All Forum Posts by: Jill Clark

Thanks for your advise regarding the deposit, Nathan & Deanna. 

In regards to the property, it is actually far from a mess and in great area with rents close to market rate. Could we kick out the tenant who's been there 26 years, remodel the unit and rent it for a couple hundred more a month? Of course, but that's not our priority with the property at the moment. 

Hello!

I purchased a 4 plex over a year ago and inherited three tenants who's residency  ranges from 3 years to 26 years. Besides the occasional whine and whimper, they've been good. 

One unit that includes a mom and adult daughter on a month to month agreement is looking to remove the adult daughter from the agreement and add a new tenant (the mothers boyfriend). Besides the obvious (running all checks on the boyfriend, having the adult daughter give proper written 'notice' and signing a new month to month agreement) I'm curious how to handle the deposit - in our purchase of the property we were transferred the deposits but not provided any detail of which tenant paid what. Does/should the deposit stay with the unit? Is it worth refunding the deposit to both the mother and daughter, then require a new deposit? Is there another and better option that I'm not exploring? 

Any and all suggestions from someone who has seen a similar situation is greatly appreciated. 

Thank you all for your insight and suggestions. The constructive feedback is greatly appreciated. 

I did write her an email reminding her of the smoking policy in her rental agreement. She immediately blamed it on her 20-some year old child and asked where the property lines are so she know exactly where to smoke...... Perhaps I should add this to the post of lovely things renters say. 

I decided to confront the issue now in the crazy hope to correct the problem. If the smoking continues, we'll be giving them the standard 30-day notice. 

Let's just say this... Living next to (in-between, to be exact) your tentants is no walk in the park. 

Hello,

My husband and I recently purchased a 4-plex and moved into one unit. In December, we had the three remaining tenants sign new, month to month lease agreements in which we included the property (in side and out) was smoke free. Now that we are living in a unit, it's very apparent that a tenant in which we share walls with, is smoking in her unit. 

Has anyone been in a similar situation and if so, how did you handle it? I would love to confront the issue head on but want to do so in a way that does not cause them to retaliate by smoking more or cause further damage to the unit.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

Thanks! Everyone is correct, eviction was the wrong legal term to use - we will be terminating their month to month agreement. 

So glad there are other people out there that have been in a similar situation that can offer advice. 

Hello! This is my first post although I've been reading up for a while now. My husband and I will be closing on a 4-plex which we will be owner-occupying within the next few weeks and I'm looking for a bit of guidance. We already have a single family home which we rent so the world of being a landlord isn't totally new to us however, a 4-plex is a whole new beast. We will be inheriting 3 tenants (we'll also be evicting one who is on a month to month agreement so we have unit to occupy) and I'm trying to figure out the best way to introduce ourselves. We do have the current month to month leases so we have their very basic information but I would like more - employer, pet, vehicle info (on site, shared lot), emergency contact info. My plan now is to send them a welcome letter to introduce ourselves and letting them know a new rental agreement will be following shortly, a small questionnaire with the questions above and a Welcome mat as a gift. I'm curious if anyone has been in a similar situation before (inheriting tenants) and what your approach was. Thank you!

Thanks, Sterling. 

I've read other recommendations about introducing yourself as a a third party when owner-occupying which I'm not comfortable with. We plan to be honest and set clear boundaries.

As far as the 'eviction' goes, everyone is on a month to month agreement so we'll give the proper and legal 30 days notice. 

Hello! This is my first post although I've been reading up for a while now. My husband and I will be closing on a 4-plex which we will be owner-occupying within the next few weeks and I'm looking for a bit of guidance. We already have a single family home which we rent so the world of being a landlord isn't totally new to us however, a 4-plex is a whole new beast. We will be inheriting 3 tenants (we'll also be evicting one so we have unit to occupy) and I'm trying to figure out the best way to introduce ourselves. We do have the current month to month leases so we have their very basic information but I would like more - employer, pet, vehicle info (on site shared lot), emergency contact info. My plan now is to send them a welcome letter to introduce ourselves and letting them know a new rental agreement will be following shortly, a small questionnaire with the questions above and a Welcome mat as a gift. I'm curious if anyone has been in a similar situation before (inheriting tenants) and what your approach was. Thank you!