All Forum Posts by: Andrea M.

I include the basic appliances in my rentals (stove & fridge). If a prior tenant leaves an appliance (washer/dryer) I leave it for the next tenant but I also include who will be responsible for repairs in the lease. I don't assume responsibility for them.

You can also sell them to the next tenant or someone else if you don't want them in the unit.

Personally, I think it's worth it, although you may have to have different rental guidelines criteria & safety precautions during & after rehab.

On vacation or  whenever I am out of town, I just check my messages/email (depending on how the tenants contact me)  like 2-3 times a day and contact my handyman to deal with any issues that may arise while I am on vacation. I also contact my tenant when I received the voicemail/text/email and let them know I am currently out of town & I will notify my handyman to look into the problem & a approx. time frame in which the handyman can be there. If it's an urgent situation that needs to be addressed immediately or that I have received their message and will look into it when I get back in town if it's not an urgent situation.

By law, although it may vary from state to state, you have a certain amount of time to fix issues, including major issues like plumbing/heating.   

I've been lucky to stumble across someone  locally who sells used appliances (fridge & stoves) mostly electric and he offers a 1 year warranty and delivers for free 99. LOL.

I would suggest putting something in your lease or an addendum/notice in that you include in your lease documents regarding negligence of use and who will be responsible for repairs/replacement and have tenant sign it.

In my area once you have been granted possession and all the additional paperwork has been filed . Sherriff  has 30 days to serve tenant (usually less) calls landlord/owner/property manager and notifies you of the day & time of eviction . Show up a bit early,  park a few doors down to avoid confrontation, wait for Sherriff. When Sherriff arrives enter premises to check for tenants & personal belongings & damage, change locks/secure the windows. If tenant still have personal belongings in the property they have an additional 24 hours to contact owner/property manager to retrieve items , after 24 hours all items must go on the curb.

You can screen a tenant from here to the end of time, if tenant falls on hard times/life events there is nothing you can do to prevent it, just be on top with your paperwork/documentation so you don't lose too much time or money.

There are so many because everyone has a different experience, try searching a keyword for previous discussions regarding Section 8 tenants pros/cons.

Personally, I wouldn't do the camera thing. I do a walk thru with the tenant on the day of signing the lease so the tenant sees everything is clean and in tenantable condition.

I tell them how to get in contact with me once they are moved in & settled if they notice any issues  that need to be addressed or documented so they are not liable for (deducted from security deposit)  once they move out or maintenance requests.

You may want to take pictures of the quirks/flaws you speak of for your records.

I prefer all electric for the rental properties, which minimizes the amounts of bills the tenants will have. Also for me, it's lessens the risks regarding gas leaks & things of that nature.

Not sure why you can't submit an offer on the other deal while you are under contract with the current deal unless financing both will be a problem.

If the second deal is put under your sisters name, she may have to submit her financing/credit/proof of funds for the deal .  I  also believe everything will have to go into her name in regards to title and things of that nature, which can probably be changed into your name (gift deed) after the deal closes.

Yes I would discuss with the upstairs tenant and follow up with a letter.

Since the downstairs tenant is moving out, if both units (upstairs & downstairs) are the same size ( number of bedrooms) I would consider having the upstairs tenant relocate/ transfer to the downstairs unit to try to prevent any issues with the new tenant.