All Forum Posts by: Theresa Harris

Nathan I am so sorry to hear that.  Wishing you all the best and glad you are able to take the time you need.

Can you pass the costs along to a customer and how much would it cost you to move to another location?  I'd also check if there are laws on how much they can increase the rent by.

The bylaws state that you have to pay the $1000 fee at BOTH the start and end of the lease every year-that doesn't make sense because a lease for the same tenant who is renewing could end March 31 2025 and the new one start April 1 2025-so you have to pay $1000 on the 31st and again on the 1st.

It would be more normal for the fee to be paid when you have a turnover-ie a tenant moves out and another moves in.  A condo I owned had fees ($250) whenever anyone moved in or out....not that they were good about policing it.

Do the math and think about your long term plans.  

If you keep the current home as a rental and move to another place, will the rent for the current home cover all of your expenses?  You also have to think about capital gains-how much has the home appreciated since you bought it?  If you sell it down the road, how much will you pay in capital gains? (You could sell it in less than 2 years from moving out and not have to worry about that.).

How much will you pay to sell your current home and buy a new one?  Is that worth the price of a garage or are there other things you'd like to have in a new home?

Why don't they switch realtors?  I'd also find out how quickly other properties are selling and how the price compares.

I'd definitely get it surveyed and a small head is a good idea...and less of an eye sore than what they put up.

Don't do work that you don't need to do.  If you are living there, take your time. A fresh coat of neutral paint does wonders and often you can get mis-tints at a paint store for less.  I once got a 5 gallon bucket of a pretty, neutral paint for $50.  Did the whole apartment and I had tons left (gave it to someone who used it to paint their apartment).  If you change flooring, go for something durable because tenant are hard on the house.  Look at things such as Habitat Restore and buy things gradually, but with a plan in mind.

You aren't entitled to do any more for her.  She wants to break the lease. Tell her normally you'd need 30 or 60 days' notice (whatever the rule in your area) and you are not going to charge her that.

As other said, you don't need a biohazard clean up.  If you are worried about anything, spray it with bleach and call it a day.

If you are in a market that relies on international travel from certain countries, international students or seasonal workers, then you may find it harder.  A number of countries have issued travel advisories (eg Canada, UK, Germany), but the US is a large place, so start changing your marketing strategy to target people who are already in the country and looking for a vacation.