All Forum Posts by: Kim Meredith Hampton

@Ross Hayes I know it’s difficult wondering what to do, as I’ve seen my fair share of pet damage, but honestly once you put some screening processes and money attached to it, you will see that majority of pet owners are pretty good. 

Actually the number of pet owners in rentals is actually north of 70%+, so they are definitely part of the family. I use a service called pet screening.com . I’m not sure they handle individual owners or just apartment and residential property managers? They take care of all the screening of the pets; vet records, ask questions etc…. then you put in place a pet fee, pet deposit or monthly pet rent or a combination thereof. 
If you can’t or don’t want to use the screening company, put a pet agreement in place, collect a pix of pet, vet records, the agreement (you can find on online) and collect the appropriate fees.

Please don’t forget about ESA or Service animals. They are each treated a little differently, and you cannot collect any fees. Please read up on this to avoid any legal issues.

@Abram Edawrd Inman Congratulations on your first property, I think you are headed in the right direction. 

I would not get applications first, you are making way too much work for yourself. Do a couple open houses to invite interested applicants and explain or ask a couple of questions or statements; rent should be 3x the rent, 3 years of rental history, 3 years of employment and no evictions. And if you accept pets, ask that too. This way you can weed out the lookie loos and people who aren’t qualified, while also cutting down on the number of times you show the property!

I also would never fill out an application before seeing the property, so many scams out there!

If you can’t get a hold of employers or landlords, maybe ask for bank statements showing payments or deposits 

This fee could definitely be passed along to the tenant. You would need to notify them prior to renting the place or when it’s time for renewal so that they are aware.

Michael

Are you referring to all utilities on one meter? submetetering?

I would call a RE Lawyer in your area that is familiar with section 8 housing. From what i’ve heard about New York, California, Washington and Seattle is that these states are very pro tenant, so be very careful about buying something before you speak with an attorney who knows what they are doing!!! 

Linda

Most statutes don’t allow you to collect double rent, the previous tenant would need to be pro-rated back for that portion of time you let the new tenants occupy. 

Once you give people the keys, they need to start paying and have a signed lease. I always say, no good deed goes unpunished; meaning “letting” tenants just move a few things in, now makes you liable for their belongings if something were to happen i.e. flood, robbery, fire etc… AND those things can and do happen, then their renters insurance probably doesn’t start until the 1st of September and you said their lease doesn’t start until the 1st of September.

Do the right thing, refund back the previous tenant IF the new tenants move in early, and also change the lease date and the new tenants need to pay from that date. OR let them move in as of September 1st and no early occupancy 

https://apple.news/Ato5hWMeBRlCND30G8-h_Yg

Heat kills at least 28 people this week

Hi Jagan 

I think we are really seeing this across the US. It’s really a reset of all the craziness from the last two years. Rents accelerated at unprecedented amounts, more multi family built and now here we are at this time feeling the effects of rents stabilizing and experiencing higher vacancy. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just where we are right now. Some may have to decrease a little on those double digit increases. 

Kar 
Im going to try and play devils advocate here; she definitely needs to adjust her attitude as there is no need to treat people that way no matter the circumstance.

I just heard and checked the temperatures in Tennessee and most places this summer, and it’s hot there! in the 90s!! You may be ok with 77-82 degrees inside your home, but I have my air at 74 when i’m home. Everyone should be able to enjoy their home. Just because you don’t have the money to repair, does not mean that a tenant needs to endure someone coming out three four times to repair something that seems it’s unrepairable and problem needs to be replaced. 

I own a pm company and always give best effort to repair something, but after three or four times, it’s time to replace. Work out a payment plan, put it in on a credit card, but get the thing replaced! 

You are retaliating about wanting to kick her out, and in some places that would be illegal. I would be very cautious about how you handle this, you may be in for more than just replacing the AC

Typically the PMC handles the payroll, taxes, etc… for the employee and property on behalf of the owner. We also manage, fire and oversee onsite staff. This makes it really hands off for the ownership. You should not have to do anything

The onsite manager shows and rents apartments, oversees third party vendors like, maintenance, landscaper, pest control, pool. Works day to day with resident complaints etc…. 
Most of the administrative tasks such as posting rents, verifying applications, paying contractors, payroll. human resources, paying taxes, paying owners etc…. are dealt with at a higher level with the corporate office PMC