All Forum Posts by: Debbie C.

This happened to a friend of ours. In his case when the tenant moved out he took the washer and dryer. The neighbor saw him loading it, and told the landlord. A police report was filed and the tenant was prosecuted. 

I am sure every situation is different, so I would check with an attorney.

Good Luck

Debbie

@ Calvin Brock

We have SFR in B to B+ areas. We turn them over on average every 2-3 years.

Most tenants get all to almost all of the refundable deposit back. We charge a non-refundable amount for cleaning. I do very detailed move in and move out inspections, plus every 6 months they are inspected. This has worked well for me.

We used to have SFR in C to C- areas and that was a different story. Much more turnover and more issues with the condition of the property when they left. As mentioned above, items left behind, more to clean, sometimes more damage. Some left owing rent so I would say most of those had some amount deducted to losing all of the deposit.

Hope that helps.

Debbie

@Michael Downs

You are already using your attorney for the basic lease, so just think of anything unique to your house that could be an issue you want to address, and have your attorney add the proper wording to your lease to keep it legal.

An example is several of my SFH have an alley behind the house. I had issues with the tenants regarding items thrown out there etc. And I had the city send me letters because of complaints. So I addressed that in the lease at renewal.

Also I have added to the lease that the tenant pays any costs or fees for notices and/or fines for violations of the lease. 

That way if the city fined me, I would send the tenant a copy of my notice and add the costs to the next month's rent.

Good Luck

Debbie

@Stephen Daniels

I am in South Scottsdale, just north of ASU. I do not rent by the room, that being said, when I look on Zillow to see what my competition is doing for remodels, I see many properties renting by the room, and you can get some great ideas of what they are doing to attract students. 

Good Luck

Debbie

@Keegan Darby

I would not just show up even after giving the proper notice, especially not with Covid issues right now.

I have rentals on the east side of town, South Scottsdale, and demand has been strong. I think if you wait and make sure she is out and replace your flooring as you have planned, then show your property you will be in a great position to get market rent, and a top tenant.

Good Luck

Debbie

@Trey Klauss

For the handbooks I buy bright colored cheerful notebooks with plenty of tabs in them. Two for each house, 1 for me, 1 for the tenant. Start out with the area, anything that stands out to you. I photo copy what I want to put in the book and I put in the information for each appliance, features, how to operate, anything that I want to stand out, maybe safety issues I highlight. 

An example is I buy those Xtreme mats for under the kitchen sinks and they come with a small alarm that will go off if there is a leak, so I have a page  in the book that I printed off the website that explains how it works.

Anything that is relevant to the house. Mine matches the tenants. If I find things to add after the tenant has moved in, I just make 2 copies and keep them in the front of my notebook. When we do the 6 month inspection, I ask for their notebook, add any pages to it and let them ask any questions. Works for me.

Debbie

@Trey Klauss

I do have a handbook for each property that has information about the area, and specifics about the house. This includes information about the appliances, city pick up of bulk trash etc. I leave it on the kitchen counter along with any supplies that I think they will need. 

Many tenants have told me they appreciate both the handbook and the supplies given.

Debbie

Hi James

I am in Phoenix also, and we do have bedbug issues here. If you have a property with common walls, anything except a SFH, then you probably will have to end up paying for the treatment. It is very hard to prove that a specific tenant brought them in. Check out Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1319. That might help you to understand what the state requires.

It does sound like you are in a bad situation caught between the PM and the tenant. I would pay for the treatment, as you have, I would not charge the tenant back for it, continue to collect rent from the tenant. I do not see what you have to gain from an eviction, you will probably never see the money for the treatment anyway plus you are out rent, legal fees etc.

You did not mention when this tenants lease is up. You may choose to not renew the lease to them. 

One more thing to consider, when you believe your unit is free of bedbugs and before you re rent it out, I use Burns Pest Elimination, they have trained dogs that are trained to sniff out bedbugs. It is a reasonable cost, and you have documentation that your unit is clear and has no issues. Hope this helps.

Good Luck

Debbie

Hi Sami,

Right now I am not raising rents. 

As far as the lease goes, I start with a one year lease. When that is up I may renew for another year, but sometimes that varies. It might be at the tenants request, or I may want the lease to end in a specific month because rental demand is higher at that time of the year.

I am in Arizona and we do not have to offer a 12 month renewal. I also have the option of letting the lease go month to month.

Good Luck

Debbie 

Hi Tom, 

How did his truck get broken into? You could consider helping him add to the security of his truck so it does not happen again. Does he already have an alarm, or maybe needs better heavier locks on the doors, tool box etc.

That said, it does not address replacing his tools. How far are you willing to go to help this tenant out? 

Good luck, Debbie