All Forum Posts by: John K.

We are going to start billing new tenants for water usage (obviously by putting in the lease, units are individually metered). Does anyone mail monthly bills to their tenants for things like water?

If so, do you include the rent amount as well? I was thinking of mailing one bill with rent + water + anything additional that would be the tenants responsibility (ie: municipal fine for not doing snow removal).

My concern is, I'm concerned if the tenant looses the bill, they may not pay rent since they currently just mail their rent payment. Does anyone have experience with sending monthly bills to tenants for water? Do you include rent on it as well or just bill seperate for water?

@Joel Owens - I had a teacher in a property management class that way back in the day would fill evicted tenants cars with the items from inside the property and make sure the car was in a no parking zone. Obviously not a good solution anymore, just reminded me of it.

addendum will always be easier when possible. That way you can keep it simple, simple usually means signed faster.

Consult your lawyer. But if it was me and the lease has a solid guest policy, and they are violating it - send a letter in writing saying that they are required to comply or you will start the eviction process ASAP. Don't wait too long.

Find a good local portfolio lender. Sounds like they are working with Freddie/Fannie money - best thing to do is find a small local bank that loans out their own money.

Even if you buy as an LLC, many times the bank makes you peronally guarantee mortgages starting out. Also, once you have a foreclosure on your records - it's almost like a bankrupsy, you won't be able to borrow any more money for a LONG time.

Sprinklers will ALWAYS lower your insurance too.

If the tenant is making demands this early on, I'd suggest another applicant - next they will want the floors replaced, a new garage door and new windows!

Turn the fan on the furnace on, just to get air moving (change filter frequently). Then I'd suggest running big fans with windows open 24x7, just circulate as much air in/out as you can. Scrubbing / Painting / etc. then once you are circulating air like crazy.