All Forum Posts by: Joel Oh

This is my first rental property, I had it for a bit over a year. Today I got a call from the first floor tenant stating that there is a strong smell like dog/fish in her front porch. She moved the curtain she dad and noticed a stain that smelled very strong. When you see it from outside, now there is a massive stain in the vinyl siding that comes from the second floor, and it smells terrible like pee.

In the second floor there is a tenant that I inherited and has a giant dog. I allowed them to have a dog in their lease of course making them liable for any damages. At this point it’s clear that they allow their dog to pee in their porch.

My concern is that since the damage is inside the wall, if I give them notice to inspect they might try to clean up and cover everything up. So it might be hard to show them liable. (I can’t take pictures of the smell). I was thinking in just showing up and saying that there is a strong odor downstairs and it could be toxic, so I have to go in immediately, then take pictures. Is this legal and reasonable?

I haven't done this but would do it.  Explored doing something similar with car rentals at one of our STRs and others in the area but didn't quite pencil out because of the depreciation on the cars we were considering.  

Sounds like a business problem in the area that needs to be solved and could be worthwhile.  You don't know what you don't know and there is risk involve but I wouldn't let that stop you.

Who knows, you may uncover this local bike rental business is more profitable than your local STR and deserves more of your time. What if you become the local bike rental business that all these other STRs rent from...

Just include them with the rental.

I don't charge extra to use my Kayaks.

We provide bikes, at no extra charge, for our local property. I picked the simplest bikes I could find with single speeds and coaster brakes to keep maintenance to a minimum. Amazingly, they are still going strong after two years with just some minor maintenance. However, if you are offering a bike-rental business, expect to be changing flat tires and adjusting brakes on a daily basis.

I also like the idea of using a local vendor. We partnered with a local kayak and SUP rental company in the same market and paid an annual fee that allows our guests to rent kayaks or SUPs from that company at no charge. The kayak company takes care of the waivers, etc. directly with the guest.

We've had multiple guests tell us that one of those two amenities was the reason they chose our property.

Avery Carl recently said that she partners with a bike rental nearby at one of her properties. The rental company delivers the bikes and takes care of all the maintenance and liability. I would explore this option. 

@Joel Oh

If you're in a competitive market a small value add to your rental can tip the scales in your favor to booking. Having a few bikes for free lowers the expectation of exchange. If the renters had to pay for them they will expect more in return, fully functional, perfect condition, higher quality. As a former bike mechanic I know renting bikes for a profit is a full time job because of the repairs. Also electric bikes would rent better but are also more expensive and require more maintenance. I would think you'd make more off your rental at full capacity than renting bikes. I've not done the math so I could be wrong.   

@Joel Oh

Provide the bikes for free.  Get coaster brake one speed beach cruisers if your bike trail is flat if not get a 3-speed internal hub. Buy from a local bike shop that can service them for you. Most shops offer a free service for a year. Bikes from a bike shop will be more expensive but they will be assembled correctly and will have fewer issues.  Also have them put in the thick tubes to prevent flats. 

Whatever you decide to do, IMO the focus should not be on the bikes but on the liability. You will be sued regardless of where the bikes come from if you are involved at all....

Bikes break. Better have a fixer around.