All Forum Posts by: Avery Moore

I use mysmartmove it weeds out a lot depending on which package you pay for.

Quote from @Laci White:

A few things here: 

1. The security deposit is not rent. This needs to be held separate and apart from any rent proceeds (typically in an escrow or trust account) until the tenant moves out. No part of the security deposit should be refunded until the tenant moves out. Did the Lemus pay just a security deposit upfront or did they pay some portion of rent in addition to the security deposit?

2. The housing authority is paying rent on behalf of this tenant. Did the housing authority send payment for the full month of rent or did they prorate it? If the housing authority sent the full month's rent, I would let the tenant know that the housing authority sent full payment and deemed no proration was necessary.

3. If this were not a section 8 tenant, you would need to prorate the rent based on the lease start date documented in the lease agreement regardless of possession (unless the lease states otherwise).

4. Since the lease is fully executed, if you do want to return their money and get another tenant, you would need to return the money to Lemus, not to the tenant, as it was not them who paid upfront funds. Also, I would recommend getting from the tenant in writing that they agree to terminate the lease and have you refund upfront funds to Lemus. You'll want to have them sign this document if you decide to terminate. However, it sounds like this can be resolved pretty easily though and I would try to keep the tenant in place.

Hope this helps!

 Sorry for the late response, new laptop, new login.

Thanks for your input.

1. Lemus paid for the security deposit, the tenant paid for half the months rent. 
2. The housing authority did send the rest of the prorated rent, (I didn't expect it)
3. Thanks, I was thinking that would be the proper way if its wasn't. 
4. Everything went smooth, it was also here first time on the program. The housing authority explained all the protocol. There were a lot of scams here so I was just a little skeptical about the Lemus program. Its been 3 months now and everything is great.

Thanks again

Good morning BP community,
This is my first-time having using the section 8 program in having a tenant. It wasn't easy going through applicants being that its Atlanta & it's a lot of people applying from other states as well as people that don't reply or want something for nothing. I selected the applicant that I thought was best fit. With that being said here's the situation that I am needing some insight on:

1. The company LeumasGroup, paid for the security deposit which is 1st & last month rent.
2. The move in date was expected to be May 1st being that the property passed the inspection April 29th
3. The tenant was mailed the check & received it on May 6, we signed the lease and paperwork May 7th
4. The tenant stated they're going out of town for a graduation, didn't get the keys that day (plus I wanted to make sure the check cleared)
5. The tenant contacts me that Sunday and asked about prorating being that it was the middle of the month or starting the lease in June (???)
6. Contacted the Housing Authority to confirm if I were to receive or deny money being that the security deposit was covered.
7. agreed upon moving forward, May 14 an emergency happens & couldn't meet for the key

The housing authority are very hard to contact for answers and the case worker for this case is on vacation this week. Am I overthinking about the procrastination of moving in/stalling? Should I return the money and look for another tenant? 

Quote from @Matthew Paul:

This is why when I list a property for rent , I dont post an address .  And I am in contact with the neighbors . I tell them its vacant and I tell them to call if they see someone trying to move in . 

It will come to the point that some people will have to pay for a security patrol to visit the properties daily to avoid this . 

does not posting the address helps, I'm only asking cause with Google image search there's ways to kinda find the area. I have a close relationship with a neighbor but that's still doesn't help when a criminal is motivated

This has become a very common issue globally I see. Georgia has just passed a new bill a week ago:
https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/georgia-squatters...

Your realtor friend is telling you the truth, for I work in the Gwinnett area for the high paying careers are further North of the city but I am a resident of the Dekalb area. There's a lot of development occurring South Fulton area, Camp Creek is a very great hub that includes restaurants, shopping centers, and direct connection to the airport. The Palmetto, Sandtown, Union City areas are kinda overlooked but still has a Southern draw that you don't find in the inner city. As the comment above stated you'll have to find your plans/strategy but I don't think it'll be a bad decision you may be ahead of the curve. 

Quote from @Richard J.:

Thanks. I already got it done.

what was your outcome?

Quote from @Richard J.:

Does anyone have any recommendations for a Eviction Set Out crew and cleanup in Clayton County Georgia?

What you mean "eviction set out crew" I had a junk removal crew come and dispose the abandon belongings. If you need their services I'll give you the info

I'm a bit skeptical on doing AirBnb in my city (Atlanta) the HOAs are getting stricter here & also been a method for squatters. I have a 3BD townhome & like to know more about how would you manage "house hacking" ? Would you have a lease for every tenant there? Would are the risk of house hacking vs renting? 

Quote from @Kevin Sobilo:

@Avery Moore, there are rental scams every day of the week even in my relatively modest sized market. @Chris Seveney, I don't think the poster is just talking about professional squatters but all types of rental fraud.

In my market at any time, I could probably find at least several active advertisements where someone is trying to scam people out of AT LEAST application fees perhaps by requiring they apply before seeing a unit or possibly even move-in money. My last turnover, someone stole my pics and was trying to scam renters in this way.

There are also isolated cases where a vacant house is broken into and rented before the owner knows it. It happened a couple years back around the corner from where I live to a house someone renovated and was about to advertise for rent. By the time he knew it, the illegal tenants had already moved in!

The difficulty from what I see is that these sorts of scams are mostly small and local police are ill equipped to investigate and prosecute especially since most of the criminals are not local.

The best idea I have is for a vetting service renters can use to screen potential rentals/landlords. If offered through a real estate brokerage they could also offer some light representation for a modest fee. Even with real landlords, tenants are often taken advantage of and don't know how to cope.

thanks for the input ! how did the owner get the unofficial tenants out?