All Forum Posts by: Mike Franco

Big ups to you.

I love this story. That certified mail trick is awesome. I will try that some time.

Legal action often gets the job done. Even the threat of legal action works. Tenants are often ignorant of the legal process and think they can crap all over landlords without consequences.
I recently explained to my tenant how not paying last month's rent would affect him in the future- court & background record, banks won't lend you money to buy a house, landlords of nicer properties won't rent to you, etc.
Ultimately he decided to pay the rent.

The only downside to this story is that the tenant will likely trash someone else's apt because you settled, and it's not on their record.

Oh, and this is a perfect example of why I don't allow pets. Too much risk, too little reward. Pet deposit? gimme a break.
I thought ceramic tile floors would be pet resistant, but now I understand urine can be trapped permanently in the tile grout too.

Sounds like you didn't include receipts with the itemized deposit deduction sheet?

If you did, it would be hard for tenant to argue.

I'm going to be doing a turnover at the end of this month, and I'll be charging the tenants the exact cleaning fee backed by work invoices. I don't make a profit from security deposit.

Normally they are responsible for the full rent until you find a replacement, or until their lease ends.

So when you negotiate, you tell them they can minimize their damage by cleaning up the place to help you find a replacement tenant to take over at the end of this month.

I hope you have enough security left to cover damages.

The kids clearly don't make enough, that's why mom is paying.
so it's pointless to even look.

Treat it as a single mom situation. I wouldn't hesitate to rent, since mom is also on the lease.
We're not talking about cosigner either. Mom is a lessee.

It sounds like mom is not going to live with the kids, so you'll need to do a character assessment. Kids living alone can be unruly.

30 day notice.

But read what your contract says.

I don't think so. The purpose of eviction is to repossess the property.
Even though tenant has signed a lease, tenant does not have possession yet. And if tenant does not fulfill his part of the agreement, the lease is void.

On my lease, it says full rent and security deposit are due before tenant gets possession. It doesn't matter how early we sign the lease, the tenant has to satisfy his end of the deal.

If he does not pay me as agreed, lease is void, and he has no rights.

No issues.

You just make sure mom has enough money, and make sure boyfriend or girlfriend aren't criminals.

Then be sure to remind mom of lease policy if the kids break up.
Mom is still on the hook until you find a replacement. She needs to know the worst case scenario.

Actually, the only issue I can think of is cleaning. Kids are slobs. Most have never done a chore in their life.

If it makes them feel better, mail it back to them. It's only 46 cents.

I would not meet them in person again.

I don't understand what they think you could do with that application.

yes, that's a good compromise.

I'm going to put tile in the living room once this carpet gets torn up.

I recently got some beige ceramic tile on clearance from Lowes for 10 cents per square foot.

Installed it myself. Really easy after watching youtube how-to videos.

They probably had no idea how bad it was.

Most people, no matter how clean they want to be, have dirty bathrooms.