All Forum Posts by: Debbie C.

@Elizabeth Schartman If you decide to change property managers and want a referral let me know. I have sfh's in the Phoenix area and have used my current company since 2012, with very good results. I have self managed successfully with some bumps in the road, which we all have and used other property mgmt. companies that were not any good. 

@Rhondalette W.

I did have a request from my current PM to add them to my policy. After discussing it with my insurance agent, I declined to add them. 

Everyone should carry their own insurance policy, and we are fully insured including an umbrella policy. The tenants are required to have a rental policy and they do add the PM on as " additional interest" not as co-insured or as " additional insured". The insurance company will inform the PM if the tenant cancels the policy, that is all it is for.

I did call around at the time my PM requested this and some PM's were asking/requiring it but many were not. Check with your insurance agent and do what is right for you.

@Alissa Engel

Thank you for posting this clearly defined explanation of what we as landlords should look for when a tenant gives us a ESA letter. I will keep this post for future reference.

@Yvonne H.

This has gone on for awhile now and may be difficult to get her to comply, but it is time to enforce your lease, you have the rules in place. If you cannot bring her around for whatever reason, then I would 100% either non-renew her or evict.

You have too much at risk here and it is not just the liability. You have issues with your neighbors which you have said are justified. I have sfh for rentals and I rely on a good relationship with my neighbors, they are my "eyes and ears" for my properties. I do not want angry, resentful neighbors. 

And yes, I have had some dog issues or loud party issues here and there, but I take care of it immediately. 

@Jared Cooper

I have SFH in South Scottsdale, 85257 managed by Cindy Johnson with American Associates. She has managed them for about 9 years. She is very good and the company is full service.

@Monia S. In our situation we have a few sfh in Arizona. We have had a few issues with our tenants, but nothing major, no evictions. We are longtime landlords and plan on keeping those properties, however, when we recently purchased and moved into another house we considered renting out the one we just moved out of (which we have done before) Rents have really gone up in that area of town.

Home prices have also gone up quite a bit, we decided to sell it not rent it out. PART of our decision was based on what we see as increasing government interference which increases our risk. No thanks. 

@Dan L. I have a clause in my lease about the tenant being responsible for pest control, however, if the "pest" whatever it is, is causing damage to my house ( or could cause damage) then I take over and resolve the issue. It is worth it to me to protect my property.

The tenant may or may not be doing something to cause the mice to come around. I would check that out also.

I had an issue with squirrels in the backyard of one of the rentals, causing problems. The tenants had several bird feeders up and it was drawing the squirrels in to the yard. We had them remove the feeders and problem solved. 

Good luck

@Michael Lightwood

My first house they charge 10%, the other houses after that 9% per month of the rent collected. No charge for any time it is vacant, $300.00 fee to rent to a new tenant. They are a full service property management company, they handle all issues that come up. They also do inspections on the properties every 6 months.

Some companies just charge a flat fee, but you get what you pay for so really check them out before deciding.

@Michael Lightwood

I have had rental properties for many years and have self managed them just fine. We decided several years ago to switch to having a property manager, and I have a really good one, which makes all the difference.

If you decide to self manage, then educate yourself, know your fair housing laws, state laws etc. Mistakes can be costly.

Or maybe consider starting out with a property manager, then take over when you are confident to manage your property on your own. 

Your choice...good luck

@Patrick Chiles

I respect that you want to help homeless people, and if this works for you then great. 

Hard Pass for me...Sounds like a recipe for disaster for the landlord.