All Forum Posts by: Henry T.

Great thread with many great points.  I love dogs and cats, but they can really tear a place apart. Try fixing cat pee odor in the furnace vents. Not easy. $$$$.

 Do owners typically do the upkeep, i.e., towels, mowing, bathroom,  or is that typically hired out? If so, what are typical costs $$?

@Dom Battezzato So what can you do in this situation where your damage/cleaning deposit is less than your typical long term renter? In STR's I'm seeing low damage deposits of $100. A kicked hole in a wall will be 3 times that. Or how about a knifed countertop? What's the solution?

@John T. and @Greg M. I think is accurate.  I sent a note to a neighbor informing them of their falling tree limbs(300 pounders) and if damage should occur in the future I would be holding them responsible. If something should happen, I fully intend to unleash my attorney, he was warned.

Rent control has taken hold in WA state. 6 months notice for a rent increase. And the amount you can raise is limited. "Just Cause" prohibits the landlord from ending a lease. Lease renewals MUST be offered to the tenant. Whereas, the tenant can quit anytime.  All of a sudden everyone's complaining that there are no rentals available.  In the Seattle area in particular, landlords are quitting in droves. That's good Colorado has a smart Governor. Washington's Inslee not so. The Seattle city council passed multiple feel-good legislation, knowing full well its results double the cost of renting. Its the renter that suffers. WA state and the City of Seattle has gone nuts. It's just the beginning of the end, just wait and see.

@Matt Bishop....I've used NTN and ended up with the worst tenant I ever had. I followed their recommendation.  They also failed to show his criminal history.

I use lease runner. The tenant applies for the credit history and then allows you to see the full report. Criminal history should be checked by going to your local courthouse and looking on their computers. (recent laws have made criminal history to landlords unavailable). Gotta do it yourself. Since the moratorium, many states will also not allow screening to show eviction. Again, you gotta dig and find it yourself at the district court. It's hard work, time consuming, but if you get a deadbeat you'll REALLY be sorry you didn't.

Ultimately the property owner is always responsible. For electricity too!  Your lease should say tenant is resposible for all utilites. failure to pay them immediately is a lease violation and subject eviction, the same as non-payment of rent.

lets say some homeless guy, out of nowhere, decides to push it out into the street, unbeknownst to you. I guess then its the city's problem. They'll know what to do with it right away.

Show full credit report, no late payments, Credit 750, 4x income to rent(each applicant), no evictions, must have a garnishable income, 1 yr on job verified, show pay stubs, references from two landlords,  allow inspection of their  present home. No pets.

Does your mom need a place to live?