All Forum Posts by: Jon A.

Personally, I don't like to have tenants subletting rooms. I would offer to sign a new lease with both of them being jointly responsible for whatever length all parties feel is a good fit. That way, we are all on the same page and they are both responsible for rent and damages, etc. Also, it will give you a chance to do a walk through with your original tenant and make sure there aren't any rollover damages from the original tenancy that the new room mate may not want to be responsible for. 

I am surprised no one has said this, so I will add that you should really read and get to know your states landlord/tenant laws. Congratulations on your purchase!

Wow, that's impressive. Welcome to bp. 

While I can't answer your question about the rebuild value I can tell you that I purchased a duplex about 11 years ago that is zoned rs8 but had been used as a duplex and separately metered as such for many years before my purchase. I just went to the city and asked them to make it a "non conforming legal duplex" and wrote my offer on the property with that qualification as a contingency. Because the property had a history of being used that way the city didn't have any problem with it. The bank didn't have any problem with it either. 

My duplex is $800 per year.

I would be very careful about reporting the suspected drug activity. I have a friend that was in a similar situation and when the cops raided the house they broke down the doors and all the windows to enter. They are concerned about their safety and don't really know what to expect when they enter so they prepare for the worst as I am sure you can imagine. Insurance did not cover the damage. He lost the house over not being able to afford the costly repairs. When we spoke about it, he said he would never call the cops on his tenants again because the damage they caused was worse than the situation he was in to begin with. Just food for thought. I would stick with the legal process of eviction and let it run its course. Even then, if they don't leave and the police have to enforce a summary ejectment, they will go in with guns drawn and it is pretty dam intimidating even when no one is home. 

I would think twice about reporting the suspected drug activity to the police. I have a friend that was in a similar situation and when the cops raided the house they broke down the doors and all the windows to enter. They are concerned about their safety and don't really know what to expect when they enter so they prepare for the worst as I am sure you can imagine. Insurance did not cover the damage. He lost the house over not being able to afford the costly repairs. When we spoke about it, he said he would never call the cops on his tenants again because the damage they caused was worse than the situation he was in to begin with. Just food for thought. 

It is my understanding that you have to put it in storage for a certain amount of time before you can sell it. You do not want a family member coming back to you claiming you sold a very expensive heirloom that was priceless when you had no legal standpoint to do so. This could cost you more in the long run than a storage unit.

I think the keywords you used are "really want". It sounds like you are willing to pay more than the house is worth simply because you are attached to it already. I would let it ride and see how low the price goes. They seem over priced and it is soon to be January. See if it is still on the market in March.

I charge $25 per month per pet. They have to be under 20 lbs.  and I don't allow cats. Which really limits the applicants. I think what we are all going to have to accept is that almost any dog or cat can be an ESA, which you are not allowed to charge for anyway, and I think it's very easy to make your pet an ESA. All it requires is a certificate that you can get online and landlords are not allowed to ask what the ESA is for.