All Forum Posts by: Kenneth C.

Hi BP community!

I'm looking for a lab that does lead dust sampling test at a reasonable price. I have seen prices in the Philadelphia area in the range of $27-$30 per tube. Each home that I have will require at least 5 tubes to be sent to the lab, so that would on the high end cost $150 per home.

I've looked out of state and have seen prices as low as $5.00 per tube. Of course I would incur the cost of shipping, but those numbers would warrant that expense. Are you all seeing pricing disparities such as the above? Could you recommend any labs?

I agree completely with the assessment of everyone. I currently work downtown at a large company and I don't foresee working more than two days in the office once things go back to "normal". I recently bought a newly constructed home in a gentrifying area of Kensington/Richmond with the intent of beefing up my home office for the long haul. A lot of white collar jobs and old school industries (e.g. Law, Finance, etc.) that were adversed to the idea of working remotely have been forced to see the benefits of such a work environment. Could there be a mass exodus from cities? Maybe. Is it likely? Probably not.

Those traditionally conservative industries are now open to having employees not being tethered to a particular region. This makes real estate in cities like Philly more attractive to New Yorkers who are paying an exorbitant amount for an apartments. Just my two cents. What are your thoughts?

Hello!

I need to have two doors repaired and/or replaced in my small apartment building in Philadelphia asap. A domestic issue escalated to the front door being kicked in as well as one of the apartment doors. Do you all have any recommendations that are prompt and reasonable with their pricing?

Ken

@Carl Millsap Thank you for the feedback Carl. Fortunately the boyfriend is not on the lease, so I don't have to be a mediator in any way in order to get the rent paid. I must admit, my initial hesitation to proceed with changing the locks stems from what you alluded to. If she doesn't act on the advice and continues to see this person (which is common), I don't want to have to inconvenience my other tenants by changing the locks again. Nor do I want to give this situation more of my attention than need be. As you state, this is her problem and not mine.

Hello BP,

I'm looking for some guidance re: a domestic abuse issue with a tenant that I have. I've heard from the other tenants of the building (4 unit apartment) that there have been some issues between my tenant and her boyfriend over past several months. Allegedly my tenants boyfriend made copies of the key to the main entrance to the building and also to her apartment without her knowledge. She reached out to me this past weekend and asked if I could change the key to her apartment. When I asked if she felt that she was in danger, she stated that she wasn't, but she did say that she was afraid. Aside from giving her general advice and strongly suggesting that she get a protection from abuse order, I stated that I would change the locks but that I would need to be reimbursed for the cost incurred (e.g.locks, extra keys for other tenant, etc.). She gladly obliged.

My question(s) to the BP community is this: What obligation do we as landlords have to ensure our tenants are in a safe environment? Do domestic issues fall outside of the realm of our legal obligations? Lastly, have you had to deal with a domestic issue with a tenant that resides in a multi-family property? If so, could you expound on how you dealt with it in general and in relation to the other tenants of the buiding?

Thanks in advance.

KC

Ha - I try my best my fellow tribesmen! It's a heavy load to bear, but us Ken's are a different breed.

Thanks you very much for the feedback @Kenny Dahill. The "cooking gas" is in their lease (month to month), so I can evaluate and then make an adjustment if need be with new leases.

@Frank Geiger Thanks for the info.

BP Community:

I go to settlement in a few weeks on my first multi-family unit. Ironically, my first three properties were single families, while my fourth property is a quadruplex. Given that I am still green overall, I have zero experience with multi-families and wanted to get some feedback on my options re: utilities (e.g. Heating). The layout of the property is as follows:

• - First Floor (1 unit): 3 Bed 1 Bath
• - Second Floor (2 units): 1 Bed 1 Bath
• - Third Floor (1 unit): 1 Bed 1 Bath

Both of the second floor units are occupied, and they pay their electric, hot water and cooking gas. However, I as the owner will now pay the heat. I'm having a tough time trying to comprehend how a tenant can pay for their cooking gas, and not their heat. I will ask the previous owner, but want to pose the question (s) on BP. So....here they are.

1. 1. How can you calculate how much gas was used for cooking as opposed to heating the unit?

1. 2. Lastly, the tenants pay 1/4 of the water bill. How could that be managed?

Looking forward to hearing what you all have to say.

Thank you all for responding. I've got a plan in place.

Hello: 

I am wondering if you know anyone in the Philly area that does demo trash removal (kitchen cabinets, old paneling, old drop ceiling, etc.) that you can give me their contact info and also what would be a good ball park figure for this?  In essence it is demo of a kitchen, bedroom and a bonus shed room.  Thanks. 

Ken