All Forum Posts by: Linda S.

@Joe S.,

When tenants move in, I always leave a spray bottle of Green Gobbler for potential plumbing clogs, and Home Defense Bug Spray.  I  tell them specifically -- "I want you to have resources, if you see a bug, spray the area, if you see it again-- spray it the next day,  if that's not working, go to Walmart get something else-- if that doesn't work, then call me, don't call me because you saw an ant-- use the spray and treat the problem.   I'm giving your resources to take care of it immediately so you don't have to wait on a maintenance technician."    

  This has saved us a ton, and I think it also improves tenant satisfaction because they can immediately fix the problem. Some people might say it's a waste of money and tenants can just buy themselves, but when you manage as many properties I do-- it's 100% worth it to cut down on calls, and again-- improve tenant satisfaction and their quality of life! If I spend say $100 on bug spray, but it saved me from a couple maintenance calls-- it's absolutely worth it!  I use the same stuff in my personal home!

Also, as proper protocol, before any tenant moves in, we always bug bomb, even if we don't see anything-- better to be on the safe side!  It's $6 and completely worth it.

@Dorys Prentice,

People  like that are itching for a law suit.   I'd be as nice, and VAGUE as possible.   A simple 
"Thank you for the email, we're currently reviewing all applications."   works great.    I hate people like that,  when you know they are out to get someone, and you just hope it's not you.   Be as general/nonspecific as possible, this is an applicant-- you don't owe them anything more than professionalism.

@Dorys Prentice,

I have a general rule-- Regardless of everything else-- if I don't like working with someone during the application process, I don't rent to them.  If I don't like working with you now, I won't like you in the future.     I self-manage, so communication and respect is #1.  It sounds like you're telling them the rules-- all 18+ adults need a background check, and he's saying.. nope, you just get mine.     That's kind of the middle finger, and I would immediately throw it out.    It sets the tone for the entire relationship, no thanks.

If you're asking for other needed paperwork, and they tell you no, or don't send it-- that's not your fault it's an incomplete application.  Know your state laws,  but you don't have to rent to everyone who wants your house.    I don't understand the stress, unless you or the tenant is making it about race?   Again-- know your state laws.  

If you want more applicants, drop the rent and get a new influx of applicants! 

@Taylor Wrice-Brooks,

Be ready for a lot of competition, it's a VERY HOT market.     Tons of development/growth everywhere, and rent is only going up.   As far as where would be best, all depends on the type of rental you're after A/B/C/D!   Manchester and south of the river IMO over the past 10 years is the biggest shock, it's gone from kind of run-down to the new cool place with tons of development.     Drive down and see for yourself!

@Thomas Vida,

The tenant is likely applying for a house costing approximately $900/mo, and wants her application to be strongest because then it will better.     Then the other PMs will say, well-- you're used to paying $900/mo, so it should be a comfortable financial fit!

That being said, no--  I wouldn't lie and say it's more than it is.     You have nothing to gain.   This has nothing to do with the IRS, just about integrity. 

@Piper D.,

Whatever your lease states is your answer.   If your lease said you include them, it's 100% your cost and you must maintain the appliance at whatever cost it is to you.   

When I started, we always included washers and dryers, I mean-- I'd expect them to be be included, so we included them... no one else really seemed to include them, so I thought of it as a market edge.    

Without a doubt, people can be ROUGH on them.   Without a doubt, washer/dryers are the biggest appliance that breaks and we get calls on.     People tend to treat them like laundromats, where they just add as much as possible, to minimize the  amount of loads.     That being said, we leave the ones "as-is" and tell the tenants, I hope you get 5+ years with no problems, but if it breaks-- these machines aren't guaranteed or maintained, and you'll have to buy your own.   This is what we do for any lower end unit.     Also, if your place has one-- and it's abnormal convenience, people have their friends come over to do their laundry, I've seen it all! 

 If it's a nicer area rental, we'll say we can include them for +$50/mo,  that's the price point 90% of people say they'll buy their own, and it's their choice!   Everyone wins! Hope this helps!

@Todd Handriegh,

It's not fun, and it's the dark side of the business.   A lot of landlords take pride in how quickly they are to pull out the eviction card...  it's not about being hard/soft, it's about what works for you.  Landlord/tenant relationships are built on trust.      If they are late, talk to them-- maybe they had unexpected medical bills, maybe a funeral, maybe a car accident/problems?   TALK TO THE TENANT.   Were they planning on paying you next week?    Can you take $200 now, and say $800 next week or in 2 weeks on their next pay check? -- This is where the TRUST comes in.    

If they got laid off, but got a new job starting next week-- can you pro-rate this month's rent over the next 3-4 months?      Does your state have rent relief programs you can apply for?         Sure, some people can say "it's just part of the business" but you know what-- this might be your house, but it's THEIR HOME-- respect that.    

That being said, yes-- I have kicked out people and they remind you "i have no where to go" and yes, it feels ugly-- but this is only after exhausting all your options discussed above.   Remember-- people have choices, choices have consequences.   They chose to pay their cell phone bill over you, they chose to pay Netflix over you, they CHOSE  this scenario.

@Dustin Corbett,

I've never done commercial, very heavy into low income rentals and multi-family, but let me say as a very seasoned landlord.   We started with  our first duplex gut job for $15K, 5 -years ago  (now appraised for $125K) , no one wanted to touch it.. but honestly,  once you survive a horrible scenario, everything else seems kind of easy-- you know the saying "when it rains, it pours"---- I have  updated version for landlords specifically... "when it rains, it hurricanes"   as in it won't just be a cute single, expected problem, it will be about 4 big problems, 3 medium ones and a surprise vacancy of 2 units all within a month, something crazy like that and it's going to test your wallet!   

As long as you have access to a lot of capital to fund renovations, vacancy, and unexpected items, not to mention can handle the stress,  and trust me--t will be a lot, and it's a lot of stuff no one  (except BP!) will be really able to understand and relate... It's going to be a sink or swim, I hope you swim!  I say go for it!  After this, everything else will seem easy!

@Rashee D.,

It's obvious something happened that caused her to be late.    Stand up and state the obvious-- you're the landlord.   You aren't just a neighbor, or middle man.

I'd post something on her door,  stating that she has 24-hours to let you know the situation, or you will start the eviction process.   I'd bet her car broke down, medical emergency, something like that-- and most importantly she'll tell you when she plans to pay.   If she's  a good tenant and plans to live there, it's likely she understands rent is owed, and will pay with the late fee.  I wouldn't waste money on lawyers until you know it's serious and she will need to be evicted.     I emphasize with tenants, we're on the same team-- I want you to stay there ($$$),  kicking you out doesn't help me.   Now if she's a bad tenant and you're looking for an excuse, start the process. 

@Alfredo Alfaro,

It's easy, treat people equal or better than you want to be treated.  

We have a separate business line/cell phone, and it's the best!  I don't like giving our my personal line, and I don't like giving the google # because then you don't know if it's a personal or business call.  I don't like blocking my number before calls, so it just makes things so much easier-- especially when it comes to screening.  I  strongly prefer texting, it's easy to keep track of what is requested/when, and your exact response.   I don't want my tenants knowing my personal number, and I don't want to accidentally call/text them.   I wish I would have done this from the beginning!   

I tell people I'm the owner, no need for he said/she said stuff-- listen to your tenants, give them the benefit of the doubt.  Mutual respect-- if they say something is wrong, FIX IT QUICKLY.  It sets the tone .   They are your eyes and ears!   You should expect things to break, and be okay with and ready to fix it.   

Be okay with being the bad guy, you're the person who takes a lot of their money, they already dislike you!