All Forum Posts by: Eric Blackford

I'd say. My late fee is $75. Rent due on the first late on the second. Unofficially, I'll give a tenant one time a year to be late with no fee charged. As it is, I rarely have late rent issues.

Very good advice

Hold them to the letter of the law. In Florida, if a tenant doesn't make you aware of the rodent problem in writing, then they have no standing to vacate the lease. But, as has been stated above, get a lawyer involved.

I'm a property manager, not a home owner so I generally let the homeowner make the decision but, my strong recommendation is always no dog over 20 pounds or under 3 years old. My application states no pets allowed and my lease has a strong "no pets" clause in it. If the prospective tenant asks, I ask some questions about the animal, seek the landlords input and let the tenant know yes or no.

As for service animals, I have yet to run across that issue. According to the article that Steve put up, it looks like I'd need to confirm that the animal is indeed a service animal and is required by the prospective tenant.

Stop replying to his emails, block his email address, don't answer his phone calls (don't even listen to his messages) and make sure to communicate with him via USPS delivered mail (using Certified Return Receipt mail delivery) only. Put your foot down and make him understand (with actions not words) that he has pushed as far as he will with you. Properly sever ties with him and forget about his sorry self.

If he shows at your house, warn him to get off your property and then call the police. Leave him outside and don't open the door. If he shows up and talks to the new tenants, I'm sure you'll hear about it. Simply tell them the truth and suggest that they call the police if he shows up again. If you build a good relationship with them, they really won't want to hear what this gasbag has to say.

I despise bullys and that is what this guy is. I personally would not talk to the guy ever again except through the mail, period. He is under your skin and you just need to be measured in your responses to him, hence using USPS mail. If he has an issue with your deductions against the security deposit, then he can take it through the proper legal channels. Don't let him intimidate you into returning one penny more than he is due. That is what he is hoping to do.

No help here but interested in the answewrs. I only have one multi-family unit that I manage (duplex), the rest are SFH and this kind of issue is why I really don't want to get into managing more MFH.

It is imperative that you get control of your properties back as quickly as possible. Fire her immediately. Send her a certified letter return receipt and fire her. Go to the properties immediately, talk to the tenants, letting them know that there has been a change made and you are hiring a new PM company or you will be taking care of things for awhile and then a new company will be coming in, collect tenants personal information from them (an application if you can get them to fill it out), let them know that you'll want a new lease signed and also change the locks on each property. In my opinion, control of the property is the first and most important thing.

Next, file a police report on the stolen A/C unit. Let her know that you are doing that as well. If she is holding any deposits, request them back in the certified letter you are sending to her. If she balks one iota, have your attorney begin legal proceedings to recover the deposits, otherwise they'll come out of your pocket. Recap everything and write it down as if you'll be presenting it to a judge, because you may well be doing just that with this loser PM person.

I would say be as aggressive as possible with this person. You've tried it the "soft shoe" way, now, slam her head in the door and get your property back. This aint no time to play Mr. NiceGuy.

Yeah, agree with above that leases only benefit the tenant. You are doing the best thing just letting them go. I've ended up adding an addendum to my leases, per Florida law, that allows for one to two months rent payment if the tenant wants to break the lease. I make it one months payment and let them walk. Generally, I can get the house re-rented in that time frame and it's better than letting them walk with no money paid.

It's been my experience that when you permit outdoor smoking, the tenant will sit just outside the door, most times with the door to the house hanging open, and smoke. I just recently cleared a house where that was the case. It wasn't as bad as having them smoke inside but the smell was bad.

Agree with above...DON'T DO IT!!!!! Your lease is your best protection against having it happen.