All Forum Posts by: Andrew G.

Ann B-The property is in a rent controlled area so I can only raise the rent by about 3-3 1/2 per year so the rent figure she started paying ten years ago set the precedent for always paying a low rent. This was further compounded by the previous owner who only raised rents every third year or so.

The prior owner was very lax at fixing anything so I've had to play a lot of catchup, the home inspection was lax too about a few things in the occupied units when the initial inspection was done. I saw the place as well but a lot of the problems were hidden such as the 'mold damage' hidden under three levels of rugs the tenant had put over it then covered with furniture so neither I nor the inspectors caught it.

J-The tenant is month to month at this point, three months have passed since the initial one year lease.

Thanks for the advice/tips, for a little more info....

The carpet looks fine, there is no mold/smell/stains or tears/wear. I am replacing the carpet in another room that 'supposedly' was damaged by a leak from an AC unit in the window....however the damage is in the center of the room.

She has never been on time with her rent ever and each time she hands the check over means a new round of requests. She rented the place ten years ago 'as is' for a low rent price and is now trying to change the goalposts and have me fix the place up for the same rent which is below market by about 25%.

The requests center on making the place 'pretty', the actual function of all the appliances/structure etc are fine. As an example she wanted a new kitchen after she botched a paint job a few years before I bought the place. I told her that would be thousands of dollars and couldn't afford it(the truth), she countered with a screen that would cover the kitchen that would be $800/900. The constant grind is wearing me thin.

Thanks again for any advice, I really appreciate and and all types of replies even though they may not lead where I want to go ;-)

I purchased a three unit place a year and three months ago, today the tenant in one unit complained that the carpet in the bedroom was soaked with water from the toilet two years ago and wants the carpet replaced.

She believes its my responsibility, I beg to differ but don't want to say either way till I have a definitive answer. The property is in LA, CA.