All Forum Posts by: Carolyn Keller

Oh lord another clammity by my pm. Tenant moved in. I was told they had no pets. now a week later they are asking the rules for getting a dog. Now I did say in the ad pets allowed for extra fee etc. But the signed lease I think does not have a pet rider. BC they don't have one yet. PM is saying my asking 300 security and 50$ a month is changing lease have to abide by their policy which is $450 security (refundable) and nothing extra per mth. I asked for copy of lease with the pet detail. I think tenants are changing terms of lease therefore as the owner I can say what the terms are. Is that true, any insight appreciated!

sry no should be, have handyman etc in the area. Would never contact tenant directly only if I switch pm , by mail. I've never been arm chair since closing, but the PM has done a horrific job (see my other post, pm let tenant move in 7 days before lease started and first month hadnt bern paid, only sec.) And once I mentioned home warranty and they couldn't use their guy ..they don't have time for me, as much. I think I will switch to a real estate broker next year. Your right manage from far away just too hard.re brokers are no nonsense. If tenant stays not much to do except maintain.

I backup my photos on that, does it do other stuff?

thank everyone for their great responses! It was a stressful time. In the end reached out to rpm HQ in Utah and PM rebuttled by timeline spreadsheet with conclusion on items pending also pm got full week pro rated rent, and the money for utilities used. Phew! As this all was taking place pm tells me he's going full time soon and won't have as much time for very small items I want done around house, like changing out mailbox. So I'm really thinking I've been through so much and its my first investment, once lease is up if tenant wants to stay, I'm looking into managing everything myself. Fly out once a year for inspection, or could send my sis out in 6 mths. I've really done a pm's job mostly since I signed with them . any thoughts? Should I keep paying them into year two?

hi:

Is there an app or software that allows tenats to send a message to landlord and file a problem or need at the property? Or any ideas for managing a property yourself from another state.  I already gave handyman and other connections in the area, and have a home warranty that covers pipes, furnace, etc. Just need something for tenant relations and how to do inspections? Could fly out once a year if I had to. (If you already have a tenant)

Thanks!

You guys are right.. I'm now trying to reach a district manager at real property mgmt in Pittsburgh. Since they are a franchise, might be difficult. Makes me angry every time I think about it.

His thinking in doing this was to create goid will and tenant would pay rent on time. Pfft i would request a new pm but cannot find the chief person over there. Does warrant removing from my property, but techinically lease is signed and we have first month security deposit accd. To my contract i would have to pay the remainder of their fees for the next 11 months. so seems I'm stuck. Once year is up.. Buh bye. Good to know I should be as involved as I am, maybe a tad more. I freaked out on the pm when this happened at 6am, woke him up. Hopefully he gets now where I'm coming from and I asked for a copy of the lease w the pro rated amt. That's been signed. We will see if I get that.

Unknown to me, property manager said ok to tenant to move some larger furniture in 5 days before start of signed lease. I found out when house alarm went off at 2, 3 or 6 am. Tenant moved stuff in, had keys, and decided to sleep there. No utilities in their name, no first months rent yet. I hear tenants asking to move in early is common. PM getting pro-rated rent for actually, 7 days, and utilities switched already, early. and at some point ill be reimbursed for the days of utilities they used. (after a few angry emails)

But my question really is, by PM saying this so early on, could misunderstandings with tenant continue? Does this set the tone so to speak? and really as an owner what is the best practice when dealing with the PM's? I find if i don't call them for a week or so, they are not calling me. Then when i do call oh by the way, a pipe under porch burst, and oh there's a gas leak from stove.  (1 week later) finally i had to call a licensed plumber for the gas leak under my home warranty and PM re-connected pipe that was leaking. I thought having a PM would mean hands-off, apparently not the case.  Any general advice, would be really appreciated!

I left some of my staging items in the house. Like shower curtain and rod, candles and decorations on counter from dollar store. Also metal dish rack that came with the house. If i were in a market that got me a tenant paying above the area averages, might consider something special. Honestly my tenants are getting a professional property manager at their disposal, and all the perks of my house. Like attic storage, a shed, one acre of property, walking distance to a small park, wrap around porch. The house, compared to others in the area is the welcoming gift. :-)