance, mowing the lawn, filling in for Pedro. "cute dog, how old is he, where did you find this little cutie." ……………

Then, if in Washington, have your PM deliver a 20 day no cause notice to vacate.

If your place is nice, there are plenty of non-scammer/non-entitled folks who would love to make it there new home.

Go with your gut, you already know they are lying to you. Boot and Reboot.

If you are self managing, change that, or sell it to me.

Terre B. · Answer

Start of what?

Unless the house is brand new, there should be a history of the water bill.  If this group of tenants moved in 5 years ago, compare the gallonage of water used  with what was used before they arrived.  Water companies will go back further.  The USGS estimates that the average person uses 80 - 100 gallons of water per day.  Granted, they never met my teenage daughters when provided with a 100 gallon hot water heater...

Terre B. · Answer

I'd contact the water company, and do some comparison of water usage for the same times over several years...

More people = more flushes, more showers, more everything.

Will G. · Answer

GOOD QUESTION! anxious to see if someone has a surefire way to tell. What if you inform tenants that your insurance co requires all persons residing there to list make and model of  their cars. That way you know what vehicles are supposed to be there and can do drive by's to check. Or ask a neighbor to keep an eye out?

How to discover more people living in unit

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