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All Forum Posts by: Kristy Buchanan

Kristy Buchanan has started 2 posts and replied 5 times.

Post: Raising Door Frames to a standard door height in a 1 bedroom house

Kristy Buchanan
Posted
  • New Orleans LA, USA
  • Posts 5
  • Votes 1

Hello everyone, 

I don't know if this is the correct section to ask this question. Please let me know if I need to post it somewhere else. 

I recently had my property raised and the flooring re-done. Unfortunately the door frames within the property were all trimmed at different heights when they leveled the floor. Does anyone know how much it would be (roughly) to widen and heighten 4 door frames and widen to a standard door frame? 

I have tall tenants that have to duck to get into 4 different rooms. 

I need a rough estimate of what the fix would be to speak with the contractor about what they are trying to charge me for their poor quality of work. 

Post: Re-negotiating Term Agreements with Mid Term Renter

Kristy Buchanan
Posted
  • New Orleans LA, USA
  • Posts 5
  • Votes 1
Quote from @Theresa Harris:

You shouldn't be expected to keep the place vacant for 3 months while she's gone.  As it is a mid term rental, how much stuff does she have that she doesn't want to pack it up?

If she keeps her stuff there and you can't rent it as a result, she pays full rent.  If she vacates and wants to come back in Aug, then tell her she has to pay 1 month in advance and it is non-refundable.  That covers you should she not show up and gives you time to rent the place again.


 I agree with the up front, non refundable payment as well! :-) 

Post: Re-negotiating Term Agreements with Mid Term Renter

Kristy Buchanan
Posted
  • New Orleans LA, USA
  • Posts 5
  • Votes 1
Quote from @Wesley W.:

I always respond to what a tenant DOES, not what they say they will do.

I would offer her your deal of 1.5mo for 3mo in writing, and inform her that this offer will expire in 7 days.  This will give her plenty of time to finish deliberating about it. If she does not sign (and pay in full, as her items will remain in the unit leaving her will legal possession) within that alloted time, you will abide by the original agreement and she must be out by the last day of your current contract.

This way, she has to cut bait or fish, and you are not left wondering if you need to seek bookings for those three months of vacancy.

Alternately, you could tell her that she is welcome to take more time to decide while you return the unit to public offering, in the hopes of getting a full three months of revenue for that time, ans she is welcome to enter into your agreement so long as the unit has not been supsequently rented at market price.  I would keep it simple, however, and give her a week to consider your very generous 50% discount.

If she is as desirable as you suggest, she will understand you are running a business and not string you along and will put some skin in the game with her payment.  If she is not fully vacating the unit, I would not take a partial payment.  

If she pushes back, send her on her way, and return your unit to market.  If your place is as superior in your market as you claim, you'll have no problem booking it with someone less capricious.


 I reaaaallly like this response with the 7 days before she is about to move out send the notification in writing and say she has 7 days to sign and can think about it but if nothing else, I have to put the place back on the market after our term agreements. 

I am not sure I mentioned this, but the individual I am dealing with the negotiations is the mother and the tenant is a university student in 3rd year. (If this makes any difference in response) 

Thank you for this response! 

Post: Re-negotiating Term Agreements with Mid Term Renter

Kristy Buchanan
Posted
  • New Orleans LA, USA
  • Posts 5
  • Votes 1
Quote from @Kadee Gittel:

What does your agreement say? Is there a hold over clause that specifies when she has to notify you and/or pay for the consecutive months?


 Hello Kadee. I actually don't have anything in the lease about a "hold over" of her moving out and then moving back in. I only have verbiage for if someone wants to break the lease early (put in there due to previous experience with someone backing out)

Post: Re-negotiating Term Agreements with Mid Term Renter

Kristy Buchanan
Posted
  • New Orleans LA, USA
  • Posts 5
  • Votes 1

Hello Everyone! I have a mid-term renter currently in my fully furnished 1 bedroom house. She did a 1 month stay via AirBNB website, due to the fact that I can't legally go under 30 nights on the AirBNB website due to the New Orleans STR limitations. (Orleans Parish currently being sued over this).

After the 1 month agreement on airBNB, I entered into a 3 months lease agreement with the mid term guest/ renter. She has requested information as to what could be done for renewing August - December. 

I recommended that she reach out to me 1 month before she is about to move back in and then we could get a new lease signed. She did not like this answer as she wants to be guaranteed NOW that she will have a spot in August. She then tried to pull the "emotion" card by saying that it would be such a big inconvenience to move her belongings out for 3 months and not know if she can move back in in August.  She also stated there are a number of airBNB sites that she could book for August and secure now, even though shed much rather stay in my place. (I think she knows I have one of the the best places in town).

I then offered to allow her to pay for 1.5 month of the 3 months she would be away as a non-refundable holding fee to guarantee that the place is hers come August. This way she can leave her stuff there and go home to Chicago and just come back when the new semester starts.  ((She msged me back about something completely different and did say if she would be interested in agreeing to this. She seems to want to keep the relation positive with me which is good.))

I don't want a non income producing unit for 3 months, when there is always a possibility of someone else wanting the place now and for a longer term lease. However, I also know that it is possible during the summer that I can't find anyone. 

I really like the guest/ tenant and would like her to return, however, I don't feel comfortable with the way she is trying to get basically 3 months of free rent to hold her stuff OR have me agree to not sign with anyone for 3 months so that she is sure she has it in August. 

My questions are:

1. Did I handle this situation in the correct manner? 

2. Should I offer a 3rd option that is even more in favor of the tenant the ensure I have her in August - December? 

3. Or should I just completely cut my losses and have her move out for 3 months, not gather any rent for 3 months and then have her move back in for August? 

4. Or just let her let me know which of the 2 options she wants and let it go? 


At this point I really need the income to help pay the mortgage. 

Thoughts?