All Forum Posts by: Nnena O.

@Account Closed and @Marcia Maynard.  Thank you for your comments.  Depending on the specific facts of the situation, there are great nuggets of advice in each of your positions.

While I tend to agree with Marcia about my right to sue for unpaid rent, I think I'll probably pass--just because I think that the financial burden to pursue the lawsuit would end up being more than the rent that the tenant owed, even if I win.  I have the tenant's security deposit which will reduce the financial sting (thanks for the tips on how to keep this without running afoul of the security deposit laws).

I'll definitely take a financial hit in this -- luckily I am able to absorb it.  But most important to me are the invaluable lessons I have learned for moving forward as a landlord.

@Marcia Maynard and @David Dachtera.  It seems like your position is the majority one.  It is helpful to be reminded every so often that running the numbers and looking at the cost/benefit of one's actions is really important.  Thank you for your comments.

@Account Closed.  Thanks for your comments, Sue.  I may actually go this route.  Part of my doing so would also be for the education and experience.  If it becomes too costly, I'll cut my losses.

@Jaysen Medhurst.  Yes, indeed--the cost of education.  First time being a landlord and I didn't heed the advice of the more experienced here on Bigger Pockets.  Lots of lessons learned.  Thanks for your comment.

I bought my first duplex in Pittsburgh last July.  Tenants were already in place.  Downstairs tenant was almost always late, but eventually paid the rent and late fee.  I am an out-of-town landlord--my brother, who lives in Pittsburgh, handles some things if I need an in-person visit to the property.

Anyway, in March I didn't get the rent and the tenant did not reply to my inquiries.  Because she had always come through with the rent, I figured she was just late.  In addition, I didn't have the bandwidth at the time to be proactive.  Towards the end of April I asked the upstairs tenant, and she said that she had not seen the downstairs tenant for a while and didn't think she lived there anymore.  I asked my brother to check it out and when he got there, the apartment was totally empty--but clean (especially for someone who had lived there for 6 years)!  I have still not heard from her despite numerous letters and phone calls.

My question is whether I have any chance of recouping March, April, and May rent (I am hoping to get the apartment rented by the 15th of this month)?  The lease from the previous landlord had expired and I did not resign the lease when I took over, so she was a tenant at will.  Anybody out there familiar with Pennsylvania/Pittsburgh law?

I know I made a lot of mistakes with this and have learned quite a bit in the process.  But I would like to find a way to recoup the three months rent that I lost because I didn't know that she had left.

Thanks for your comments.

@Joe Splitrock  I really like your perspective about this.  

It's a hard adjustment to make for me.  My (day) profession involves helping underrepresented people of limited means--many of the very people that I have to deny in my tenant screening.  But I have to remember to take off that hat and put on my business hat.

I guess once the tenants have actually been placed, then maybe I can be more free to succumb to my naturally compassionate side, by being a responsible and respectful (albeit professional and businesslike) landlord.

I hear you @Kimberly H..  I am in the process now--my first attempt at placing tenants.

Lots and lots of interest.  Few people actually follow through.  It's hard to say "no" to the ones that do follow through--especially when they have families.  Some are easier than others to deny, but in the end, this is a business, and they will eventually find a place to live--just not mine.

Thanks for your post and for the details.

@Dan Smith "Yesterday I served them a 30 day notice to quit. So the very latest they will be in my apartment is the end of Feb. My original question is the key take away that I'm trying to get. I'm looking for advice on how to show them that they do, in-fact, owe me the 1200 that we agreed on."

Sorry for the tough spot you are in, Dan.  I wanted to post, based on the comments above that you made.  First, it doesn't sound like they "agreed" to anything--and any kind of "agreement" would have to be in the form of a writing (a lease, for instance).  Even if they told that they would do it, you can't rely on that in court.  So, I am not sure that you are correct in your statement that they do, in fact, owe you the $1,200.

Secondly, your eviction of them will likely take much longer than to the end of February.  In addition to many of the procedural maneuvers that they can use to delay, a judge will probably not readily be sympathetic to your side due to the steep increase.  Financially, you should be prepared for holding costs for several months.

If these are good tenants (clean, pay on time, etc.), you could try weaning them out with smaller increases, instead of forcing them out with the steep increases.

Good luck!

@Michael Lee Thanks for your comments.  I have a similar philosophy about life.

It's just that I am new to real estate investing and I know that gut feelings can be financially dangerous.  But, I guess, once you have crunched the numbers, they are what they are and I have to make a decision about whether I am comfortable with them.

In this specific case (with the amount at issue relatively small), I guess the decision, either way, wouldn't be horrible.

@Angela Holstien What would a joint venture partnership entail?  How would that work for a buy and hold?