All Forum Posts by: Debbie C.

@Renee Pratt

You have stated in your lease that the property is to be kept clean, and this does not sound like a little bit of dirt. You are asking for more issues, insects or rodents possibly if you do not address this. I would not hold out for them cleaning it up at move out.

It helps that they are month to month. Consider either sending them a notice or discussing in person your expectations for them to clean up the apartment and keep it clean. If they can't or won't, then give them notice to move.

I do inspections every 6 months, this is part of my lease. I have had tenants that needed to be told to clean something up, or clean better overall. So far at the next inspection everything looked good. Stick to the terms of your lease.

Good Luck

@Marco Morkous

I have 2 SFH that were built in 1959. When I bought them they needed updating which was what I preferred, that way I knew what was being done and I have a good contractor. These are well built block homes in a good area.

I just made sure the the numbers worked so that when the remodel was done I had not over payed. 

I have gained equity and have no problem finding quality tenants.

Good luck

@L. Brown

I agree with Kyle. I would not do an 18 month lease. Consider the month to month or if you want then maybe do a 6 month lease. 

Your stable funds are only as good as the tenant being able to pay her rent. And if she can't pay for whatever reason, then instead of you being able to just give her a 30 day notice, you will have to evict. Long and costly process.

Good luck

@Chris Snyder

For me that would depend on several factors, mostly is the area going up or down, and how long I was planning on holding it. Tenant quality is important to me, so for me unless the area was improving I would pass.

However, your ROI is really good, so just look at all your numbers and if it makes sense to you, that's what counts.

Good luck

@Michael Lettieri

We have remodeled several kitchens in our rentals installing the cabinets ourselves. We did buy the "off the shelf" cabinets from Home Depot when they were on sale. The ones we bought were ordered and came in fairly quickly. 

They had a good selection, including 36 or 42" cabinets, as well as a number of different finishes. You are right about them being very expensive to install them. 

Good luck

@Reece Register 

I own several SFH and I have a great full service property management company. I expect my agent to show the house, it is part of what I am paying for. Not to mention the risk involved with remote showings, which falls on the property owner, not the management company.

I have self managed in the past, at this time I prefer to have the management company, however, I can always self manage again, no problem.

If my management company changes over to remote showings, I will move on.

@Ryan Poortinga

I do pay attention to all my major appliances, and I do schedule regular maintenance on my a/c units. I am in Arizona, and I find it pays off.

Also at the 6 month inspections, as part of the inspection, I look the appliances over, and ask if they have any issues. If I see a problem of any kind, (could be lint build up in the dryer) or whatever, then I make sure it is taken care of.

I have SFH, they are long term rentals and I want to have everything last as long as possible. So far so good.

Debbie

@Jonathan Swartz

I would not evict,and you do not have a citation at this time. I would look into what else the tenants can do to keep the dogs from barking so much, especially if it is at night when people are trying to sleep, but it is the tenants responsibility to get the dogs under control.

That being said, you could decide to not renew the lease when it is up. Or for the future you could add a clause to your lease in the pet section that addresses excess barking and fines them additional fees if the city issues a citation, or however you want to word it that works for you.

Good luck

@Robert Mueller-Owens

That is a tough situation. I think a non renewal of the lease is the best way to go. I would make sure you know the law in your state regarding domestic violence in case the girlfriend does report him and goes to court to get him out of the house, or she needs out of the lease. (Assuming both of them are on your lease).

Good luck

@Chuck Mucciolo

I have had problems in the past with tenants not changing the A/C filters on a regular basis. We provide enough filters to last them the term of the lease and change the filters monthly. We also have added to the lease that they are responsible for the cost for any issues caused by not changing the filters and that the A/C Company that maintains our units will know if they are not being changed. (Dirty Coils).

We do address other house keeping issues in the lease. We also inspect every 6 months.

We ask tenants to report repairs asap. They are not allowed to repair anything on their own or to call a company & have it done. We cover the cost of the repairs unless the tenant has caused the problem, then it is billed to the tenant.

Hope this helps, good luck