All Forum Posts by: Marc Winter

@Darius Inge, if it is common practice for a landlord to pay a tenant's utilities in your area, then consider lowering the asking rent to make the increase in expenses a bit more palatable to the new tenant.

Personally, I would NEVER recommend any landlord paying for a tenant's utilities!  People who get stuff for free are NOT conservationists.  

In other words, while I wear sweats around my house in the winter, I've been to houses where the owner pays the heat and find the tenants walking around in boxers and t-shirts. Sometimes with the window open because 'it's too hot' in here.  

Hmmm... perhaps try turning down the thermostat?  Nope, never occurred to them.  "Let the landlord turn it down".

Same thing with water...  many tenants will not report a 'run-on' toilet.  When the owner gets a 2x or 3x higher bill, he asks our maintenance staff to inspect for leaks.  

They ask the tenant about the toilet.  The response?  "Oh, right, I was going to call the office about that.  Just forgot."

So unless you are buying a highrise building or large complex where nothing is sub-metered, I'd say let the tenant pay

Good luck with your investment project.

@David Bruce, you can usually find websites if you check the person's bio here.  Mine is    www.LandmarkMgmtServices.com

This is a fairly common problem.  If you know for sure which tenant is doing the dumping, send them a lease violation and stipulate it must be cleaned up within 48 hours, and you will be doing an inspection

If it is not cleaned up, you will have maintenance remove the debris and the tenant will be charged for their time and disposal fees.

If you are NOT positive which tenant it is, send a letter to all tenants reminding them that common areas are to be kept clear of trash, boxes, bicycles or any personal property.  It is a health and safety issue, and if it continues, the item(s) will be removed by maintenance and every tenant will be charged a proportional amount of that expense.  (Ask at the bottom of the letter if they know which tenant is doing the dumping, and let them know it will be kept confidential.)

Finally, don't be afraid to post a Notice to Quit if they don't comply.

@David Bruce, you can usually find websites if you check the person's bio here.  Mine is    www.LandmarkMgmtServices.com

Depending on your municipality, you will need drawings, permits and approval of use and c/o before you can rent out an additional unit.

It's possible that your town/city does not allow 2-family units where your subject is located.

You would be wise to go downtown and speak with the zoning officer and the licensing/permits inspector BEFORE you start any work.

It is common practice to ask for repairs or credit for items that will need fixing.  Example:  13 year old water heater has one foot in the grave.  Normal life is 6-8 years.  Not sure an insurance company would actually cover a 13 yr old unit.

Older furnace--have it checked by a licensed plumber and check the chimney--must be lined.

One rule in negotiation to remember--if you don't ask, you don't get.

Good luck with your purchase!

I'm with @Chad Hale--always 30 days.

I've come across the same situation several times.  

That's when started to investigate manufactured homes.  

Please don't look down your nose at these--they are NOT trailers or double wides.  They are manufactured in a huge factory to spec.  They can be set on a foundation, and all you need is a small setup crew, plumber and electrician.  Done.  

Pricing is the same or better than stick-built.  I suggest you take a tour of some manufacturers--it will blow your mind.

"My dog ate my homework!"  "The check is in the mail!"

Look at their bank statements and/or deposit receipts from the bank.  If they come up with any excuse for not being able to produce that proof, I'd bet a donut they are just plain lying.

The problem here is that our new president has extended the non-eviction moratorium until the end of June for non-payment.  A solution would be to go and inspect the unit and find something that is a lease violation.  Perhaps you could evict on that.

You've got to Ask for what you want. "Do you have an IRA or savings account that is not getting you the return you want?"

You can take it from there.