All Forum Posts by: Christine Kankowski

Yes, have them deal with the move out of current tenant and deposit distribution.  THen take over after that , as long as you dont have a contract with them that says you can't cancel right now.

Whether the walk through is a week prior of the same day, the same situation can arise.   Lets say tehy complain of a spot on the carpet that won't come out.  You just let them know you have documented the stain and they won't be help responsible upon move out.  The home is not brand new, it won't be in brand new condition.  You can choose to fix or not fix the items, as long as it isn't a material item like a toilet, etc.  As an owner, make sure to document extensively the condition and any damage - give the list to the tenant and have them add to it, if needed- check that you agree to the addittions and hten move on.  Dont let them move in early, unless they pay the extra days rent. 

Also, during Covid, there is a huge liability asking people to view the home.  Tenants are within their rights to say no.  You will get triple the showings by waiting.  Buyers want a vacant home too during this crisis, since they dont know the health condition of the people living there. .  Best of luck with the sale!

If a company doesn't use us, we don't handle the management anymore either because the other agent is another whole world of work for us.  For example, they may tell the tenants that they need to move out, or clean this, or allow open houses, (Disallowed in our state during Covid, etc) With the extra liability of having others in the home, we dont do it.  What happens if something gets stolen, damaged, etc. Too many added factors. Either use the current agency, or wait until the tenants are out (best option in my view, especially during coVid) or have you or selling company manage move out of tenants, etc. 

Im sure they are more than willing to do the work if they are hired to do the sale.  This is where the payoff comes in .  without that, they don't owe you any more than the monthly contract they do for you.  

Maybe if you offer them $1000 to manage that month, it would be worth it to them and you.  IF not, move out and dont be mad at them.  They dont want to work or take liability for free.   (The other point of view)

It finally happened, they are charging a weekly $9 or so for rental ads. This is way too much. I need to find another way. Thoughts?

The MLS wont allow watermarked photos. The watermarking prevents the scammers from taking out photos and posting fake ads, so we do need those.

Any ideas?

What Nathan said is great.   WE also require the deposit wi stay with the property, since we aren't doing a move out inspection until all tenants leave.   The departing tenant needs to work it out with the remaining tenant.

Most Home warranties are similar and a pain for tenants/landlords because they routinely deny claims and also take some time to send repair people because they pay the lowest.  For example on a super hot summer day, the AC will not get repaired at a home warranty home because everyone is calling repair people, and the first people to get repaired are retail or property managers that give routine business.  

They are great for water heaters, but that's all I have seen.

I have a home warranty. (ORHP) who denied a claim on a 20 year old dishwasher that ran, but no longer cleaned.  Their answer was- nothing is broken, so we have nothing to repair... Yet it didn't clean anything... They refused to replace. I went up to 2 manager levels.  they sent a 2nd person who said the same thing, and I got charged a 2nd service fee. 

As a real estate agent and property manager, they lost a lot of business over that. 

On your application does it list which breeds are not accepted?  We do not accept mastiff mixes either.  We require they complete a pet application with proof of breed from Vet.  

The more you prevent up front, the fewer problems you will have.   That being said, you can ask them to remove, if they didn't disclose the pet. Your application should have a section for pets.  

Our tenants have options.  Renew lease,  or it converts to month to month at a % increase if they do not sign new lease. We also charge a fee if they sign in last 30 days, but waive that fee if they sign prior to the 30 day mark. 

For now, make them month to month.  Due to Covid19, you have to accomodate late or missing rent with a payment plan to let them make it up.  You cannot evict due to non-[ayment at this time. (Cares act)

With a month to month, you can deal with this once the Cares act which expires sometime 7/25 or so and let them out then