All Forum Posts by: Daria B.

 I'm going through answering several posts so hopefully this is not a repeat answer.

The idea and database of information as it were, would be pointed factual based questions requiring a yes/no answer. And be simple like have they been late in the term period. If so, how many times. Was the same excuse given. 

If like any survey the questions are open to the participants written ideas, then yes it's going to be a she said he said rather than using the yes/no method.

 My initial thoughts on this was the need to have better defined "checklist" yes/no answers to more pointed questions. Like when they began being late into the lease term when paying rent. 

One issue I see is some sort of life change into the lease term OR they were already borderline at the onset of the lease and likely would not be able to keep up the momentum of paying. I.e. A couple whose combined income is what % of or over DTI that put them on the fringes of failing.

One of my PMs makes a visit to the potential tenants living residence to talk to the landlord and see how they live. As explained to me, if they live clean and pay then that travels with them, otherwise, if they find from the landlord (that can be subjective. Who's to say they don't paint a pretty picture to rid themselves of the tenant.) they had issues and their living is too messy, it will travel woth them to the new living space.  

 Agreed on the screening but what specifics are in your tool box: how do you determine solid "ability" to pay and pay on time.

Any credit report that doesn't have sporadic (and do they report these anyway) payments won't tell you if he tenant pays on time.

What other things do you look at that gives you concrete evidence the potential tenant has been late paying.

For example, the former tenant was late 3 times all of which they had to be hounded to pay. This started after 1.5 years of already renting. Clearly something changed from when they were placed in the lease.

Unfortunately nothing of full proof.

 And for things like that, it's a no contest when the lease specifically states "no altering" including paint. But they do it anyway.  

I will look into that. :-) 

 Well this is a first and it happened. 

While I can't get the details I am given enough to say yes or no. And I have turned down some - also switched PMs in the past due to their bar being set to high that all would fail the screening for which the PM put the onerous on the owner to accept, and if they did and something went wrong, the PM would not be held accountable (stated in their contract). 

Everyone can't self manage for any number of reasons - while others may be able to do that it's just not doable for all.

 And the tenant knew when she moved in that she would be responsible for the water bill for the sprinklers and still went against the agreed terms? Sad that people agreed to things knowing they won't comply.

Good idea on the lock down.

 My rentals aren't below $1k and given all markets differ, in this one, the range of $1300+ is one that commands a good tenant, all things being equal with good credit and a bank account. If here were a grading system, mine would be B's. In this case it was tenant screening that they got through.

Signs were tell tale later onto the rent period and I knew I was not renewing them. Juxtaposed to them are one of my other tenants that treat the place great and are pro about informing the PM of any potential issues - like today with a downed tree limb on the property.

Good info on the lack of a checking account. Later into the rental period they bounced 2 checks and the PM would no longer accept from them - only cash. Again, prior to that I had already decided to not renew.

I know this is probably border line - privacy issue - if not fully frowned upon. :-|

The title of my post - these tenants had no respect for the property - why doesn't there exist (again, venting) something that landlords can document what the tenant did to the property and share it? It would not be anything other than what we do now with our properties but we would be able to share that with other landlords. This would help others see just how bad/good tenants are.

Even doing the back ground check, debt 2 income, credit check all the other verifications - just doesn't always seem full proof. I've read of the professional tenant and how they manipulate the system.

Mostly venting here and telling others whether you self-manage or have a PM - get all and do all documentation pre and post tenant move.

Going through a disputed move out - pictures were taken (pre-move in and post move out) and the written documentation clearly has everything checked off as fair or good condition. 

I was mortified at the condition.

The PM did all the right things and the tenant is disputing all the SD as though there was no damage.

They broke things and didn't say a word - they glued a kitchen draw back on - glue dripping down the face of the draw and it was on crooked. :-/

They changed the front door lock, I assume they broke it since there were so many other things that were broken.

They never changed the air filter - clumps of dirt and dust on all the vents and the return register.

 Holes in the wallls and dirt all over the walls from kids hands and who knows what.

They almost burned down the house from the cooking being done with grease. Had to replace one stove and pretty much the replacement was also ruined. The cabinets took a few days to get the grease and grim off. Scratches weren't superficial but to the point of having to paint several cabinets. :-/ Crayon? Really?

Manipulative is what comes to mind knowing the condition and still they feel they are not culpable.

Ok - venting done and I'll be riding this to some sort of conclusion.