Heating issues

[wordsmith680]

Because of a soft rental market, I agreed to pay utilities. The bills have not been too bad on that unit (with the Hydrosil). I have three subsidized tenants in two different buildings, it can be good or bad. I have been hurt bad a couple of times, but I don't judge the person by the means he/she has......but I do check references! Establish the rules by a lease and enforce them (shouldn't be tough when your downstairs.)

[nicnicman]

Are credit reports and background reports acceptable?

[wordsmith680]

Those are appropriate and a documented reference from their current landlord. If you think a credit report is necessary, be sure to get a nonrefundable deposit to cover the cost. Regards.

[roadrat]

Originally Posted by Fort Lauderdale mermaid

Bill, isn't illegal to discriminate against a single woman w/kids? When I was a landlord at home I had to be very careful regarding the wording. Maybe it has changed within the last couple years?
I agree with the rest of your post, it's all spot on regarding guest policies and parking issues. I did allow a section 8 tenant once. At least I knew the rent was going to be paid on time. He was fine for the most part, it was his cat that had to go. Eventually they both left. After investing another couple grand into it, it was re-rentable. Lesson learned, the hard way.

If the apartment is one bedroom you are not required by law to rent to someone with a child or children.

bill

[missylyn]

Originally Posted by roadrat

Being a land lord even for just a single apartment can be a real pain in the a$$, If you don't include the heat you will have to offer very low rent, this will draw tenants that are shall we say "low rent" , you also don't want your "low rent tenant" getting creative and tring to heat the apartment with something that ends up burning the place to the ground.
I would tie the heat into your furnace if you can and maybe suppliment your heat with a pellet stove to help keep your oil use down, also if you can afford it replace the 20 year old furnce with a new more effient model.
Some other tips for the apartment make it a one bedroom, this will make it harder to rent but will also give you the option of refusing to rent to anyone with children (welfare mothers on section 8 tend to attract large drunk/stoned baby daddys who will then proceed to unoffially move in), you can also refuse to rent to a couple of young 20 somethings who will party till dawn with 30 of there closes dringking buddies on a tuesday night.
tip #2 Do not allow smokers, you will have to repaint the place for each new tenant.
tip #3 establish a strict overnight guest policy, no more than one guest for 1 or 2 nights per month or week,(there is nothing like being late for work because Joe tenants 6 drinking buddies are spending the night and have blocked your car in) figure out what is best for you.
tip #4 establish a strict parking policy (see tip #3).

hope this helps.

bill

hi bill. not trying to get your feathers rustled up and i do respect everything you are saying and i have seen many ppl in my age group act like that. but just so you know me and my husband are in our twenties, and we have one child. we both work hard work to support our child. and we don't make very much considering we do not have a tech lic. or coll degree. and we aren't partiers, we are home bodies but thats b/c we can't afford to do things like that so please don't stereotype against all of the ppl that are in our age group, it just makes life harder for the ones that are mature, responsible and considerate. and please just keep that in mind. if someone is going to rent out an appartment they should take the time to screen their tenats thourghly ask for referances and such. and the land lord should let the nieve immature younger couples know what activity is tolerated and what is not. and have everything it in a written agreement, so that if they violate such terms they will have to face eviction, threaten with court or raise the rent, or even say for each violation you have to pay this much and after 4 violations your out! no body wants extra charges and as long as it is on paper with all parties signature in can be brought to court if terms are violated.