All Forum Posts by: Rachel Fairweather

Our lease states that we strongly encourage tenants to get renter's insurance and makes it clear that if something happens, we are not responsible for their belongings. We don't require them to carry renter's insurance because I expect our tenants to be adults and make those decisions for themselves.

Check out National Real Estate Insurance Group. All they do is real estate insurance and they insure through different providers, but Lloyd's is one of them. Rates are reasonable and customer service is outstanding!

We use NREIG, National Real Estate Insurance Group. They fully understand the real estate business and can customize quotes for anything you're looking for.

What is the tenant's reasoning in not moving to another vacant unit in the same place that's also bigger and the same amount of money? I would want to know what they're hiding. Maybe nothing, but if I were that tenant, I would jump at the chance for a bigger place for the same amount of rent. Maybe you could promise no rent increases for X number of months/years in case that's their concern?

Same as Vanesa. $100/pet and it's refundable. No monthly rent. Keep in mind, my rentals are lower end, so I don't have as much to lose if a pet tears up the property.

I've been traveling for my day job and haven't had a chance to deal with this house. I was also waiting on delivery of the SimpliSafe alarm system I ordered. It's been installed and is monitored and definitely gives me peace of mind. Contractor is going to install a new hot water heater and build a closet around it (complete with screws to secure it) to make it a lot harder to steal. I feel like this was a crime of opportunity and by making it harder with the addition of a closet and an alarm system, it should be fine until we can get a renter in the house. I also did as others suggested and installed dawn to dusk light bulbs on the exterior and I'm leaving a couple of lights on inside the house (all blinds drawn) to help light it up. I'm done traveling for work and will be going by on a regular basis to let any would-be thieves know that someone could show up at anytime. Contractor said he should be done with everything by this weekend and then we'll work on getting it cleaned up and online to rent.

Again, I appreciate everyone who responded and I appreciate you sharing your stories to let me know I'm not alone. What a great resource!

Thank you to everyone that has responded! There are a LOT of great tips that I plan on using until we can get a renter in the house. Good to know that others have used SimpliSafe and it's worked for them. I also didn't realize it didn't require wi-fi, so that's going to save me $50/month. We have Cox Cable in our area and they do offer month-to-month plans for internet, but no reason to do it if it's not needed. I also purchased the dawn to dusk light bulbs and will get those installed this week. Grateful for this forum as it's given me some reassurance. Thanks again!

Just bought our third rent house and 3 days after closing it was broken into and the hot water heater and the window A/C unit was stolen (presumably for the copper). Haven't had this happen before and want to know how to protect the house before we replace everything. I've ordered a Simplisafe security system and will have it monitored until I can get a renter in the house. Anyone else ever had this happen? Is there anything else I should be doing? I hate this feeling of helplessness.