All Forum Posts by: Steve S.
Steve S. has started 294 posts and replied 637 times.
Post: Best way to remove odors from Indian food during turnover?
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
Last tenant cooked some amazing Indian food but with the spices etc the new tenant is concerned the odor may still be prevalent when they move in.
Any suggestions? Will standard cleaning do the trick?
Post: Do you require social security#or drivers license# on application
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
Originally posted by @John Underwood:
Steve,
Definately. Anyone renting should have an expectation of providing this information. I keep this in case of future legal action. You can't run a worthwhile background check without this information. I also have their signed consent on the application to run the background check. If any of the information provided is false it is grounds to deny an applicant.
Credit score, evictions and criminal checks tell you a lot about a potential tenant.
Yes understood. I get that info from something like mysmartmove.com and also do an application
Post: Do you require social security#or drivers license# on application
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
My standard form asks for this information, but on more than one occasion, i've been asked by prospective tenants if they have to provide it before they are selected in the event they provide it and then later are rejected (or someone else is chosen)?
What do you usually do?
I use a separate website for performing a criminal and credit and eviction background check as well, which to me, has me covered, but curious how others handle it.
Post: Tenant breaking lease early - how do you Bring up the fee?
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
Originally posted by @Greg H.:
I assume you are talking about Para 28 of the TAR lease agreement? In addition to the fee of 1 months rent the are also responsible for the rent for the rent for the rest of the term of the lease or until another acceptable tenant is procured
I would send an email referencing the paragraph in the lease agreement as it would be better for them to just pay for the 6 weeks
If I was comfortable that the property could be rented within a month and they were otherwise good tenants, I would agree to terminate for a fee of 1 months rent
Thank you for your thoughts. I’ve always considered myself a fair landlord, probably leaning a little too much towards the tenant and not always taking every fee I can per the signed agreement.
That said, if I could rent the place such that there was no extended gap between tenants, is it common place to charge the fee they agreed to in signing the lease?
Post: Tenant breaking lease early - how do you Bring up the fee?
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
They are here on a corporate assignment and leaving 6 - 8 weeks early. They haven’t mentioned anything about paying the fee. I have a way I’d bring this up but want some perspective from those that may have had to do it before.
Fee per the lease is 1 month’s rent. And likely the company they work for would be paying it but I don’t know that for sure and it likely may come as a surprise to the tenant who signed the 18 month lease a year or so ago.
Thoughts?
Post: Tenant killed a snake
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
Originally posted by @Grant Rothenburger:
@Steve S. Are the tenants attempting to blame you or something?
They didn’t say but seemed to be wanting me to do something so was curious how others had handled it. I didn’t plan to do anything as I don’t know what I could should or am Obligated to do
Post: Tenant killed a snake
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
Lmao. Love the responses!!!!
It was about 2 feet. Snake not on the lease and (was) living rent free - paid the price
Post: Tenant killed a snake
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
Do I have any obligation here? How have you handled this situation?
Post: Need help with how to fix a French drain
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
I had a guy come out today and offer to do it for $750
Said he'd have to dig up some of the yard.
1) what questions do i need to ask him or the city before awarding him the work?
2) I'm working to get another bid or two but how does this price ($750) sound from your experience to unclog it / fix it more permanently?
3) The house right next door has the same issue. How concerned should i be that I can fix my drain but still have an issue if the other person doesn't fix it?
4) what obligation do i have to fix it? It creates an inconvenience for the tenant when they go to their car after a flash flood and the french drain doesn't work well and they are up to their ankles in water trying to get to work, etc.
Post: Hiring friends to do work on rentals and taxes
- Dallas, TX
- Posts 649
- Votes 52
Originally posted by @Kyle J.:
@Steve S. - I am just a landlord, not a tax professional. However, I do pay a tax professional (attorney) to give me advice and do my taxes. With that being said, based on what I have been advised for my own situation as a landlord, as well as my own research on the subject, I do NOT have to issue 1099's - even if I pay one of my contractors over $600. Your situation may be different.
Many people will advise that you should issue 1099's, but what I wanted to know (and it sounds like you do too), is whether you are required to issue them. According to my tax attorney, I don't need to issue them because I'm treating my rentals as a "passive activity and not a business". (This is often the case for small landlords.)
Here's an article from a CPA on this very topic: Small Landlords Not Required To File Form 1099.
In the end, I'd suggest getting tax advice specific to your particular situation from an actual tax pro, and then following that advice.
Thank you for your thoughts. I have gotten conflicting advice from the professionals so trying to make sure I’m handling things appropriately.