All Forum Posts by: Tracey Lane

Hello BP Community, we're having to bring an unpermitted unit in an older building up to code for a dwelling space and need plans drawn up to submit to the city. Does anyone have good referrals for someone who can do that affordable and reliably? Also looking into hiring an expediter to help us through the process. 

Would love to hear anyone's journey who has been through this experience as well.

Thank you!

We use Zillow payments for our 3-unit property. We can't compel them to sign up but most don't mind. It works kind of like Venmo in that you can either pay a small fee to have the money deposit right away into your account or go the no-fee route and have the money deposited about 5 business days after it posts. I like it because it basically puts our tenants on "auto-pay".

There's tons of great threads on here to learn from and yes, it feels very confusing at times. We almost did one a couple years ago and I remember there being a steep learning curve with it all. I'm sure someone knowledgdable will chime in but basically, no, it has to be equal or more than the property you're selling. And I believe you also have to carry a similar mortgage going in to the new property. Search through the forums here for more detailed info. 

I think learning how to do landlording well, and legally is empowering and may ease some of the anxiety. Put some systems into place with bookkeeping, maintenance, forms, etc. and learn what your state/county/city requires of landlords. Learn from all of the experience and resources here on BP. Doing that has really helped me have less worry and also have more pride and confidence in myself as a landlord.

It's possible too that landlording just isn't something suited to your disposition or life-stage, etc. Not meaning that to sound snarky AT-ALL! It's a job and not everyone is suited to every job.

All the best to you!

We co-own a triplex with my parents with an attached finished garage that we currently use as an office space for our design business (S-Corp). The S-Corp is a separate and unrelated entity and the property is owned by us as individuals. Is there any reason to charge our S-Corp rent vs. just using the space rent free? We have rented the space out in the past to outside tenants. We were told the benefits would be that our business would get to deduct the rent we pay, and that it would make the property look better from an income perspective if we ever wanted to apply for a loan and use the property as an income source.

Thanks in advance!

@Account Closed Thanks for your post. I have an applicant that's pushing back on our no pet policy and supposedly has a dog that's a service and emotional support certified animal. Are you saying that he has to specifically ask for a "reasonable accommodation" and if they haven't then provide them the letter you posted? At this point he has simply filled out a rental application and stated that he has a certified animal but no further information was provided. Appreciate your input and perspective.

@Todd Groom Hello and thank you for the offer to share your doc. I'd love to see a copy of it as I'm dealing with a potential tenant who's pushing things a bit. Thanks so much!

The city keeps moving the Emergency Order out. See the yellow callout box at the top right https://housing.lacity.org

The order was supposed to expire 6/2 and now it's 6/24. I check this page regularly (we own a RSO triplex) and they literally just keep changing the date.

For RSO, no evictions OR rent increases for a full year AFTER the order is ended (which seem like will never happen.)

See the red type at the end of the first section 

https://housing.lacity.org/cov...

Rent increases do "seem" to be allowed in non RSO units.

Sounds like CAR is the best route but I have been using the California form from Nolo for awhile now.

Such a nice place! You did a great job styling it. Can you share at all about why it was so long and tedious? Is that just the way it is or where there unexpected issues that came up? Is Yucca saturated with STRs in your opinion? All the best in your hosting endeavors!