All Forum Posts by: Jamie Scharbrough

@Larry T: We try, thanks!

@Elizabeth Colegrove : We'd already talked about that; there's some minor stuff that needs to be fixed or replaced that we were just going to do (one of the hinges on the toilet seat broke recently, so we were just going to replace it). There's some scuff marks near the fridge I know I can scrub out with no problem. 

There's nothing about nail marks in the walls on the lease, but from your opinions, should we cover those with that simple plaster stuff from Lowe's? It'd be easy to do, and our landlord was fine with us hanging pictures and stuff, I just don't know if I should cover them up or not. 

I wouldn't be so quick to blanket statement people. I have several friends who are hair stylists, and they all a) make good income, b) live in well maintained, really nice areas that they can afford and c) pay their rent on time with no drama. 

I can understand the wariness of the cash only income, but I'm getting the vibe from you that you don't think these people are good enough because they're hairdressers, strippers, or disabled. 

Jesse,

That's a very good point (and it's actually what I did for my last landlord before I moved in with my husband). We've got some friends who are young professionals, recently married, who are looking for a place. We could recommend them. 

We'd be willing to show the place as long as they don't mind that the main furniture would still be there.

Those are good ideas; I'll call my LL and ask him. 

So we're getting ready to move. I've looked over our old lease and we seem to be okay. However, we've lived in this unit for almost 8 years, and the wear and tear is definitely more than yearly tenants. 

I know our previous landlord will probably have to do more than he would normally to lease the unit to someone new. There's nothing crazy, but is it going to sound weird if he offers us our security deposit back and we tell him to keep it?

He's been a great landlord (prompt about answering calls, sending out maintenance guys when the water pipe suddenly went nuts, completely replacing our old A/C unit) and we wouldn't be moving if my company wasn't transferring me. 

So, is it going to look weird if we don't ask for the security deposit back?

Sorry Patrick, I should have been clearer. I meant would you make any special additions to the lease or have a separate document listing those additions.

Hey guys,

This is purely hypothetical, I'm just interested to see what landlords think about this.

Suppose you have a tenant who's being transferred or is a contracted worker and will only be in the area for 12 months. They have good credit history, good references, no evictions, etc. and their story about only being here for a year checks out (employment verification or something). 

They ask to pay the entire year upfront (maybe because they don't want to worry about it, maybe that's the way their company wants them to do it, whatever).

Would you do this? Would you agree to it, but ask the tenant to also sign a contract stating they're responsible for any issues that arise (painting, scratch on the floor, etc)?

I've seen a lot on here warning landlords not take a year in advance, but those almost all had to do with cash only incomes or bad rental history.

Would you do this if a tenant was solid?

I'm a renter, but I'd say 2/1.5, or 3/2, 3/1.5 would be the best. Heck, it's just my husband and me, and we've discussed how much nicer it would be to have more than one bathroom, even just a half bath. 

That and W/D connections seem to be the most helpful. 

We rented our 3/1 duplex for over 6 years (I've been there for 6 years, my husband for..8, I think.) We're having to move because I'm being transferred, but to answer your question, I think the location of the house might mean more than whether it's a 1 or 2 or 3. 

We live a few blocks from the university, so we're surrounded by students. The type of house around here doesn't matter; most students are either gone every May like clockwork or they stay for the whole of their university career, so usually at least 4 years (there's some grad students in the house by ours who've been here for as long as we have). 

The other side of our duplex rents out pretty much yearly and it's identical to ours (a 3/1).