All Forum Posts by: Dick Stevens

I need to have an old foundation in a rental house repaired and repointed.  This is the interior foundation from the basement.  The height of the foundation wall is about about 5 feet of stone and then 3 feet of brick.  The old lime based mortar is deteriorating— stone needs repointing and some of the brick has fallen out and needs to be redone.  My research leads me to believe that a specific mortar needs to be used, as the stone and antique brick are not as strong as modern day products/construction.  Can anyone with experience chime in and lend some advice?  Also if anyone knows a good mason that does this kind of work I’d appreciate the recommendation.  Property is in Haverhill, MA.  Thanks.

How do they make the process easier?

Google it for details.  It’s fairly standard in leases.

You can find examples online.  Be sure to use the correct form — it’s different for a tenant at will versus a tenant on a lease.  Are you new to property management?  I’m somewhat shocked that you manage 200 units, but have never issued a notice to quit.

It’s a bad idea for many reasons, but once you start paying them you will likely be liable for any on the job injury.  

14 day pay or quit notice if not paid on time.  That’s your best approach.  Zero tolerance for late payers.

Why would they pay rent plus an extra maintenance fee?  Just charge them market rent, maintenance is landlords responsibility.

Make sure lease is joint and several.

In Mass you use a 14 day pay or quit notice for nonpayment of rent.  There is a different notice for a tenant on a lease vs. M2M, so make sure you use the right one.  You need to be able to prove the tenant actually received the notice.  It’s best to have them sign that they received it.  Of course this doesn’t always work, so if they refuse to sign you can have a sheriff serve the notice.  The 14 day clock starts ticking upon receipt of the notice.

What did you base market rent on?  Please don’t say the ‘zestimate’.