All Forum Posts by: Henry T.

Yes. Much more so if you're in a landlord friendly state. Forget West coast. Think Idaho, Arizona.

So I guess what your saying is...Aside from the city of Los Angeles chasing landlords away with anti-landlord legislation, rent control, and rental registration, etc, etc, and all the red tape that goes with it, here's another reason for landlords to close up shop and go somewhere else.  Fewer rentals being the result. Makes sense to me. I could see this coming. It's funny, looking at all of the boxes one must check to have their rental registered. It's all of the same boxes you have to check to be in the section 8 program. In other words, forced compliance.  Governments best intentions ruining it on all sides, helping no one, I think.

Have it as a standard part of your listed screening criteria. 

"Current residence will be visited". Simple as that and keep it vague.

Need a reason? Evidence of smoking.  Number of vehicles. Lawn care. General appearance must meet our standard. No used tires in yard. 

No way. The problem was fixed. Done.

Hmmm. Just wondering out loud...Have you ever tried to collect from someone that is self-employed?  Imposssssssssible.  Hot potato, drop it.

 Toss all of it. Get back to basics. I'm an investor and a landlord, but also a sentimental fool. My decisions are not strictly bottom line. I want my tenants in a place that I would be happy to be in. This is simply my personal choice and I can afford it. I hate metal and plastic siding, it doesn't take long for either of those to look bad. Sure, you have to paint wood, hardy, or even smartside, but the result is much classier, in my opinion. Smartside durability is still in the to-be-determined arena.

"I am sorry mr. new tenant. You moved in knowing the kind of furnace there is. You are responsible for the costs to operate it. I am willing to install a new gas furnace,  which should help you with your long term costs. Would you like me to do this install, or should we just leave things the way they are? Let us know. We appreciate your tenancy" Signed management.

This situ is partly your fault for not having thoroughly checked the system before renting. In the future, you might try to educate yourself about heating systems and their running costs. This will help you plan better and price units accordingly. Good luck!

Aluminum siding is a big turn off for me personally. I'm with Bruce. IF that Alum siding was on there for 30 yrs, that's 30 that the old wood was protected. If the old wood siding is a standard type, that you can fix(where necessary) easily, that's the way to go.  Scraping and prepping for new paint aint nothin'l. That's what I'd do and have done. The results can be stellar. Carefully, get rid of the tin crap. 

Rent is by the month not per day. There have been times when (left in such good condition and clean)  I've refunded when they left early. It was to my benefit that I could get in early and be rent ready. I would never agree in advance. Usually you're left with a pig sty.