All Forum Posts by: Scott M.

100% a door, not even a question.  

You need to be very careful when you use the word scrape and lead paint in the same sentence.  By law, if you are treating a known source of lead paint (not saying you are, and your report may indicate the opposite) you need to be licensed in lead safe practices or hire someone who is.  Scraping could cause lead dust to escape.

You have your report, and if you want to paint over it as others have suggested that is good.  That is legally allowed esp. if you are unaware if lead is actually present. Peel stop primer is a good suggestion.  

Search (Upper right corner) for tankless hot water and you will find more recent threads including this one with 40 replies from Nov of last year.

Tankless vs traditional hot water system (biggerpockets.com)

LOL, love how many words are used to say no smoking.  Frankly I think "no smoking" is more effective then listing all the ways you prohibit smoking because you don't list them all.  By listing some you kind of seem to be giving permission for things that are not a cigar, cigarette, pipe, hookah's etc.  And if "lighted or heated tobacco or plant product intended for inhalation" covers everything then why list anything?  And are you okay if they smoke something that isn't heated tobacco or a plant product?  

Anyway, I think saying no smoking is far more effective. 

Yes, you can assess a fine and/or you can charge for the damage done.  Both are legal.  

The inspector was hired by and works for the buyer, not you.  If they can get a preventative treatment done at no cost then that helps justify the cost of the inspection.  

As a seller, in todays market in particular, you can just say no.  If they demand it, you just move on to the next buyer.  You don't have to do it and given what you stated, I wouldn't either.  

@Christina M. you mentioned what you did prior and post the tenant.  Did the tenant actually seal them for you yearly?

This is not a task I would put on any tenant.  As a landord, this is something you should be doing to maintain your property.

1) You need to know and follow local rules and regulations for eviction.  "Because I want you out" is not legal justification for eviction anywhere in the US that I am aware of if the tenant is on a term lease.  Month to month you can give proper notice and follow local laws.  that said you can always ask, you can always offer them cash to leave and if both parties (landlord/tenant) agree to end a lease agreement you can always do that.  in today's crazy COVID world evictions are not what they used to be so you really need to understand what the process is locally before you buy or you can ask the seller to have it empty on sale. Doesn't mean they can or will, but you can ask.  As you are getting a mortgage you have X days to move-in so you better be clear on this before you head down the mortgage fraud road 

2) Raising rent is a two prong process.  First, is the unit in market condition?  If the tenants moved out today and you did nothing but clean, would you get market rent?  Or because it needs renovation would you get far less?  Are you 100% sure 800 isn't market rent for the condition?  If it needs work, are you willing to do it?  If so then you can have a conversation with the tenant, tell them you are going to raise rent to X and if they baulk at the condition you can offer to bring it up to market rates or they can leave.  Generally, for a rate raise this much, you are better to clear house and start over if you can 

Just because you don't have a lease doesn't mean they don't have one.  And if they do, doesn't mean it is legal.  You need to follow the proper procedure to get the tenant out.  You can always ask them to leave. You can offer them cash to leave or you can evict legally in your area.  State where the home is located and someone will answer a bit more details on the local eviction process.  Or better yet, hire an attorney and learn the proper way as the case moves forward.

What you can't do is kick them out yourself.  

"Only what the disclosures stated"?  Hopefully the disclosures included the lease, ledgers, application package at the very least.  That said.

1. If you are local go and introduce yourself and if they are not home leave a letter in their mailbox or on their door that introduces you and asked them to call you.  Letter should include contact info/where to pay/how to contact for maintenance and emergencies etc....Don't make it long and complicated. If you are not local then you need to have your local rep do this or call/email/text the tenants the same info and drop an actual letter in the mail.  Making contact is step one.  Getting them enrolled in your process is step 2. 

2. Whatever you want.  As the owner, this is up to you (assuming they want to stay).  You can keep them month to month or you can sign a term lease.  Pluses and minus to both.  Educate yourself and decide what route is best for you.  

3.  Probably, but don't overwhelm yourself or them.  Make contact, get them enrolled into your process is what you need to be focused on.  

Collect a non-refundable deposit now (I wouldn't, more on that later).  As you get closer the tenant should pay the remaining funds for move-in.  Sign the lease the day of move-in and if any other funds are owed get it in guaranteed form like a wire (before signing) or money order.  Nothing that can bounce.  

Normally landlords are doing this in a few days to a few week window, maybe a month out not 3 months out.  I would never ever never sign anything with anyone that far out in advance, sign day of move in.

Be sure you documents say what happens to any funds collected, what is non refundable and what happens to it on day of move in (for example it becomes part of rent or SD).