All Forum Posts by: Nathan Gesner

Pull up the carpet, seal the subfloor, put the carpet back down.

You can also try running an ozone generator like THIS ONE. They can work really well sometimes but other times they won't, particularly on cat urine in the subfloor.

I also recommend you wash all the walls with an odor neutralizer, particularly down low where a cat or dog may have sprayed on the walls or baseboards. Sometimes the cat urine will drip behind the baseboards and cleaning won't help unless you pull the baseboards.

You should have caught this during the inspection phase.

Yes, you learned the truth that Tenants are incapable of predicting the future. They offer to sign a longer lease to get better terms from the Landlord or to get their application approved over others. Don't buy into it.

In my experience, one year leases are the best option. I have a lease termination policy that give them two options:

1. Give 30 days notice to break lease early, pay a termination fee, and let us show the unit to potential renters. In exchange, we release them from liability and they can get a good Landlord reference and their deposit back.

2. Maintain responsibility for rent and utilities until a new tenant is placed. If we find a new tenant a week after they leave, they only pay one week of rent and utilities and can get their deposit back. If we don't find a tenant for two months, they are responsible for those two months.

I have dozens of tenants break their lease every year. I make extra money about 90% of the time because the tenants pay the termination fee (1-2 months rent) and I find a replacement tenant quickly. About 10% of the time the tenant leaves with short notice but the deposit covers the lost rent. I only lose money about 1% of the time.

People have made millions with trailers. There are millions of people that are happy to live in trailers because they are cheap. I see no problem with it as long as they are in a decent area and well maintained.

You should evict when your tenant is behind on rent the first month. Why on earth did you let it go for four months? Why on earth would you consider keeping her under Section 8?

Evict. Do it yesterday.

It doesn't matter if you are right or wrong. If your attorney says it's better to accept the deal, then accept the deal and be done with it.

If this happened in my state, I'd have no qualms about fighting it because judges actually read the law and determine guilt or innocence based on facts. You may want to consider selling and buying in a state that doesn't destroy your ability to earn an honest living.

Do you know what's more selfish than a mentor? Someone looking for a mentor!

Of course the mentor is wanting to gain something from the relationship, but so are you. The key is to provide something of value so the mentor will want to work with you. You help him, he helps you. Typically, you would help him make a little money while he provides you with an education that would otherwise be expensive, lengthy, and possibly painful. You're getting the better end of the deal.

It sounds like you have the bases covered. Once you build a reputation as a good rental, word of mouth will be huge.

If he were a tenant, you could hold him liable. If he is not a tenant, you have to go after him. He's going to end up in front of a judge. That judge will sentence him for any crimes committed and require restitution for any damage caused. But the judge can only charge him if he knows about the damage!

Contact the court clerk and explain the situation. They can provide you with the necessary forms and instructions for seeking restitution. The judge will take that into consideration during the hearing an the individual will be required to pay you for the damages or face additional punishment.

I once had an ex-boyfriend show up at one of my rentals trying to get back with his girlfriend. He kicked the front door in and caused almost $500 in damages. I filled out the forms and had a new door paid in full within 30 days.

There's no way to know. Be prepared to learn about the investor and to share what you can bring to the relationship. If it works, great! If not, try again.

If you know it's not legal, why do it? It doesn't matter how often they investigate/punish and it doesn't matter what the ramifications are. You know it's wrong so you shouldn't do it.