All Forum Posts by: Robert Steele

I read that the Texas Association of Realtors sued the City of Garland a year or two back for $1.3MM over their rental registration program - which they have since toned down considerably.

Yes, beware. They started it in Richardson a few years back as "oh we just want to keep track of rentals". The next year it was "oh now we need to do inspections". The following year it was "oh and now it is going to cost you $50". This year it was "oh now it is going to cost you $75".

They find out whether it is rental or not by comparing the name on the city water utility bill to the property tax records.

It is mandatory. Thus the $2K/day fine if you don't comply.

I think it is a breach of ours and our tenants 4th amendment right.

Be careful. In Texas the state law requires property managers to let the tenant know who the landlord is. Of course, they are not the tenant yet so obfuscate the truth all you want ;)

Does anyone else have these rental registration programs where the City forces you to pay a yearly fee to register your rental property?

Where they force you to allow a city inspector in every time a tenant moves in. Even if the tenant objects to the invasion of privacy.

Where if the inspection fails (due to not just legitimate health and safety issue but frivolous things like flaking exterior paint) you have to pay for a re-inspection each time until the property passes?

Where if you don't comply you can be fined thousands of dollars per day by the City?

The City of Richardson, TX does.

Hey if this is a REO and there is a tenant in it aren't they protected under the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009? It is probably going to take you longer than a month to get them out.

When Zillow first came out I thought it was rubbish. I checked back a couple of years later and it was still rubbish. Then a year or so later it was in the ballpark. Now I am suprised at how accurate it is. I have access to the MLS and comp my rentals regularly. Zillow was spot on for 80% of my properties. The other 20% were way off.

So I would use it for a rough estimate but would not base a deal on it.

I had a co-signer once. A young couple engaged to be married got her mom on the lease as a cosigner. They couple split up, the daughter got arrested for meth and robbery. She completely trashed the house.

The repair estimate was $8K. I told the mom that either she pay up or my lawyer said it would $14K including legal fees and we would put a lien on her million dollar home. I was renting in Texas. She was a big shot Realtor in California.

It took about a year of regular payments to get the $8K from her.

Whatever your lease states - getting the money is usually like trying to get blood from a stone.

This happened to me a few months back. Fortunately I rent to professionals and business owners. My tenants gave me 2 months rent to break the lease and move out. I had it leased the day after they handed the place to me in fantastic condition - cleaner than I had given it to them. :)

Actually, the state laws regarding this may surprise you. I use the standard Texas Real Estate Commission promulgated lease form and the wording on when I can enter the property without notice is very loose.

That said I respect my tenants and their privacy so I always give them at least 24 hours notice and always try to line up my visits for when they will be home.

It is impossible for me to find a decent pool company to do some major repairs. Most won't return my calls and the ones that do have loads of complaints filed against them. You wouldn't imagine it would be that hard - especially considering it is off peak season.

Can anyone on BP refer me to a company in DFW that is competent and reasonably priced?