All Forum Posts by: Summer Chen

 Thanks Allen. I do have surveillance cameras on site. 

Thank you Nicole. They often say that they need the exact address to submit to the adjuster for approval or they want to tour the house before they can decide to rent it. In this way, it seems that I cannot give an approximate address. How would you deal with it? Thanks!

Dear friends, 

I have been receiving inquiries from insurance company, temp housing company, and random clients in FF asking for the exact address of the house, then I don't hear anything back after I gave out for a few times. Would you provide the address to this kind of inquiry? Not sure if it is a scam or if it would pose potential safety/privacy issue. Could you please advise? Thank you!

I have been searching information today regarding security camera policy. 

So the outdoor cameras are generally allowed as long as we disclose them to the tenants. 

Regarding the indoor cameras, airb&b has banned them since March 2024 even if they are in the common area. 

Here is quoted VRBO policy:

"Vrbo, another vacation rental company, states that it does not allow any form of surveillance device inside a property, with the exception of smart devices that are allowed "as long as you have been informed of their presence and given the option to deactivate them." Mar 11, 2024"

I am going to remove the 2 indoor cameras now. 

You guys are awesome! Each input is so helpful and practical. Thank you all, Bonnie, Jamie, and Mel! 

I have outdoor surveillance cameras in the front yard and back yard. There are also 2 indoor cameras: one in the kitchen to make sure nobody forgets to turn off the gas oven or leave the sink full of dish. Another one in the living/dinning room to ensure no intruder when the house is vacant. Should I remove these two indoor cameras when the house is rent out or it is possible to keep them on after I notify the tenants? I assume tenant may not care about the outdoor cameras.

Hi Bonnie, 

This is very helpful. Much appreciated!

Regarding tenant application, do you ask each tenant to fill out the complete California rental application form which requests all previous employment and residence details or only ask for the tenant's SSN and driver's license?

Hi All,

I'm freshly starting my MTR and will mainly focus on leads from FF. I have quite some questions that need your help:

For tenant screening, I plan to do the routine background (eviction, criminal) screening and credit check. Should I also call the tenant's previous landlords x 3 to ensure positive rental history?

For income verification, I plan to obtain a copy of the employment contract. Should I call the recruiter/employer to verify employment? Is it necessary to request recent 3-month paystub, bank statement, or last year's w2 form?

When the property is rent to a group of 3 traveling nurses, should each of them individually fill out the complete rental application form? Should I charge each nurse the application fee? One lease will be signed by all three together. I plan to use baselane to do online screening and am not sure how it works yet.

Regarding pet allowance, do people usually request to leave the pets in the front or back yard? or actually allow pets to run inside the house? When a applicant has a service dog or ESA-certified animal, is this considered a red flag? 

For monthly rent payment, do you usually have it due by the first day of each month or pay in advance like one week ahead of time?

Is it feasible to ask the tenant to move the trash can to the curbside for weekly trash pickup when the property is rented as an entire unit?

How many pages is a typical MTR lease? I have been editing it based on a state-specific lease template which contains 15 pages. I'm wondering if it is too long.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

Hi All, 

I'm freshly starting my MTR and have quite some questions that need your help: 

For tenant screening, I plan to do the routine background (eviction, criminal) screening and credit check. Should I also call the tenant's previous landlords x 3 to ensure positive rental history?

For income verification, I plan to obtain a copy of the employment contract. Should I call the recruiter/employer to verify employment? Is it necessary to request recent 3-month paystub, bank statement, or last year's w2 form? 

When the property is rent to a group of 3 traveling nurses, should each of them individually fill out the complete rental application form? Should I charge each nurse the application fee? One lease will be signed by all three together. I plan to use baselane to do online screening and am not sure how it works yet.

Regarding pet allowance, do people usually request to leave the pets in the front or back yard? or actually allow pets to run inside the house? 

For monthly rent payment, do you usually have it due by the first day of each month or pay in advance like one week ahead of time?

Is it feasible to ask the tenant to move the trash can to the curbside for weekly trash pickup when the property is rented as an entire unit? 

How long is a typical MTR lease? I have been editing based on a state-specific lease template which contains 15 pages. I'm wondering if it is too long.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

 Thank you for sharing your experience. I'll learn more about the local policy in my area.

 Understood. Thank you for the reminder.