All Forum Posts by: Wayne Smith

@Rob Beland

I personally delivered the 3 day notice (which is required here before you can start legal eviction preceedings)   After he read the notice, that is when he first informed me of "issues", and I know that is just to try to counter the eviction, but I am sure it won't work.  I was worried about the situation escalating if i go for a walk thru, and then it looking bad for me in court later.

@Jake Recz

My thinking exactly.  And I want to protect my house as well so if repairs are needed I want them done ASAP.

@Michael Hayworth

I have been to the JP here for eviction and they are very straight forward and don't put up with much from the tenants, I was more worried about my house and the repairs that might possibly be needed since it has been raining a lot here.

Wow very impressive and quite an inspiration for us "little" guys lol   keep up the good work and continue to thrive!!

I have recently given my tenant a 3 day eviction notice and filed to have them evicted with the courts here in Texas.  My issue is that when I served the 3 day notice to the tenant, he said "Good, now we can start discussing the issues on the property".   Long story short, he is claiming the ac has mold in the duct work (and him and his kids are getting sick), the ceiling is caving in from a roof leak, the sewer is backing up, and there is a roach infestation.   He has lived in the place for a little over a year, and has NEVER given me a written notice about any maintenance issues as required by my lease.   Also, he owns a handyman/remodeling business, although not very successful it seems.   I filed for eviction with the courts on Friday and have a court date next week, but I was wondering if I  should go do a walk thru on the house before the court date and take pictures, as I am sure he is lying about the condition of the house.   If I do go do a walk thru, should I send him a certified letter stating when the walk thru would be? or just show up?  I do have it in my lease that I can do a walk thru anytime.   I am worried about him turning it into a major issue when I do  a walk thru, but feel i should do one for my own protection and to inspect the house as well. 

@Nat C.

If you decide to sue the previous owner, were there tenants in place when you bought it?   Did they complain to the previous owner about the plumbing issues?  If so that could be a HUGE  help to a suit.  Good luck.

@Jeremy Fields

I like Aly's idea, but I solve it by putting in my lease that the tenant pays the first $75 of any repair, and this includes items like you have listed.  My time is worth something and if they want me to fix all these small issues, I need to be compensated.   At the same time, I would not be opposed to them making a list and I could go by quarterly and do these repairs, with out charging for them.  I look at it as the tenant is trying to take care of my place.

I currently have 1- rentals, but have had as many as 14 at one time, and have managed all of them myself and have done most of the maintenance myself.   It can be overwhelming when everything breaks at once, and most of the time it is when  I am working.   I do put in my leases that the tenant is responsible for the first $75 in repairs, that way I am not getting calls to come change a light bulb, and minor things like that that anyone should be able to fix.  I also have a list of repairmen to call when I don't have time to fix things myself.

@Barbara G.

I would ask for 1050, then after inspection and the inspector doing a rent evaluation in your area, they will come up with a price they will pay.   You can always go down, but once you say 900, they wont pay more.   At least that's the way it is in my area.

Not sure about the garages but I have had decent luck with Section 8 tenants.  My complaint is the long wait time for initial inspection and approval (was about a month) and the inspector (only inspector in my area) is VERY moody.   Sometimes the nicest guy in the world and very helpful, other times making me fix odd things.   I will say they pay well for my area, and I have never had any problems with inspections or after the 2nd inspection with them not paying me full months rent.   And my rent check it always direct deposited to my account on the 3rd.

@Mindy Jensen

Yes I am sure it is, I can also see them finding things wrong after living there and having second thoughts about buying.   I would not rent to a buyer without  a large non refundable deposit.   It cost me money as well as time by having the house off the market for 4+ months, that were the prime time to sell.  Good luck Mindy