All Forum Posts by: Todd M.

This seems like noobie questions, but if I send them notice saying I choose not to renew their lease, I don't even need to give them a reason.... right?

Seriously, I think the Complainer couple is mentally ill. I did run background checks on them before moving in, but didn't call previous landlords.

I've never had a tenant that complains this much. I'm starting to think a vacant unit is more appealing than putting up with there whiny, entitled attitude.

They are on a month-to-month lease. This means I can simply choose not to renew their lease right?

Hi,
Have one tenant that moved in a month ago consistently complains about everything; e.g. "the oven is too dirty, I need you to clean it".

This said ("the Complainer") tenant is now complaining about noise from a neighbor who moved in above about 5 days ago ("New tenant").

New tenant says the Complainer is threatening when knocking on the door telling them to quite down.

---
New terriority for me, but I'm sure it will happen again, so this is good chance to learn.

What I've done so far:
I've recorded both sides of the story in my landlord log book. I've sent both tenants letters and told them to call the local authorities if their attempts at direct, respectful dispute resolution are not successful.

Any other suggestions?

More info:
For example, the Complainer has just said "noise" while the New tenant has said it's the creaking floors. Should I ask the Complainer to put in writing the nature (voices, music, creaking floors) of the noise they are hearing.

I've heard horror stories on bad tenants and have a little experience over the past 4 years. But, this constant complaining (closet smells, the refrigerator shelves are dirty, the cabinet knobs need polishing, whoops I flushed a towel down the toilet- come over and snake it for me) is getting sickening. I had a professional cleaner in their unit before they moved in! I hung their drapes.

So, in short, I'm more likely to believe the upstairs/ new tenants.

Thoughts?

I appreciate your responses,
Todd

Yeah, I've heard about the ice bag trick. I've heard of some LL putting cages around the thermostat, so the ice bag trick won't be as effective... keeps the bag of ice further away from the thermometer.

Reminds me of the pantyhose trick when using coin operated laundry.

But, anyhow, my question is about the legality of caps rather than tenants who break rules.

I appreciate the responses, but can anyone comment on the legality of caps?

Todd

I have 4 plex in which I pay heat. gas. The 4 units have digital thermostats that are capped to 72F.

Is this legal? Does anyone know what the minimum cap is? especially in Minnesota? I'm searching online and can't find any reference.

To be clear of my intentions: I'm not interested in setting it to the absolute lowest... rather I hope to say something like: "legally I can cap it at 68 degrees, but since I'm such a nice guy, i'm capping it at 72. if you'd like the cap adjusted higher than 72, it's an extra $25/month per additional degree in temperature"

Thoughts?

In the case of a bad tenant with a month-to-month that I want to remove, is it simply a matter of not renewing the 30 day lease?

I'm wondering if it is too good to be true! Is it really that easy with a month-to-month or am I missing something?

Hi,
This is my first post and I'm looking for opinions/suggestions on going with 1 year lease vs. month-to-month leases for my tenants.

background:
I have two properties in "not great" neighborhoods. In other words, 98% of prospective tenants have some kind of story on how their convictions or UDs were not their fault. Maybe you know what I mean?

Anyhow, I've never had to evict anyone yet, but I'm sure it will happen some day as I'm a buy-and-hold and do the PM myself
.
Until recently I had always assumed 1 year leases were good until my screening company recently suggested a borderline application could be signed up for month-to-month lease. Going with a month-to-month would decrease my risk of having a bad tenant. This way, I can give them 30 days notice to move out rather than go the eviction route if there is trouble.

Sounded good to me. Thoughts?

Todd