All Forum Posts by: Michelle Fenn

We are in Cleveland and have 2 large rentals that the owners will allow us to accept section 8 due to the posted market rate. The problem is our local provider.  Here in Cleveland they barely answer the phone and are taking 2 weeks to even open the package, and then there is a 30-60 day wait to get approval.   Eden housing is 3 weeks processing,  but the Parma housing authority is only 7-10 days to process.  With this information in hand we would obviously prefer a Parma voucher.    I would assume we would get in trouble with Fair Housing Authority if we advertised for a Parma Voucher.  

Anyone else having this kind of issue in their areas.

Just this morning I was informed that a tenant had passed away.   This is the second time I have received this information in the past month.    The first was a single mother of a 7 year old.   She had expressed to me that Covid was stressing her out, clean for years she started taking drugs and overdosed.    Today we were told that a former school teacher of disabled children, fell down the stairs the result of alcohol poisoning.  Over the past 6 month almost at all the duplexes we manage. there are issues with the the other tenants in the home.   Reports of child abuse are down 40%.    As a former social worker, I am becoming very aware that as landlords and property managers we are becoming the first line of defense to protect vulnerable tenants. I am now making a point of contacting Children's Services when I observe problems in a rental unit.    I can not be the only property manager dealing with this.    I think it would helpful be for us to share ideas on how to handle these tragic situations.  

Our problem is that many eviction attorney's are not willing to take on an eviction with the CDC moratorium.

In Cleveland that just changed the law in 2020 to state that the owners name must be on the 3 day notice of the eviction court will throw out the filing.    

A garage on a FHA appraisal adds about 2,000 per parking spot. On a double or triple having a garage rarely makes a difference to potential renters. I notice that they are rarely used. To much trouble to figure out who gets what space.

I am a realtor and property manager, I can be helpful in Cuyahoga, Summit and Lorain counties.    I not only sell and manage I own over a dozen properties of my own.   Been doing this since 2009, I a have seen the bottom and now the top.   1031 Swap is a wonderful thing.   Feel free to reach out to me for advise. 

I would recommend Garfield Hts, before 44128 zip. The Cleveland zip has the advantage of no Point of Sale but I have no problems in obtaining good tenants for Garfield Hts SFH. Garfield has POS but no escrow. Maple Hts has a POS and escrow. Over the past few months our group has had problems in finding tenants to meet our minimum 550 credit score on the east side of Cleveland and 44118 areas of Cleveland Hts. If you are interested in Cleveland I would recommend 44109 Old Brooklyn area on the west side of Cleveland.

I have sent multiple emails to my Senator  and what I get in return is his standard policy statement on housing that has little to do with concerns over the eviction moratoriums.

Present them with the 30 day notice of termination of tenancy and  a cash for keys offer to help them move.   You may need to find an attorney that will take on your case.   Since there is so many unanswered questions resulting from the CDC order, I am hearing that many attorney's are refusing to accept eviction cases. 

The law of unattended consequences will make it's appearance. 

Rents will increase to compensate landlords for the increased risk.  Renters will have less security as more leases are written as Month to Month.  Finally there will be less rentals available as many landlords elect to sell rather than face an uncertain future.  Just today two potential rentals were turned into listings once the owners were informed of the CDC eviction moratorium.