All Forum Posts by: Andrea M.

If the tenant has been paying on time and hasn't been a problem since you acquired the property, I would amend the 60 days notice to include the new date reflecting the agreed date and send it to him, and of course continue to charge him rent. I would also let him know that the rent will be increased when the unit has been rehabbed/renovated.

Yes, I have but not successful, too many demands and not enough money..LOL

I would start the eviction process, send her the required pay or quit for your state if you can afford to support her family as she is not .

In the introductory letter request an appointment to meet with them face to face, it gives you a chance to meet and build a rapport with the tenant. I would also document in the introductory letter of the rent increase, this way the tenant is aware prior to meeting with you and when you get there the you can explain the reasons for the rent increase, and it will also give the tenant time to consider and decide on whether they are ok with the rent increase and possibly sign a new lease with you.

Is this tenant moving out early and breaking the current lease or is she on month to month?

If she is breaking her lease even with your approval, I wouldn't prorate the rent on the move out.

I would assume that if you have no documentation regarding the condition of the property when she moved in, it would be difficult to charge/deduct for any damages. However common sense would tell me that she wouldn't of moved in with smelly carpets. It may be something in the lease that states she agrees that everything is clean and in working order.

It may be easier to just cut your losses let her move out and do the repairs and get a new tenant in which you can have all your paperwork in order for the new tenant.

@Hernan B. Initially you may want to do an basic cleaning (get rid of trash, clean all windows and sills, bathroom & kitchen & cabinets, flooring and maybe even sweep down walls for dust build up and possible spider webs) so it's not overwhelming, then you can better assess and create your strategy. I typically work from top to bottom, repair/replace sheetrock, patch any/all holes, paint (including replacing/painting cabinets then install new countertops/vanity) then flooring, then clean again after everything is done to make it shine.

Are the appliance broken or just old and dirty? I ask that question because in the past, I have cleaned all the appliances myself, if it needs sprucing up, I use appliance paint (which give it the "new look") A good commercial cleaner/degreaser from home depot/Lowes/family dollar usually does the trick to get rid of grease build up in the kitchen area. I would also shop around in my local Lowes/Home Depot for materials to get idea of the pricing for the materials that you would need and a local handy man can usually get those things done for you which is typically less than a general contractor.

@William Petrisko I find if not all, most of my tenants from craigslist, for rent signs, or even the section 8 list, which I add/remove properties as needed or word of mouth from my current tenants. If my current tenant refers someone who signs a lease and leaves deposit, the current tenant get $50.00 of the following months rents. In the past, I have offered $100 off security deposit.

I think it's more of the mind frame of such low end tenants, who may have bad credit, no credit and mostly can't afford to apply with such limited income and be denied, so maybe even waive the application fee.

My mind frame when it comes to marketing a property for rent, is such that the competition (apartment complexes) offers all types of discounts which usually a private owner/landlord can offer similar discounts to attract the tenants.

since she didn't sign the lease, by default she may be on a month to month, which would be based on your local/state tenancy law. I would tell her as soon as possible of your intentions to move into your own place, so she can make some informed decisions about her living arrangements. If she decides to move out since she has lost her job, she should give her 30 days notice in writing and keep a copy for herself, in the event the apartment complex decides to sue her .Is it an option for her to move in with you guys? At least until she can get another job?

I have had that with a tenant before and met with the tenant to review the bill. Turns out the actual bill was about $150.00, however all the taxes, and her deposit required by the utility company is what increased the bill to over $400.00.

@Andrew M. Although I am not sure as to why her family is supposed to move her into a nursing home outside of her age, she may have some kind of physical or mental disability and they are a protected class under the Fair Housing Act of 1968, so I would proceed with caution regarding the eviction and even consult with an Attorney