All Forum Posts by: Mattie Covatch

I don't require that they have insurance, but I make them initial and sign several pages worth of disclaimers and waivers saying they provide their own insurance and I'm not liable for anything. (In the lease, not reality, I know.)

I've never lived in a rental property that required it, only had places "recommend it."

I've never accepted calls before. Adding a number could make my ad look more legitimate, so that's worth a try. I have a free local Google Voice number that I can use.

Usually I run an e-mail address to find their Facebook, Twitter, etc. before I even let them look at the place. And their name through court records. It's amazing how much dirt some people have.

5 serious calls each time? Ah. Good to know.

This probably isn't the most popular time to move either.

Maybe I'm getting the normal rate. I get so many junk replies it seems like I'm getting no qualified tenants. I get inquiries who googling their name brings up their court record. I don't even let them look at the property. I get smokers. I get pets.

I am alienating a lot of the rental market since I want someone with a job, a specific gender, and a non-smoker with no pets.

It seems like I got more inquiries last time, but I guess it wasn't winter then.

Ah, yes, the "hold it for me" never works. I learned the hard way on that one once too. They apply, get approved (or not), sign lease, pay rent and deposit.... then I'll hold it a few weeks.

Glad you found one good tenant out of the two.

Ricks DiMarco

Ah, that probably is true that photos = more responses and Craigslist = plenty of crap responses anyway. I guess I'll try posting pics and filter out the crap responses again. I haven't phone interviewed yet either. Usually I google their name/email/phone before giving them the address, and e-mail them back and forth at least twice asking what they want in roommates/etc.

How long does it usually take you to rent a room?

I casually advertised it some in December, now advertise it often. I don't have someone for February 1 yet. Why, I'm not sure...

1) Charge late fee and proceed with eviction if needed, based on your lawyer's advice. Tenant has no reason not to pay rent.

2) Your lease should mention not flushing things that shouldn't be flushed. If so, charge tenant repair fees.

3) Couldn't you tell tenant to call animal control? It's happening outside the property. Or tell him to put a brick on top of the trash.

One of the places I lived had outdoor racoons. I never thought about complaining to the landlord, much less not paying rent.

I've had responses without photos in the past. When I post photos, I get plenty of responses-- but bad responses. People try to say anything to live here. "Oh, I smoke, but only outside." "Oh, I have a dog but it's clean." It's like they don't even read the description when I include photos. I almost don't like to post photos for this very reason. People who aren't a good match claim to be just to live in a nice place. I want inquiries, but good matches. Not people who act like they meet the requirements, come look at it, then say "Oh, I smoke" or "Oh, I have a pet" and waste my time. It almost seems that no photos means people don't give me b.s., and I get more real inquiries who really read the listing description. With no photos, people seem to read.

It's worth a try to post photos to see if I get some good matches. But what else?

What else can I do to get good matches (non-smokers, employed, no pets, etc.)?

Should I have a lower rent price then have them split utilities?

Lower the bills paid price?

Are there better places to find *quality* roommates other than Craigslist?

Is it normal for Craigslist people not to read the listing at all?

Do quality tenants really just start looking for a place only 2 weeks before moving?

I have a nice house that's cheap and better than nearby rentals. Rent is comparable to nearby rooms for rent. Actually, it's a little cheaper than many.

I don't include photos on craigslist yet, instead e-mailing them upon inquiry.

I don't accept pets, want one roommate only, no evictions, and it's non-smoking only, so I'm eliminating a good chunk of the rental market already.

Any tips for getting more (and better) inquiries?

Should I reduce rent?

If so, how much? Should I knock $10 or $20 off and see what happens?
This room is "bills paid" already.

Should I allow rent?

Wait a while?

My room is occupied now, but I need to find a new tenant for February 1.

Do people often search for rooms so close to move-in?

Should I expect to not have a roommate for February? We're at the 2 weeks away mark, and I wonder if there's really any chance I'll find a decent tenant/roommate who can move in within 2 weeks that I want to live with.

Both. Owner/landlord in a roommate situation with tenants (shared living room, kitchen, etc.).

For a roommate situation with a tenant...

How would you handle utilities?

Set a "flat bills paid rate" rent that includes all utilities?

Have a lower rate of rent, then split the utilities by number of occupants?

Do you say "bills paid, up to..." with a cap on utilities that will be paid?

Utility bills for the house in question are pricey.
Electricity can top $500/600 per month during peak months
Turning the thermostat up to 80 during the summer is still $350/month
Natural gas used only to heat showers is $50-80 a month
Water is at least $100 a month winter, $300 summer (sprinklers)
Internet is $50 a month

I know "bills paid" is never a good idea, as tenants won't be efficient.
But, "all bills paid" is the norm in this area for roommates.

I've had roommates pay in cash before.

I think it depends on the tenant and neighborhood.

In the hood or with seedy tenants, no, I wouldn't take cash, and definitely not at night.

- Could get jumped by tenant or their friend
- Could get fake bills
- Could get tenant saying they paid but didn't--- I would give a receipt.
- Could be a tenant who just likes cash, or budgeted bank account.

If it's a respectable tenant in a safe, classier neighborhood, I would likely accept cash. At least cash doesn't bounce like checks.. if it's legit cash bills.

If seedier tenant or neighborhood, I would probably accept money order or deposit of cash to a tenant deposit account at bank.