All Forum Posts by: Sarah B.

How does one determine what qualifies as "normal wear and tear" with regard to carpet?  I had a tenant just move out after a 12 month lease and, while the carpets (in bedrooms) were not brand new and had a couple of small stains (I took detailed photographs), they are now horribly stained and completely unusable.  To me, this is definitely not normal wear for a 1 year lease.  They've done other damage as well so they will already be losing some of their deposit but the carpets will take a big chunk.  I don't want to end up in trouble for charging for "normal wear and tear" - any great resources for determining this?

@Joe Splitrock thanks for weighing in.  I know you know the local market.  I was thinking maybe I should turn this one Class C into a "felon friendly" property since we have a prison here and definitely a need for it - but I agree, too risky for me, at least at this point.

@John Underwood thank you for the ideas!!

@John Underwood thanks!  He did volunteer more info - he was convicted of 3rd degree statutory rape when he was 18 yrs old and had sex with someone he met at a bar who ended up being 13...he did 14 years is prison so he's only been out 18 months.  He is not on parole or probation and will be on the registry for 2 more years. Have you rented to felons before?  I'm really on the fence about this one.

I had a potential tenant contact me and ask if I accept felons.  I have read that it's illegal (discrimination) to flat out say "no felons" so I asked what the crime was.  He said "sex offender, 16 years ago when I was 18 years old".  I told him I would "review with the owner" and get back to him.  Since then, I've been trying to read up on what I can legally ask him.  Can I ask him more details on his crime?  E.g. if it was consensual sex with a minor girlfriend 16 years ago, I don't feel I need to disqualify him if he's been clean for 16 years since (of course I'll do a background check to verify).  If it was violent or more serious in nature, I would disqualify him.  But I am wondering where I can learn/research more about what specific questions I can legally ask prospective tenants. Also - this is a single family, C property and there are 2 registered sex offenders in the apartments across the street so....I definitely still screen all tenants but have to have realistic standards for this type of a property.

My leases state that, upon early termination, tenants are responsible to pay a 2.5x monthly rent re-rent levy.  So I wouldn't be required to give him a dime back.  But in reality if I was able to verify his story (he furnished a death certificate, etc), I would likely advertise, re-rent, and the refund whatever money (if any) was remaining once I'd re-rented (e.g. if it took a month, I'd keep a month's rent and refund the rest.)  

@Peter Tverdov I am private messaging you a question.

REI Meetup this weekend (4th Saturday of every month) at 9am at the Zeal Center: 2329 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57107. Please let me know if you can make it and I'll make sure to save you a seat. :) (Apologies for my last minute posting - I just got back from Mexico and the sun distracted me. ;) )

@Steve Mccullough your method of rehabbing distressed properties and offering fair, clean housing is admirable and definitely a goal of mine!  Way to go!

@Jay Hinrichs haha I moved from Oregon last year. :)  Sioux Falls has felt very safe which has been nice and why this situation was unexpected... But true. Need to be diligent.