All Forum Posts by: Scott P.

Your list is a lot like mine! And, I like your sense of humor - which is sometimes needed in this business.

Without actually walking across the house and getting mine, I think it also includes adjusting thermostats and opening cabinets, etc. and setting off the first round of insect spray "bombs" if there was a pet.  Then I close up the place and return in 7 days for the second round of insect "bombs."  Also, I note on the walk through which contractors, if any, I need to do work so that I can get them scheduled.  And also if any appliances need to be repaired or replaced.

By then, my waiting list of prospective tenants is usually made and I know the timetable I have to to get it ready for the next folks to move in.

I've never been asked to do "small touchups" even in new construction which I've rented.  My first thought was, "No freakin' way am I doing or sending someone over to touch up paint, or "other small tasks.""

But....if this is new in Miami and you're perhaps getting top dollar for an A property with tenants who want it beautiful and will keep it that wall for the most part, then perhaps I'd do it.

My lease says that repairs under $X dollars, (I think it's $40 but I'd have to look) are their responsibility.  This keeps me from going over to tighten loose screws on bath towel bars etc.

But in your case, if the property is like I describe above, maybe I'd do it for them.

Those are always tough issues for me because in a sense its almost normal wear-and-tear yet the next tenant isn't going to prefer a large chip because it probably looks trashy.

Although I have a long, long history of fully refunding deposits, I'm beginning to change.  I'd probably tell the tenant that I understand it's an accident but it's more than normal wear and tear and grime.  I'd deduct the $250 from the deposit, perhaps less depreciation - and I'd tell the tenant he's welcome to keep the range if he'd like.

In my area I'm required to do only a couple of specific items to keep the premises habitable.  So, I'd close the book but I'm not sure if that would work in your area.

Personally, after trying diligently to understand his point-of-view, if I decided I couldn't take care of his concerns and if I felt harassed, I'd let him know that I'm not renewing his lease.

From reading on BP though, I think some landlords are in areas where it may not be easy to do that.

I don't have any data but my gut feeling is that it's because there's a lot of $ available to borrow for a mortgage.  The increased/inflated supply of money leads to larger/higher prices - sort of like how increased air in a balloon leads to a larger balloons - as people can "afford" to borrow and therefore "afford" to pay more.

On the other hand, there's not much money at all available to borrow to rent!  Thus the market for rent is set by what people can afford to pay without being able to access credit and borrow.

Congrats! You might take over furnace filters if you plan to supply those.  Might be a nice gesture plus another good reason to visit and look around.

I haven't done that arrangement - but I've given it some thought.  

If you're talking a house flip, I could be either of the two parties, based on my experience and funding ability.  So it see it from both sides.

I would recommend both parties do their normal deal, i.e. the Contractor gets paid his normal way.  Then, any true profit after that gets split 50-50.

There are a lot of nuances about how either of the parties may get paid "normally" but in general this is the approach I'm toying with taking if I try this scenario some day.

Based only on what you've said, i would keep this house and continue renting it out.  I don't know your full situation though, like I know mine.

If you ever wanted a "reasonable and ordinary" business reason to buy a kayak, boat, jet skis, etc. you may have just found it!  
Just kidding, of course.  I'm actually sorry to hear about this.  I suspect he'll want to move if he decides flooding is a problem in that area and it may be hard to attract tenants there.  I'm hoping this is a 100 year flood situation as Jay Hinrichs said.

I guess what'd I'd do is offer to let him terminate the lease but also remind him that if he stays he has to pay.  This offer would head off the possibility of him not paying as you suspect he might be tempted to do.

In my area, there seems to be one agent for Section 8 in each county or one that covers a few counties.  Somehow see if you can find out who that is by asking a Section 8 tenant, or call multi's and ask if they take Section 8 and if they do then ask them who administers it in that area.

In my experience Section 8 goes with the tenant, not the landlord.  So to find out how the process works, imagine yourself signing up for it.  Where would you need to go to ask?  That's the person you need to contact to ask about the process.

In my area, the tenant asks you if you accept Section 8 and you let the tenant know you're interested, and its the tenant who tells the Section 8 administrators that they'd like to rent your property.  Then the Section 8 folks call you (prospective tenant gives them your #) and/or they mail you a form to fill out.  Then they come inspect your property and can answer the rest of your questions.

Good luck!