All Forum Posts by: Nancy Curran

David, yes people do have a right to change their minds. I'm not an attorney, but consumers have a lot of rights in courts. It depends on the state, but people have three days to back out of most contracts. And in court, "rich" landlords are usually held up to a higher standard than "poor" tenants. Especially on these odd cases, that aren't clear cut. I could totally see a judge telling a landlord to give back the money to the tenant.

This is a little tricky because she didn't get keys nor did she move in. People have a right to change their mind. If it were me, I would return the security and call it a day. She could take you to court, or, her boyfriend could throw a brick through the window. I personally am happy when things like this happen, she obviously is an idiot and the boyfriend finding a place is probably a lie. What couple goes out and separately rents places especially in the age of cell phones. If you asked me, you dodged a bullet.

I just would choose the unit that I want to live in. And if you do end up with the upper unit, have the MTM's sign a year lease as the last thing you need is move into the upper, start a project and have the lowers move out three months later. And to Kimberly's point, not sure how the lenders would find out you aren't living there. Just put up a mailbox at the property. No "tsk tsking" me. It's a rule breaker but I doubt any of us are in the landlord businesses because we are rule followers. LOL.

sounds like the beginning of eminent domain.

email a 5 day notice and also post it on his door.

I'm not sure you can evict tenants for complaining and or not liking cabinets. Is the mother a tenant? If not, who cares what she thinks. Didn't just the son sign the lease? In any case, give them a 5 day notice demand of payment. If they don't pay, you can easily evict on non payment. Don't even get involved in who threatened who. So for an easy non payment eviction, those are clear cut cases and you don't really need an attorney. They have to pay or they can't stay--judges know this.

Does your condo association allow pets? If so, they should have pet friendly pesticides. But in any case, pets open up your pool of candidates but they can be a hassle. I wouldn't accept a larger deposit for a pet, but would charge more a month. The reason why is where I live, security deposits and returns are really quite scrutinized. I don't want to get into it with a tenant who says "the carpet was stained when I moved in" or whatever they have to say. So I would just charge more a month, $25 let's say, knowing you will get $300 more a year for anything you have to clean up or change after they move out.

I would also make sure that the current owner transfers the deposit along with accrued interest. Be sure the current owner has paid the tenants their security interest each year.

I am not a fan of the word "frugal" either. Reminds me of a guy living in 30 year old plaid pants being held up with an indian belt. But a few years ago I challenged myself to buy NOTHING but the "needs" (toilet paper, toothpaste) for an entire year. And, I couldn't even buy a "need" until the previous one was completely out. How liberating...I just got into a habit of not going into stores for recreation and realizing how much I have. And I saved so much money in that year. My bank account really grew and I was able to buy a new property.