All Forum Posts by: Puthy Pan

Thanks everyone for the input.  This was very helpful.  I've decided to give up and move on to the next applicant. 

Hello everyone.  I have a house that I'm trying to rent in Seattle and I've gotten many family that does not have SSN wanting to rent the place.  Are they considered illegals if they don't have a SSN?  I've never rented to anyone without a SSN before.  I did some research and it sounds like it varies from state to state.  In some states, they are a protected class.  In others, it's illegal to rent to illegal immigrant (assuming that someone without a SSN is illegal).  Here are some questions I have:

Should I rent to them?  (My conscious is saying "why shouldn't you rent to them if they are good people?")

What is the law in Washington regarding renting to someone without a SSN (possibly illegal immigrant)?

How do you do background check on someone without a SSN?

Is there something else you would do to protect yourself/property if you cannot run background check?

What other steps can I take?

Thanks in advance for any advice I can get.

Puthy

@Dennis M. - Yes, I've had the same thoughts and have encountered the same issues as you with inherited tenants.  One tenant I spent over $7k on legal fees just to get her out.  Now I'm trying to see if there is a more better way of handling the transition once I take ownership.  Would you do anything different if it was a month-to-month lease?  Thanks for your input.  

@Nancy P. - Thanks for your insight.  Yes, we take over the security deposit as well.  I'll have to work in a walk-through of the place after taking ownership of the next property.  I noticed some tenants asking us to repair this or that after we've been an owner for a few months.  Would it be different if it was a month-to-month tenant?

My first was at 21 with $10k that I saved.  Held it for 2 yrs and sold it for a down payment on a primary resident.  It taught me the power of rental property and appreciation.  Back in it again at 33 and now my focus is on duplex, triplex or duplex.  

Hello fellow biggerpockets!

I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing right and/or wrong after purchasing a new investment property.  Especially since I want to pickup another property really soon.  Details:

- I have two 4-plex that I self manage and do all the repairs myself.

- After closing on the deals, I keep the inherited tenants, keep the lease agreement from the prior landlord and give a notice to the tenants that I'm the new landlord and where to send the rent payments.

- I didn't do a review of the condition of the place with the tenants.

- I don't do a new credit check on the tenants.

- The units in each property are under market when I purchase it and I've been increasing rent by about $50/year in order to not shock the tenants.  Unless a tenant moves out, then I go in and renovate the place and bring it up to market.

Questions:

How does everyone else handle a new investment property purchase?  

Do you sign new lease agreements, do a walk through, run credit checks or get rid of the current tenants?

What am I doing right and/or wrong?

Any suggestions or insight to how you handle your property will be helpful.  Thanks everyone.

Puthy Pan

15 minutes away from my place.  But if the price is right, i'm willing to go out 45 minutes away.  I self manage and do all repairs myself.