All Forum Posts by: Mike R.

I wouldn't renew the lease. He knows its non smoking but smoking any way tells me he doesn't care about the lease.  

i have a spreadsheet that i  update a few times a year, which does a best guess on the value of each property, profit if i sell today, estimated net rental income until i'm retired, etc.  our plan was not to sell any of the properties at retirement, but to simply have them paid off at retirement so we could live off the rental income.  i guess that could change if i saw a very compelling investment elsewhere, but with record highs on stocks and record low interest rates, i don't see what is so great about any other typical investment.  

As with our government, the idea of living within your means and saving money seem like rocket science to most people.  Middle class incomes CAN be used to create a lot of wealth if they save up enough to buy the first property, live in one of the units (now you can have roof over your head at no/low cost), which allows the investor to put less money down, etc.  All of this can be accomplished with a middle income wage.  The problem that i have witnessed is that many folks are not willing to save the money, to do the work necessary to be successful in RE and are not willing to make the sacrifices necessary to create a happy retirement.  

we avoid pets even if tenant is willing to pay non-refundable pet fee.  Case in point, allowed a dog and after she moves out, we have a MAJOR flea infestation.  We had to replace the carpet, flea bombs (so the old carpet can be removed) then exterminator followed by head to toe scrub before new carpet is laid.  pet fee won't cover costs or time.  never again.

i appreciate the folks who replied with their view that this issue isn't a big deal and should be OK for landlords, but as many folks have said there are few, if any, business that don't look to capture the largest pool of applicants so they have a better chance to find the best candidate.  And NO, running a business focused on housing is no different--this is a business not a program to provide housing to how ever wants it.  

If you think this story is simply a one-off story of crazy Seattle, read the opinion piece (on CNN website) by Tim Kaine (VP candidate for the Dems): how to make housing fair in America.  When did housing become unfair?  when renters decided they didn't want to pay the market rent?  When they felt discriminated against because they didn't have as good as credit as the next person?  I want to live in Malibu in the summer and Maui in the winter but think the rents are too high so should the Govt tell the LLs in those places to stop being unfair and discriminating against me?

yes, i have no doubt there are bad landlords that do discriminate, but i am also as confident in saying that the VAST majority of LLs are honest hard working people trying to make a business for themselves and do it by following the law/dont discriminate.  For some reason, there is a belief that the housing market is broken and the greedy LL is to blame.  Best of luck to all of us, this is going to get interesting.....

We've tried having tenants do the lawn, etc.  while several make a reasonable attempt, in the end the place never looked the way we liked and the tenant just didn't care.  Can't say I blame them...they didn't own it so what can you expect

This is only one example of the crazy leadership of that "progressive"/socialist city.  anytime the socialists of the Seattle city get involved you get what amounts to an attack on anyone that works hard and takes risks.  Best of luck to any of you honest and caring landlords in Seattle...

I would also,call BS and tell her rent is 900 but she can move out with proper notice.   Another thought is to not renew her lease and get her out asap.  If she is trying to push you around at this early stage, I suspect there will be other problems in the near future.  

I vote for Ms. May's approach.  

I can't comment on the legal aspect ( though I doubt it is legal) given I am not a lawyer, but it is dirty and I think it will cause unnecessary tenant turnover.