All Forum Posts by: Linda S.

@Patrick Chiles,

I'd happily rent to section 8-- it's essentially a lifelong program, so if a tenant is rough on a house,  they'll probably live there for a long time, so it's worth the risk.     The charity program is a year.    I felt like I was conned because they said it was 2-3 years... nope, it's 1.  House trashed in 1 year!   

As @James Wise said, they will do 5-10x the amount of damage to your house, I wish people could really see first hand and understand!      It's absolutely not worth it!  You don't really know, until you experience that level of filth first hand.

 The last person I ended it with last month (YAY FINAL ONE!!!)-- purposely threw a few pieces of bread behind the hot water heater to get roaches/bugs -- guess what, it worked-- roach infestation.      I now have to call an exterminator, great--- double security deposit is a joke compared to the damage done!   If they don't leave on time, you're out completely as that has to cover rent.   Our worst one I'd estimate cost me about $3,000, on top  of double security deposit-- wanna get money from a person without a job?  It's a joke!  

These people play by different rules,  don't think you'll be an exception, you won't.. you'll just learn why people like me are so salty! 

@Patrick Chiles

I actually participated in this program with 10 houses last year, and yes-- I always got rent during COVID, got double security deposit, and we had 1 success story (maybe 2).    They sell you rainbows, yes-- feel good, warm and fuzzies, helping the community, guaranteeing rent, getting people back on their feet...   

After participating myself, let me tell you with 100% certainty there is NO CHANCE IN H*** I WOULD EVER DO IT AGAIN!   ZERO. NADA.        Don't' call it a charity-- call it what it is … "Free Rent Ride for 1 year"-- and btw the tenants and the program get  PISSED at you for not renewing , and  the charity withhold the last month rent.

If a person doesn't actively have skin in the game, there is ZERO respect for your house.   Also, it's not them you're helping, it's them-- and likely their BF, and sister, and her 5 kids are also moving in.       I had beautiful renovations TRASHED within 1 year, when I say trashed-- I mean TRASHED, had to repaint/refloor after 1 year-- damage so bad, gosh I don't even know how it happens.    Absolutely disgusting!   It's not worth it, the amount of damage done to a house!   I would NEVER recommend the program to any new landlord.   I'm so glad to wash my hands with the program, seriously, it's NOT a warm and fuzzy story.    I had pest control on 3 houses, only when they move out-- tenants never let them in, so it was a crazy mice infestation and another was a really bad roach problem!  It's absolutely disgusting.

Also-- if you have to do an eviction (I had to with 3) the charity walks away, no help whatsoever.   It's a crock of ___.

@Kundan Chand,

I definitely understand, I just hired a company to clean.. they were there for 3 hours, wanted to charge me $250-- when I checked their work, it was really crappy, i'm sorry-- but as a cleaner, you job is to remove gum off the floor.   I  asked them when they'd finish, and they said they aren't.   Crappy cleaners  absolutely exist, and if you can see it in person-- you SHOULD,  pictures can be deceiving.     Have this be a learning lesson--- don't ever pay until you see!

I'd apologize to the tenant-- tell them you'll never use them again, and offer to send another cleaning company, or do $150 or so off rent next month.   99% chance they'll take the $150off rent, which will be cheaper than bringing in a new cleaner!

@Nathan Gesner

We bought a house almost exactly like that-- stuff was piled up like 3-4 ft high throughout the house, and even in the attic too!    Wife died, kept all the stuff, husband died, kept all the stuff, sister moved in-- added even more stuff... then she got kicked out, it was just a lot of stuff!!!

  It's crazy when your life turn into a real life episode of Hoarders!     I think I'm just jaded now as a landlord with the crap i see, as that pic doesn't phase me... just trash, everything goes to the dump!

@Heather Rodden,

Not sure about your state laws, but we ONLY do Month to month-- that was our saving grace last year.  People ask if that affects me, and I tell them-- nope, if someone stops paying (obviously we work with them to keep them there!), we have the option to end it. 

  I'd strongly recommend doing that, as people move if they want to move, and it gives you power back as a landlord if anything goes south.

 I'd pick #2, no pets and I'm guessing is more familiar with the area.   Anyone who is already planning their exit,  I don't really like, turnover sucks.

FYI we always focus on job income/stability as the most important thing, so especially with everything happening last year-- which job is more stable?

@Luke Boff,

Cinderblock houses are solid rentals, but can be a PITA to fix plumbing/electrical, and obviously not one really prefers to live with cinderblock walls, so rents will need to be cheaper to be competitive.

@Mace Moseley,

You have to be strategic , and know how to play the game... #1 to a bank is safety-- job security/income, get a reliable/stable job, after a year or two, save up the 3-5% of a house, then go to the bank and see how much they will loan you for your first SFH. Do this 4-5x, all the sudden you have a nice little portfolio with minimal cost/effort!

@Shanice Waller,

When I started, I included them in all of them!  I mean-- I always expected it to be in there, and wouldn't rent a place without a W/D.... now I understand why people don't include them.   I will say, without a doubt, 5 years and self managing 50+ units-- they are a huge PITA to maintain.   No other appliance got as many maintenance calls, as if you do C/D-- people often treat them like they do W/D at the laundry mats-- put as much stuff in as possible so you only have to do 1 load.    You will get complaints.   People are more respectful of it, if it's their own long term investment.  

That being said, I say it's not included, but can be at +$50/month.    This price point gives me extra income to plan for the maintenance call, and the option for them to buy their own.  I strongly encourage people to buy their own, it's cheaper for them in the long run, and it's more likely they'll take care of it.     If it's in, I would advertise it as +$50/mo to include them,  but offer tenants the option to bring their own.  

I happily take less if they bring their own, 2 less maintenance calls!

@Collin Wilson,

It's very clear what's going on, they have learned if they complain enough-- they get money back.       It's a balance between what is fair, and what is unreasonable.     

I would absolutely stand firm  and offer them to leave for free, as if they are going to nitpick-- this isn't the place for them.   I'd CC the guarantor, as again they sound like high maintenance, and PS-- a lot of stuff won't be brand new, the house isn't brand new.    They will ask "Are you going to fix this?"-- No.    No explanation needed, no need to be defensive, no.     If you say yes, it's a slippery slop of a PITA tenant.  Again-- if it's reasonable-- like a smoke detector, you get that fixed ASAP,  and also include a fire extinguisher while you're at it!

 When I sign a lease-- I point out something not perfect, and say "Look, I know this place isn't perfect,  but the price reflects it, if you want perfect, you can find it-- it will cost  + $200-$500/more on rent."   It sets the tone with new tenants.