All Forum Posts by: Mike Hoefling

@Mike Hurney 

I do not know for certain but I bought the property less than 2 years ago, the current assessment is based on January 2014 according to the assesor. So my 'assumption' is that the assessed value should be much closer to the price I purchased it.

However, I am not really sure it makes sense to make an attempt to change the assessment because it may only lower my taxes around 40 bucks per month.

I was looking at my current Assessed Property Value that I recieved in the mail last week from the local Tax Assessor and I think the valuation may be incorrect by 15k-20k. I am wondering if it is worth submitting a tax abatement form with the county in an attempt to reduce this valuation. Is there any risk is doing this? Is this pretty straight forward?

This is in Worcester, MA.

Thanks!

Mike

In my KCMO rental which is a SFR in a nice suburb the tenant is requesting to put up a fence in the backyard. What are you thoughts? Has anyone allowed a tenant to have a contractor install a fence on their rental property?

My thoughts are that I would allow it if the lot was surveyed and a fence contractor came in to install the fence, I would not allow the tenant to perform any work. And of course I would not be paying for this, the tenant would be responsible for the costs.

Thanks!

Mike

I am looking for someone to service the HVAC in my Kansas City Rental. The tenants are saying the furnace won't stay lit.

Thanks for the help!

Mike

@Shaun Reilly Looking back at this situation I should have probably issued a 14 day notice to quit after they were late just in case and in the future I will do that. Also I will get a formal in writing letter from the tenants stating they are moving out by such and such as date.

@Dawn Anastasi I didn't want the tenants to use the security deposit for last months rent for that reason. I actually got into a dispute with the tenants regarding it stating it was a security deposit not last months rent. However they refused to pay so at this point there is nothing I can do. Therefore my plan moving forward is to collect First, Last, and Security.

To close the issue with the tenants I am going to issue a letter to them formally closing the move out issue, as I did talk to them today and they said they would be moving out September 27th.

My real question is they didn't pay Septemebr rent and wanted to use the one month security for Septemebr rent, but are also short $100. My thought is they are avoiding me because they don't want to pay the $100. 

My concern is they may just be lying and not move out so I am thinking about issuing a Notice to Quit for Non-Payment but I wanted to get opinions.

Thanks!

Mike

I have a 1 bedroom apartment in Worcester, Massachusetts and they tenants say they are moving out by the end of September. They actually have me notice around August 18th through a text message. They let me show the apartment with them still there which is great and I have a new tenant who will move in the beginning of October. The problem is I have made calls/texts to them and they have not been responding so I am concerned they may not move out. Any thoughts?

I have a 1 bedroom apartment in Worcester, Massachusetts and they tenants say they are moving out by the end of September. They actually have me notice around August 18th through a text message. They let me show the apartment with them still there which is great and I have a new tenant who will move in the beginning of October. The problem is I have made calls/texts to them and they have not been responding so I am concerned they may not move out. Any thoughts?

So my whole thought on this ruling is that when you post an apartment for rent the people calling or emailing you are "Applicants". They are not tenants because you have no agreement with them. Not verbal, written, or implied. So in my opinion you can charge a fee, I actually don't charge them, smartmove does. I personally use smartmove and have the applicants pay. This is my 2 cents and if I ever had to go to court over I would say they are not tenants I do not have any type of agreement with them. I'm no lawyer but this is how it makes sense logically to me. Mike

@Mike Hurney I think you are talking about the "Tenant Lead Law Notification" and "Tenant Certification Form" that goes along with it. But I agree 100% at a bare minimum you have to give this notification form to your tenants and check the applicable boxes. 

All I was saying is that even if you fill the form out and get tenants signature with the box checked that says "Owner has no knowledge of lead" that does not protect you if you have a child under 6 in one of your units.