All Forum Posts by: Beth L.

@Kristen T. Can tenants put water and sewer in their name in your area? Here the water and sewer MUST stay in the name of the owner. So I figure an average cost and figured that into the cost of the rent, instead of forwarding them the bill.

Definitely DOWN! I don't like to see an open toilet. Tenants open the fridge, cabinets, etc., so if they want to open the toilet for a look, then they will.

@MONICA WATSON Perhaps you can provide a plumber to modify the water connections and drain, and she can get a new stackable set. You rented the unit to her with laundry "hook-ups", so I don't think that you should purchase a stackable for the unit, just make the hook-ups workable. Moving a wall, especially since she is already moved in, is a big deal.

@Sam Leon I had this same issue with one of my tenants. The boyfriend was there about half the time. I had negotiated the rent based on the fact that it would be just her and her daughter, now the boyfriend is there a lot, using the water that I have to pay for, and he was even there when she wasn't.

I confronted her about it at renewal time and told her that I would need to screen him and add him to the lease. They did NOT want him added to the lease. I told her that I was willing to add him as a temporary guest so that he would not be liable on the lease, but I still needed to screen him. I HAVE to know who is in my units at all times. An occasional overnight guest is fine, but this was constant. They ultimately decided to move out. Something didn't smell right there... I think that they were trying to hide something.

Despite what their current lease says, I would inform the daughter that since the boyfriend is living there part-time that he will need to be screened and added to the lease. I would also think about changing the wording in your lease, if you feel that tenants could take advantage of it. My lease says no guests can stay more than 14 days out of a six month period.

I know that if you have inherited tenants, that you are bound by the lease of the previous owner, but I wonder if you can add to it? As landlords, we can make addendums to leases, so can we do that with inherited leases? Anyone have any insight into that?

You can also do an open house. Make cookies ahead of time (and yes, you can write off the expense of those :-)  ) Plus do all the things mentioned above. Have some applications ready to hand out. Put out some balloons out front.

@Fabio Secaira  purchase prices between $140K -- $160K, but those needed work and we put much more $ into them. We are happy with a cash on cash return of 8-10% so we only look at deals where the numbers will work. I know that you can get duplexes downtown for much less, but I don't want to buy there. I wouldn't feel safe showing those units by myself, and I wouldn't want the drama those kinds of tenants bring. Yes, I do self-manage.

Hi @David Tolson ! Welcome to BP. I am from Hagerstown, too! I can't speak for everyone, but my investment focus is on buy & hold duplexes outside of city limits, in desirable areas.

@Dick Rosen 

 I agree with the solid core doors. I am renovating a duplex and we decided to go with the solid doors since we are trying to attract nicer tenants and making upgrades where we feel that we can. They feel nicer to open and close, they don't cost much more, and they really help with the sound (who wants to hear others going to the bathroom?). They are really heavy, but worth it in the end, I think.

Also you can save a little money by getting the hollow core doors for the hall closets or other doors where sound is not an issue.

You would have to pay rent to the LLC.

@Rahdia Green  I'm in Hagerstown. I could at least let you know what kind of area the property is in. I was born and raised in Hagerstown, so I have a pretty good feel for it. If you'd prefer to have eyes on the property, I could recommend a local real estate agent that could take an initial look at the place for you. I'm sure he would also be willing take pics and report back.