All Forum Posts by: Rob B.

Hi Jingru, a lot of great resources already noted. I'd mention that Rent Range is a great way to generate reports with hyperlocal data and the cost of the report is about $19.99. I know at one point the team had a partnership with them but outside of that, I've had a lot of independent friends just starting in REI and they've used Rent Range as a resource. I hope that information helps! @Jingru Sui

Hi Kelly, it is all about setting those expectations early on; usually as a good 1-off question during the screening process, you should inquire about them owning a vacuum cleaner or other cleaning supplies. This is a good way to gain further insight into what type of roommate this is before they even move in. Having said all of this, making the housemate responsible for a move-out cleanup expense for a common area does sound like a reach. Plus all of the other added requirements? Feels like a bit much. I'd specify in writing moving forward (as others have mentioned above) what they are or aren't responsible for, but again, set the expectations early on and you won't have to deal with the disagreements which can lead to a testy housemate situation. @Kelly G.

Hi Kelsey, SF is super expensive; just one of those things where most people on the hunt for a rental at this point expect higher pricing. I will say, a lot of great recommendations have been noted above. It could be worth considering a shot at an actual software solution built for DIY landlords (1 - 15 units); one that helps you to automate your own rental process (ie. compared to other tools, one that helps you to actually get it listed on 10+ major listing sites, allows you to schedule showings, provides you with super thorough tenant screening options, online digital leases which can be customized and help you by breaking out those fees, automated maintenance tracking, and fast rent collection which also offers your tenants the ability to report their positive on-time payments to the major credit bureaus; just another positive reinforcement/added incentive to get them to make those payments on time). More than happy to answer any questions that you might have about tenant screening. @Kelsey Haldiman

Hi Kristin, it could be worth considering a shot at a rental property management software built for DIY landlords (1 - 15 units), and helps you to automate your own rental process (ie. compared to other tools, one that helps you to get it listed on 10+ major listing sites, allows you to schedule showings, provides you with thorough tenant screening options, online digital leases, automated maintenance tracking, and fast rent collection which also offers your tenants the ability to report their positive on-time payments to the major credit bureaus; just another positive reinforcement/added incentive to get them to make those payments on time). More than happy to answer any questions that you might have! 

Joe is spot on with this. It already sounds like these tenants are taking full advantage of the situation; provide a clear interpretation of what the intent of the clause is, and raising the rent down the line is definitely a good idea if you're trying to get yourself out of a sticky situation. Sorry to hear that you're dealing with this; they probably are being compensated which was, as I'm sure, not part of your original intent in renting to them. As Wesley noted, going through your lease and citing those interpretations of violations is a good idea too. 

Hi Axel, I'm working under the assumption that this is within the same state as you. It could be worth considering a shot at a rental property management software built for DIY landlords (1 - 15 units), and helps you to automate your own rental process (ie. helps you to get it listed on 10+ major listing sites, allows you to schedule showings, provides you with thorough tenant screening options, online digital leases, automated maintenance tracking, and fast rent collection which also offers your tenants the ability to report their positive on-time payments to the major credit bureaus; just another positive reinforcement/added incentive to get them to make those payments on time). More than happy to answer any questions that you might have! @Axel Ragnarsson

Hi Caleb! There are definitely some great recommendations above, and I'm sorry to hear about the trouble you're experiencing with listing to Zillow. Focusing on listings alone, there are a lot of sites (Padmapper, Zumper, Doorsteps, Walkscore - just to name a few, in addition to the big ones like Zillow, Trulia, Hotpads and Apartments.com). The best shot might be finding a tool that helps to syndicate that single listing to all of the other major listing sites, even if there are syndication issues with Zillow. 

There are still tools out there which can help bring a certain level of automation to the rest of your rental process though. As you know the listing aspect is just one part; might want to keep in mind a platform that was built for smaller DIY landlords (1-15 units) that offers all of the other necessary tools; ie. listing to 10+ major listing sites, so even though Zillow has started charging your listing will hit most other major listing sites as well; comprehensive tenant screening; state-specific digital leases (uses the property address to import all necessary local clauses and allows you to add custom clauses + renter rules to it as well); and online rent collection. Additionally, the added benefit of being able to report a tenant's on-time rent payments to the credit bureaus to help them boost their credit score creates an added positive incentive for making sure they pay on time, every month. If you have any questions, in particular, I'd be more than happy to address those. @Caleb Sundell

Hi Natelya - as you may see from many of the post responses above, there are definitely some great tools out there which can help bring a certain level of automation to your rental process. The rent collection aspect is just one part; might want to keep in mind a platform that was built for smaller DIY landlords (1-15 units) that offers all of the necessary tools; ie. listing to 10+ major listing sites, comprehensive tenant screening, state-specific digital leases (based on the property address; uses that property address to import all necessary local clauses into that residential lease and allows you to add custom clauses and renter rules to it as well) AND online rent collection. Additionally, the added benefit of being able to report a tenant's on-time rent payments to the credit bureaus to help them boost their credit score creates an added positive incentive for making sure they pay on time, every month. If you have any questions in particular, I'd be more than happy to address those. @Natelya Glover

Hi @Matt Anderson, great question, and as you may see from many of the post responses above, there are definitely some great tools out there which can help bring a certain level of automation to your rental process. Keep in mind a platform that was built for smaller DIY landlords (1-15 units), whereas some of the larger platforms might not be as cost-efficient, whereas a small one built with DIY landlords in mind offers state-specific leases (based on the property address; uses that property address to import all necessary local clauses into that residential lease and allows you to add custom clauses and renter rules to it as well). The state-mandated disclosures and pamphlets are also key, and are included in those leases as well (pulled based on the property address). Additionally, online rent collection is key, as are the added benefits of things like being able to report a tenant's on-time rent payments to the credit bureaus to help them boost their credit score (added incentive for making sure they pay that rent on time). The best part is the level of automation that you can experience with maintenance tracking. If you have any questions, in particular, I'd be more than happy to address those!

Hi Amy! Great question, and as you may see from many of the post responses above, there are definitely some great tools out there which can help bring a certain level of automation to your rental process. Keep in mind a platform that was built for smaller DIY landlords (1-15 units), whereas some of the larger platforms might not be as cost-efficient, whereas a small one built with DIY landlords in mind offers state-specific leases (based on the property address; uses that property address to import all necessary local clauses into that residential lease and allows you to add custom clauses and renter rules to it as well). The state-mandated disclosures and pamphlets are also key, and are included in those leases as well (pulled based on the property address). Additionally, online rent collection is key, as are the added benefits of things like being able to report a tenant's on-time rent payments to the credit bureaus to help them boost their credit score (added incentive for making sure they pay that rent on time). The best part is the level of automation that you can experience with maintenance tracking. If you have any questions in particular, I'd be more than happy to address those! @Amy Paradis