All Forum Posts by: Zach Schwarzmiller

Welcome Phil!I am over in Snohomish County. If your ever in the area and want to get a coffee let me know. I've got one of each type of tenants in my buildings currently as well!

The emotional aspect can make it tricky! It's all just "stuff" - definitley keep the investment mind-set!

Welcome Marius! Great idea! I owner occupy a triplex in Snohomish.

Good points thank you. i wonder if dummy cameras and flood lights would do the job just efficiently

I am debating installing security cameras on my triplex, but am concerned about legal issues. A couple of my concerns are as follows:

- If they malfunction and an incident happens outside my triplex. Am I liable because the victim thought it would be recorded and it was not?

- Is there any invasion of privacy issues associated with this?

I would leave sound recording off but want to monitor video.

My cars along with multiple neighbors cars have been badly keyed recently and I have a very problematic tenant as well.

If anyone has any advise who I could contact in regards to these questions it would be greatly appreciated. I don't see anything about it in the Landlord Tenant Laws, but that does not mean it could still be an issue. My property is located in Snohomish, Snohomish County, Washington State.

Thank You!

Everett - excellent. That's where my office is located. There was an older, but updated 5 unit which hit the market on Friday at over an 8 cap. Much different than core Seattle!

I am in "greater" mainly Snohomish County as I can obtain a higher target IRR over the longer term hold with smaller multifamily. What areas and asset classes are you looking into?

Steph, both are families. One is family of 3 other is family of 4. I have City coming out Monday to look at individual meters for me. I was talked out of spitting utilities so I am not chasing these and came up with a different program for now. $1,200 due on 1st or $1,000 rent on 1st $300 on 17th. Well see what happens, hope to retain the tenants but can't loose money.

Thanks Al!

Update:

The Washington State Legislative Information Center has said that "Third Party Billing" (not the utility) is not prohibited under Washington State Law but is prohibited by some city or county ordinances. Some of the ordinances that allow it place some additional rules on the practice.

City of Snohomish was confused by my question and said they don't have anything in writing so it would fall under state law. I emailed the Mayor in an attempt to get a written confirmation of this.

Snohomish County said they don't believe they have anything either and as I am in the City of Snohomish I would follow their rules and only deal with the County if i were unincorporated. Also working on getting written confirmation on this from the lady I spoke with.

So far from a legal standpoint it seems it is legitimate, just not something that is usually practiced among landlords.

Other parts of Washinton are better, but Snohomish is notorious for being very high WSG. My units are large also 3bed/2.5bath.