All Forum Posts by: Robert Melcher

Regardless of what you have been told by a resident, it is important not to deviate from your lease enforcement/collection process and eviction filing timeline.

Any change in response due to a conversation may be construed as a precedent for deviations from the lease, which some courts may consider as an agreement "in principle".

Be consistent.

This is a no-brainer.  Go for it.

Check with NARPM for a member near your property.

National Association of Residential Property Managers

I do not link to residents in Facebook, LinkedIn, or any social forum like meetup.

Check your privacy settings.  Your links are too easy to exploit.

Lastly, it's an imposition in your friends and it implies you may be stalked or your friends may be the recipients of complaints if you don't (in their opinion) "act right".

I would consider this a major breach of protocol.

I would require they all sign and be listed on the lease.  That way they are all jointly responsible for the lease and you can file on all of them should one not pay or bail on the lease.

What does the lease say?

Ours includes a clause that holds the tenant liable for re-letting costs and for rent up to the point a new tenant takes possession, as well as any physical damages beyond wear and tear.

Financial damages and physical damages are the same....they both ultimately are money from your pocket.

Financial damages are actually easier to account for and justify in court.

If the original lease application required both incomes to qualify, you should request a new application with the one staying.  If not qualified alone and with no new prospect on the horizon, i would give notice. You are correct, it is not your job to locate a roomie, and if teh other income is needed to qualify, both should be on the lease.

Any communication should reference a section of the lease.  Document, but enforce it as written.  It's a contract.

Better not to invite a response.  "Sorry, thank you for your interest" is right up there for the best response.

I'm a big fan of bulletproof.  My first rental if fully tiled, a nice neutral. The cost also front-loads my basis for depreciation.  In 12 years I've never touched the flooring.  New AC, paint, stove, dishwasher.  No flooring.

Second rental is tiled lower level, hardwood hall upstairs and individual rooms carpeted.  Very easy to keep up.  I tile all high traffic and wet areas.