All Forum Posts by: Kathy Johnson

Does their emotional support animal have to be a dog?  It seems that insisting on a dog would infringe on the other tenants peace and enjoyment of the property. Just as people with a medical marijuana card can be asked to avoid smoking it in a non-smoking unit, perhaps the tenant who needs an emotional support animal can look into a non-dog emotional support animal?

How bad is the original roof?  If you put another layer over curling shingles, it is going to be lumpy looking.  We had a second layer put on a duplex and it lasted only 5 years, but that was in windstorm and hail country in Wisconsin.  You may have better mileage in a milder weather area.  We then had to tearoff and install new roof because the insurance company didn't like the two layers.

In addition to the above, if you join your local Buy Nothing group you can ask for some of the things you might need for your remodeling or for things that will help you keep your budget down so you have more to spend on your renovation.  In my local group people have given away things like paint, sinks, bathtubs, windows, direct vent propane heater and more. You don't have to wait for someone to post something you need. In the Buy Nothing groups you can also post 'Asks' where you tell people what you are looking for.  I just picked up a generator, weedwhacker and tiller this week.  Buy Nothing also allows asking for or offering gifts of time, so you can ask for someone to help you figure out how to fix something.  There wasn't a local group where I live, so I started one thinking it would probably be while before it built into something useful, but it took off.  My group started just before the pandemic so it was a timely help for our community too.  

Pure speculation, could this be the new potential roommate who wanted to see the condition of your tenant's room to be sure they keep their room in sanitary condition?  

Most of our tenants are staying put so far. We did have one give notice because of a new job at the other end of the state. We have some updating going on with that SFH because the former tenant had been in there 15 years. We are using a property manager this time but this is new so we will see how it works out for them and us. :) We were below market enough that even if the market dips a bit it will still be an increase for us that will more than cover the property management fees.

Check for running toilets.  Sometimes the flappers wear out or the mechanism sticks.  It can run up a good sized bill if it runs for any length of time.

Even if you don't get a refund from the amended years, if there is deferred loss you can deduct that from the profits of the sale (according to NOLO.  I am not a tax lawyer or accountant and am only repeating info from NOLO)

Ask her if she will provide you  a copy of the exterminator's report because it might list the areas that need sealing which will make the task easier. Even if the lease makes the tenant responsible for the pest control, you need to keep your building in good repair.  Mice can cause damage inside the walls and to cabinets and wall with chewing and filling gaps up with nasty smelling nests.  They can even damage wiring.

All of our current tenants paid for July.  One long-time tenant gave notice in May and moved out by June 30th.  They were our 15 year tenants.  He hasn't been working during covid and she found a new job out of county that pays more.  The rest of our tenants are either essential workers or can work remotely.

Be sure that you are not violating your condo association rules also.  The size of the bedrooms can make a difference if they are exceptionally small or large it can affect the number that would be reasonable.