All Forum Posts by: Michael Smythe

@Bryan H. The City of Detroit doesn't do 1-2 family rental inspections themselves, unless tenant calls and is then bad news. They have a list on their website of who to use.

Recommend you dive into Detroit's website area about all this:

https://detroitmi.gov/departments/buildings-safety-engineeri...

@Arlene Arricaberri we have the same problems with water bills in Metro Detroit, even moreso as they are NOT allowed to be taken out of owner's name.

What we do: per our lease and management contract, we pay the bill from owner's funds (rents) and then bill the tenant. When the tenant pays, we credit to owner.

This avoids the owner being penalized via late fees and lien issues, due to tenant nonpayment.

We do charge tenant late fees and even start eviction proceedings when needed.

@Chris McClellan check out some of the great things happening in Detroit this year, one of the best cashflowing and appreciating cities in the US!

https://michiganchronicle.com/2024/01/03/major-developments-that-will-define-detroit-in-2024/

Hit me up if you'd like to know more.

@Chris Seveney fools and their money are soon parted!

We see similar issues with fools (won't call them investors) buying properties with little to no REAL research. 

They buy Class C & D properties expecting Class A results - and it's everyone else's fault when it doesn't work out.

@Frankie Betancourt need to more to give you practical advice!

How did they gain access to the property?

By LEGAL definition a squatter is someone who BREAKS into a property. 

If they were given access by an owner or other tenant, they are not legally considered a squatter.

We have a lot of experience with this in our 24-year history. So, DM me for a call about other interesting options...

@Alex Tanyi check your state and local laws about access for inspections.

Most tenants should cooperate, but Class C & D seem to make it difficult. We follow Michigan laws and post Legal Entry Notices, which leads to most of the problem tenants actually scheduling an inspection.

Why would you care at this point about prior evictions for tenants that you state are paying?

Why are utility bills in your name and not the tenants'?

Try to require a copy of tenant Drivers Licenses as part of your renewal requirement. If you do an inspection, snap a pic with your phone.

@Jeeten Afini trying NOT to be biased here, but hiring a PMC is usually the best option when you are not local to your rental(s).

The challenge is finding a GREAT PMC, which most owners screw up by focusing on the cheapest instead of doing any real deep screening.

Regarding batteries, the handyman or agent should be able to handle.

Agree with @Bruce Lynn

So, why'd you buy it? 

Results?

ROI?

@Bryan H. we manage over 300 doors in the City of Detroit, so we like to think we know what we're doing:)

They don't have a rental permit, it's called a Certificate of Compliance which you have to get every 3 years.