All Forum Posts by: Christen G.

Congrats! Hang around these forums a bit and keep reading/learning what others are doing to systematize and what current best products/practices are, there's a wealth of information here. I think BP also offers current state by state leases, too. I use Apartments.com for management, listings, screenings and for the tenant maintenance portal. It's straight forward and intuitive and it gets it done. I doubt you'll need something more comprehensive for 2 units. I think they offer leases, but Ive never used theirs. Best of luck.

If they're good tenants and you want to keep them, then do that.
But first know the legalities of raising rent in your city. Then thank them for being good tenants, know/determine the market rent and if they are under that number, tell them you'd like to continue to offer them tenancy at a modest 2% increase. If having a bong is breaking a term in their lease and you'd like to push that issue, that's on you - weed doenst bother me. Her maybe not living there could be a red flag - but again, if they're good tenants - do you want to push it? Perhaps when you re-lease you can ask for names of all of the adults who will be living in the house and on the lease. Keep good communication with them and hope they stay taking care of the place for a long time. Good luck!

@Vincent Plant start eviction/notices and not Rene their lease.

 I agree with this completely. And I'd add that you need to clock that these tenants are hard on the property. It's ok to let them know: technically this is your responsibility and your fault - same as the TP holder, etc... I'll handle this now - take photos of EVERYTHING when you go in to fix it and put this all in their tenant file. From here, make sure your annual inspections are routine and regular. This could have been much worse.

The proper way is to get an attorney involved from the start.

You need to consult your local laws to see what the legal amount of time is and decide for yourself if that's "reasonable." Where I live it used to be 30 days - and I didn't think that was enough time for folks living month to month to pull funds together to save up, look for a place, get a deposit and 1st mo's together etc... so I always gave at least 60. Again - you need to consult (and know) your local laws very well if you want to be a successful, scrupulous property owner.

Are you my tenant? Lol - this LITERALLY just happened to me and instead of calling me the tenant tried to screw it back on with a bigger, longer screw - sending that screw through the front of the stove and creating a stabbing hazard. This was caught in my winter inspection.

I'm sorry this happened. This is not normal wear and tear. This is their negligence.

I thought this would be a fun exercise. I'll start: it was Seattle, Wa 2014 and it was $980 (flat, no utilities) for a 900sqft 1 bedroom in a desirable, hip neighborhood. Current rents in that building are now $1,500.

 this right here. no notes. 

I agree with @Evan Polaski - this really comes from your comfort level with your own ability to assess renovations - I'd add that it depends on your budget, too. In general, one will certainly help dial-in a more accurate budget.