All Forum Posts by: Brendon Woirhaye

We are landlords in California.  The subject property is a 6 unit (duplex plus fourplex).

About 10 months ago, one of our tenants had problems with roaches.  We distributed a letter to all tenants in the building about roach behavior and control, and had their place sprayed.  Things seemed to be solved.

A couple months ago, we did an inspection and found that they once again had roaches, and that they were feeding the little buggers (dirty dishes on the countertops, overflowing garbage, living in their refrigerator, eating dinner on the living room couch, not mopping up spills).

We have sent them a letter telling them that they need to clean things up, and to work with the on-site manager to set up a time to admit the exterminator.  They are refusing the exterminator, claiming that their child became ill (months later) from the last spraying.

We are concerned that:

a: the roaches will spread to other units

b: the tenants may claim retaliation if we give them a 60 day notice

Any advice from the community?

I have purchased 18 units over the last 5 years, exclusively in Whittier.  The return on down payment (not counting any appreciation or depreciation) ranged from 6.6% to 11.9% last year (including maintenance and repairs, with the caveat that I didn't replace any whole building plumbing or electrical or roofs).  Although this is lower than in some areas of the country where property is cheaper, it is clear to me that there are still effective investments to be made in Southern California for those who want to operate locally.

Keep your eyes open, do your calculations carefully.

Welcome to Bigger Pockets!  

Check out the Whittier Apartment Owners Association which meets every few months.  You may find some good contacts and opportunities there.

You may need to change your craigslist account, email address, phone number, website..

Best to follow craigslist policies and not overpost, that's a good way to get your posts flagged and the ghosted.

For a good below-market tenant, we raise the rent by ~5% per year to get it closer to market (as long as rents are raising lower than that). 

I will allow them to move in a few days early, paying a per diem.  I don't want them entering the property or storing things there if they are not officially renting the unit - and paying rent.

I have allowed someone to store some items in the garage before, but I prefer not to.

Make sure she is really living there and not using the place as illicit storage.  If she is and is a good tenant consider it a bonus.

I have sometimes  rented places with an extra charge for the garage (in the case where I wouldn't otherwise mind keeping it for my own use).  My tenants almost always pay more for them.  Rent them independently if you can get a good rent for them.

A tenant will likely be able to find out who owns the property.  I agree with Joe in just being honest and straightforward.

I used to have tenants send rent to my home address, but as my business has grown I no longer do that.  I use a post office box, or let them pay online.

I am an investor/operator in Whittier, CA, about 20 miles east of Los Angeles. I work full time in technology, but have real estate in my blood - my father, old brother, and grandmother are (or were) skilled rental operators.

My wife and I manage our portfolio of 18 rentals, mostly duplexes but one 4 unit and one 6. We've acquired these over the last 5 years. We prefer to build our business in our own back yard where we know the neighborhoods.

My children are put to work doing cleanup and renovation, learning the skills of the trade.