All Forum Posts by: Brendon Woirhaye

There are lots of eager realtors out there who would be happy to help you with your business.

As @Cameron Norfleet suggested, call a previous landlord too.  We call both current and one previous, if it hasn't been too many years.

A couple questions in our question bank I missed:

What damage has the tenant or guest caused to the property?

How many individuals are living there?  Has anyone moved in who wasn't on the lease?

Was proper notice given when the tenant moved out?

Do you have a security deposit, or is your last month what you'd take any deductions out of?

I'd avoid refunding it if there is no security deposit.  You might be surprised at what you find when they move out.

Are you required by your state to keep security deposits in cash?  If so, you might opt for the higher interest rate.  Otherwise I would avoid holding more cash than you need to sustain your operations.

I count them as part of my general overhead, and accrue them against the property specifically if I buy it.  

It sounds like a pattern of behavior, and the landlord/PM is abusing pet owners to cover their carpet costs.  I would take careful notes of how the story changed and send a formal demand for the return of your security deposit - I'd fight it for justice, but there isn't shame in backing away (and not giving them any more money) if you're not up to the fight.

I am with @Arlan Potter on this - OdorXit is my recommendation.  

There is a product called OdorXit AQM which I used successfully in a unit which was very badly assaulted with pet urine.  It takes a couple days to act.

Rent control needs to be fought at every step - the state, the county, the city.  

Look, tenants love the sound of rent control because they think rents are high and they are - the cost of living is high, particularly in desirable areas.  Rent control sounds like a good solution, but tenants don't get that it isn't just benefit for them / cost by landlord - in the long run, it reduces their quality of housing, choice of housing, and mobility.  New renters get the short straw, because availability gets tighter and tighter.

Please do more than just voting no on 10.  Educate others you know, educate your tenants.

Our application has a statement the applicant signs giving us permission to speak with employers, landlords, etc. regarding pertinent details.

We avoid leading questions.  "Was the tenant a good tenant?" or "They paid on time, right?" are out.

We'll ask questions about the property, to make sure the tenant isn't just giving us a buddy's phone # to pose as the landlord.  We'll independently source the phone # if its listed as a property management company.

We will ask what the tenant currently pays in rent.

How long the tenant has resided there.

Have there been any complaints against the tenant, their relatives, or guests.

What violations of the lease or rental agreement has the tenant done?

What notices has the tenant been served?

How many times has the tenant paid late?

Based on your experience, would you rent to this tenant again in the future?

Was any legal action taken against the tenant?

What percentage of their security deposit was returned?

.. and some others of that ilk.  We don't get firm answers on all questions usually.