All Forum Posts by: Mike Adams

So what you are dealing with sounds like a pissing match, with possession maneuvers on both sides (one party is "claiming" the space with pools & bikes, the other demanding the kids/ party never use the driveway space). It is reasonable to have guidelines on parties (ie Fri/Sat only, ending no later than 9pm, no more than 12 people, etc), waivable with permission from the other tenant (nothing makes people more polite than wanting something from the other party).  

I'm assuming that FMV is being charged on both units, and that one pays 4x simply because it's larger. Both tenants should have equal rights to shared space. You should probably require that for safety and liability reasons a clear path of a specific width (ie 3 feet) be left on one side of the driveway at ALL times (no bikes, no pool, no BBQ). Also, next time a complaint is made, offer the PITA party that since they are unhappy at the place, ONE TIME ONLY they can have the next 30 days as a no penalty, "free to move at any time" window (ie no 30 day notice needed). Often when presented with an open door the people realizes the issues aren't worth moving over.

Seems so. They are in two separate buildings. The one in the back is smaller, so he pays less than the building in the front. The guy in the front building is only paying 4x more because he has more space, a lot more space.  I am at the point where I may have to offer something. In all of our units we manage, the guy in this front home is an absolute nightmare. He complained that his AC is not efficient enough, so he wants to know when we will be replacing it with a more efficient one. 

Hi Mike,

Perhaps call the guy on the phone and do two things:

1. Ask him to tone down the things that are annoying the other renter/manager (no threats, just ask).

2. Tell him kids pools are not allowed in the driveway, if the basement has a concrete floor with a drain, perhaps that would be a fun spot...(if kids are allowed down there).

Let the manager know exactly what was said, and see how things go for the next few months.

Turns are expensive, and sometimes it might be the bird you know is better than the one in the bush.

Good Luck!

We've been working with both tenants and we're trying to calm things down. So far, it's been much quieter. However, now the guy in the main unit is looking for us to better insulate his apartment. Some days, it feels the tenants are very entitled and expect the world.

His question wasn't whether he should self manage or hire a PM, his question was between software and a PM. Software doesn't do the things I listed. If he wants to do those things or hire them done, then I agree he can self manager. The point is if you self manage, you are spending your time instead of paying a PM. 

@Raj P. I think you are misunderstanding what all-in-one means. These are software tools for YOU or a property manager to manage a property. They don't replace the human. All that software means is YOU will become the property manager, just with tools to help you do the job. You may view it as saving money every month, but you will be trading your time. It could also cost you more to self manage through costly mistakes. A property manager has experience with hundreds or thousands of properties and tenants. That experience allows them to think critically to solve problems and avoid mistakes. 

So here is what YOU will be doing remotely:

- Taking photos of the property and loading them in software to list for rent

- Writing advertising text for the listing

- Determining rent price and approval criteria

- Applying local laws in your management

- Screening prospective tenants for showing

- Showing the property

- Verifying application information such as contacting employers and previous landlord

- Making approval or denial decisions based on applications

- Communicating with the applicant from application to approval or denial

- Setting up the lease and getting it signed

- Getting the locks changed at the property and getting the tenant their key

- Doing a move in inspection with the tenant

- Collecting rent, which is easy when people are paying. If they fail to pay rent, you need to call them or have someone stop at the property. In a worse situation you need to post notice on the door or evict.

- Inspections while the tenant lives there

- Determine validity of service requests. The tenant can report problems through a portal, but someone still needs to dispatch the appropriate service person to fix the problem. Handyman, plumber, electrician, HVAC. Some requests may be upgrades instead of repairs, so someone needs to approve maintenance requests. Large repairs need multiple bids, so you don't want software automatically dispatching people to the job site. What if the service person shows up and the tenant doesn't let them in? Who coordinates times and works through no-show issues by the service person.

- When tenant gives notice to vacate, someone needs to do a move out inspection. If items are not cleaned or damaged, someone needs to photograph and calculate costs for security deposit deductions. All these items need to be addressed prior to listing the property for rent.

David, you're wrong. 

I'll give you a local, simple example. Single female in a 2bedroom apartment that rents for $750. She lost her job as a waitress that paid $2,400 a month.

The first stimulus check was $1,200. Wyoming unemployment pays 4% of the highest quarter, which comes to $288 per week, $1,152 per month. Combine those two and she made $2,352 that first month.

Then add the $600 per week unemployment boost. That brought her income to $4,752 in her first month and $3,552 her second month. In two months of not working, she brought home $8,304 which is equivalent to 3 1/2 months of income and puts her ahead. She stopped paying rent when she lost her job but kept insisting she would catch up once the stimulus and unemployment money arrived. She didn't. After six weeks of promises and excuses, she cut off communication. We gave her notice and she moved out two weeks later. That's eight weeks with no rent payments despite the $8,304 she received. Our economy opened back up, she got two jobs right away, and - surprise, surprise - she is now driving around town in a 2020 Honda.

Poverty wage? Flipping burgers and waiting tables doesn't pay well because my 14-year-old can do it. Those jobs take no special skills or education and are intended to be entry-level jobs. If a 30-year-old is still working a "poverty level" position, it's because they don't want to put effort into improving their position in life. Anyone in America has the option of gaining a little education or skill and moving up the ladder. They could work a second entry-level job to build up capital instead of spending their time drinking with friends, binge-watching Game of Thrones, or spending $600 on tattoos. You know what I love about immigrants? They can enter this country with $7 in their pocket, no English, and no connections, yet they'll work their butt off and fight their way into the middle class while praising America for all the opportunities. Our own youth (and a growing number of adults) seem to think everyone has a right to be middle-class without putting in the effort. It's one of the ugliest things about our country and the spoiled youth we've raised.