All Forum Posts by: Greg Grisez

@James Landsford That punch list is a lot of work that won't necessarily help with you increasing rents over time. I agree with @Taylor Dasch to get more quotes. Red flag for sure. You did mention that this was a nice rental. But do all the other houses in the subdivision have stained fences? If not don't stain it. I never stain fenced when installing new ones in rentals. I would forgo altogether the decorative fence too. regarding the driveway & sidewalk I would recommend not adding a brick ribbon. Over time they get uneven and breakup. Then you eventually have to demo it. Stick with just concrete if you need to expand the driveway & sidewalk. Consider adding gutters and extensions versus french drain. Unless you had a foundation repair company you trust tell you needed a french drain. Because the gutters usually a better solution at much lower cost. Do you need new gas lines? Is there a leak? If not then don't replace. I would leave the landscaping in the front yard as is. Tenants are responsible for maintenance. And you spend all that money on updating it will be for not. Because tenants don't maintain the yard. I would stay away from brick pillars. If the current wood ones are ok leave them. Paint them if you need to. If falling apart replace with cedar wood posts and stain. Looks great and way cheaper than any masonry work. If you hadn't noticed in this post stay away from an masonry work if you can help it. Same goes for the side port steps. If failing replace for sure. But don't add brick. Hope this helps. 

 lol, bro, he's been involved in an attempted murder twice in the last 6 months. Get him out of your unit.

Ya know, I'm surprised nobody has brought up the obvious to you here. This dude got shot 9 times. He's probably someone you don't want in your unit for the long term. It's very rare that somebody just gets randomly shot 9 times by a stranger. I'd venture to guess your tenant is a criminal or drug addict of some sort.

Check the unit for pets.

If there are pets in the unit take a pan from under the sink and fill it with water so there's something to drink.

Look around for some pet food spill that into another big pan so they have something to eat. 

While you were there call the renter from the unit and ask what the renter wants to do with the pets.

If the renter has no way to take care of the pets and you do not want to keep them due to their cuteness and friendliness, then an option might have to be a no kill shelter.

https://www.nokillnetwork.org/

Looks like there is one program that has not closed yet in Ohio, maybe not the right county, but I would call anyway, they typically know who else could help.

https://nlihc.org/rental-assistance?utm_source=NLIHC+All+Subscribers&utm_campaign=156d693f5e-CDC_073021&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e090383b5e-156d693f5e-293274797&ct=t(CDC_073021)

 If she pays cool. If she doesn't, evict him. Him getting shot is irrelevant.

My PA lease has specific clause on the second matter of your question. 

I've been through situations like this.

Hopefully the family pays rent and this becomes a non-issue.

If they don't pay the rent, you need to be understanding and kind, but firm.  It is not your responsibility to house this person's items indefinitely in your rental.  The clear solution is to simply follow the eviction proceedings as you normally would.

Here is one legal sensitivity you need to be aware of.  Do you have written confirmation that the sisters / mother are a good emergency contact?  You should never let someone into a unit without written evidence that you have authorization to do so from the lessee.  If they were listed as an emergency contact, you are OK.  Otherwise, I would seek this out. 

Sad truth of our current legal system, but if you go through the eviction process and he loses all this stuff, you are in the clear.  On the other hand, if the sisters came in and took all his stuff and he had not given you permission, you are liable.

One potential solution if you end up having to go through eviction is to tell the family when the constable / sheriff comes to have their stuff removed.  (Process varies by jurisdiction)  If they know exactly when it is being removed, they can come rescue important items.