All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

I keep all security deposits in a special trust account. They are not touched until the tenant moves out. If I ever get sued (knock on wood), this account cannot be levied, because it isn't my money. It belongs to the tenants. 

I'm a Property Manager and @Account Closed's answer is spot on. None of my clients have ever asked for a signed checklist and pics, but I do those things anyway and would be happy to send them a copy, if they asked. I can't imagine your PM refusing.

When my handyman moved out of town, I put a notice up on my personal Facebook page. A friend recommended someone she knew and he is the best handyman I've ever had. Worth a try.

This is for a vacation rental I manage:

Weekend renters called me right after Friday check-in and complained that there were only 2 bathrooms. I explained to them that the ad clearly states "2 bathrooms".

They wanted me to "fix the problem" or give them some money back. I refused.

I think they actually thought I was going to build them a bathroom that night. Sheesh.

I could go on for weeks with all the ridiculous things vacation home renters say.

We always change the detector batteries during our 6 month inspections, so they rarely beep in the meantime. If they do, the tenants change them. It is in their lease. We are switching over to the 10 year batteries anyway, so that won't even be an issue at some point.

If a plunger doesn't work on the toilet, I call the plumber and the tenant pays for it. Light bulbs and detector batteries, the tenants need to change.

Definitely put in the lease that anything they break will be repaired by you and the tenant must pay for it.

I don't allow tenants to do any maintenance. If they mess it up, they could cause a flood, or a fire, or just do a really bad looking job. Or worse, get themselves electrocuted.

My lease has this spelled out so there are no misunderstandings.

You should check with your city business license dept. You probably have to pay TOT (transient occupancy taxes), or whatever they call them there. It is usually the same taxes hotels have to pay. You may also need a business license.

You might be able to find out this info on their website.

You have to file an unlawful detainer. There's no way around it.

You are allowed to take multiple applications. 

You never declined showing the place to him. You never declined taking his application. You never declined renting to him. So, I don't see the problem. Be sure to document everything that happened in detail, just in case. But I doubt anything will come of it.