Renting out basement utility help (Arlington: renter, home, neighborhoods) - Northern Virginia - Virginia (VA) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

chiquitabanana9 · 08-29-2015, 01:29 PM

She signed a 1 year lease in February 2015. I asked her what her plans are and she said after the lease is up she'd like to sign another year lease. However we will revise the current lease if the toddler does move in and we increase the rent since it's all inclusive.

DrRuthie · 08-30-2015, 12:50 AM

Why not discuss with her so this isn't a surprise to her? Unless her lease specifically states 1 person only, raising the rent for a TODDLER is ridiculous. I personally would discuss my concern about the increase of utilities and then put her on notice that an increase of utility usage will be her responsibility. That way you're not arbitrarily picking some random amount that she may not even be the cause of. Also keep in mind the increase of utilities may not be the toddler. Compare the usage from a year ago and also the rates you're paying. You don't even know how much the increase of utilities will be for the toddler so how are you going to estimate an amount before the toddler even moves in?

BTW- a previous poster pointed out something you may want to consider- you're renting based on the space. If you're going to increase the rent above the amount of her actual usage, it may help to throw in something on your end like the kitchen you mentioned.

Lastly, communication is key. It doesn't seem like the tenant is giving you much issues. Give her the same respect and discuss before making any decisions, just like she did.

I edited my post to add, the idea of raising the rent simply because it's a toddler is a bit scummy to me. I'd consult the landlord-tenant handbook. Yes, there MAY be an increase of utilities but it seems like you want more money simply b/c it's a kid. Would you raise the rent for a teenager, a college student, another adult? This isn't comparable to a pet...the toddler is a human, not a dog. Yes, kids do increase wear and tear...but it is still wear and tear. If there's damage above wear and tear, use the security deposit. That's what it's for.

acgood · 08-30-2015, 09:03 AM

Agree, the valid reason to increase the rent is if you install a kitchenette and therefore increase the market value of the property.

ChristineVA · 08-30-2015, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrRuthie

Why not discuss with her so this isn't a surprise to her? Unless her lease specifically states 1 person only, raising the rent for a TODDLER is ridiculous. I personally would discuss my concern about the increase of utilities and then put her on notice that an increase of utility usage will be her responsibility. That way you're not arbitrarily picking some random amount that she may not even be the cause of. Also keep in mind the increase of utilities may not be the toddler. Compare the usage from a year ago and also the rates you're paying. You don't even know how much the increase of utilities will be for the toddler so how are you going to estimate an amount before the toddler even moves in?

BTW- a previous poster pointed out something you may want to consider- you're renting based on the space. If you're going to increase the rent above the amount of her actual usage, it may help to throw in something on your end like the kitchen you mentioned.

Lastly, communication is key. It doesn't seem like the tenant is giving you much issues. Give her the same respect and discuss before making any decisions, just like she did.

I edited my post to add, the idea of raising the rent simply because it's a toddler is a bit scummy to me. I'd consult the landlord-tenant handbook. Yes, there MAY be an increase of utilities but it seems like you want more money simply b/c it's a kid. Would you raise the rent for a teenager, a college student, another adult? This isn't comparable to a pet...the toddler is a human, not a dog. Yes, kids do increase wear and tear...but it is still wear and tear. If there's damage above wear and tear, use the security deposit. That's what it's for.

I agree with all of your post; however, one thing to consider, to the original poster's side of things, is that this is space within her home. Many people who rent out basements or rooms, do so with the understanding that it's ONE person. Having a tenant in your home, to me, is a pretty big deal. I mean, I think the understanding there when you rent out a 1 room basement is that it's one person. There's got to be some sort of control in the hands of a homeowner to stop a family from moving in. You expect to achieve some level of quiet in your home even with renting out to a person. To be honest, I wouldn't be keen on the idea because I think a toddler can be noisy. It could be a toddler that wakes at night and cries. I might not be up for that in a townhouse. Now, maybe if you want to pay me more to compensate for it, I might.

Of course, the original poster didn't state that as a concern. She was only concerned in the increase in utilities because she expects to keep the house warmer at night for the toddler. There may be some increased water use but I'm sure it's negligible.

chiquitabanana9 · 08-30-2015, 02:32 PM

Thank you everyone. I appreciate all of your input.

yolli71 · 08-31-2015, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrRuthie

Why not discuss with her so this isn't a surprise to her? Unless her lease specifically states 1 person only, raising the rent for a TODDLER is ridiculous. I personally would discuss my concern about the increase of utilities and then put her on notice that an increase of utility usage will be her responsibility. That way you're not arbitrarily picking some random amount that she may not even be the cause of. Also keep in mind the increase of utilities may not be the toddler. Compare the usage from a year ago and also the rates you're paying. You don't even know how much the increase of utilities will be for the toddler so how are you going to estimate an amount before the toddler even moves in?

BTW- a previous poster pointed out something you may want to consider- you're renting based on the space. If you're going to increase the rent above the amount of her actual usage, it may help to throw in something on your end like the kitchen you mentioned.

Lastly, communication is key. It doesn't seem like the tenant is giving you much issues. Give her the same respect and discuss before making any decisions, just like she did.

I edited my post to add, the idea of raising the rent simply because it's a toddler is a bit scummy to me. I'd consult the landlord-tenant handbook. Yes, there MAY be an increase of utilities but it seems like you want more money simply b/c it's a kid. Would you raise the rent for a teenager, a college student, another adult? This isn't comparable to a pet...the toddler is a human, not a dog. Yes, kids do increase wear and tear...but it is still wear and tear. If there's damage above wear and tear, use the security deposit. That's what it's for.

Wow...maybe it's just me but the OP is actually being extremely reasonable IMO. They shouldn't feel compelled to allow any extra person in their own home if they don't want to. Their tenant signed a lease and the OP wanted and only planned on having one person in their basement, and now the tenant is trying to switch it up (not blaming the tenant here...I'm just stating the facts).

If it were me, I would probably raise the rent. It doesn't matter if the increase in utilities is negligible...there will be an increase in utilities and there will be more wear and tear on the home and there will be more noise. The landlord can do whatever they want as it is their property. I'm sure many landlords would say "no" to any additional people, regardless of age. Would you have this same type of reaction if the OP just said "no" to the tenant? Or do you think landlords should just allow more people into their own home to live for free (oh and while they're at it...go ahead and throw in a new kitchen too)?

I guess I'm reading it completely differently than you in that the OP would either not allow another adult or teen in their home, or if they did, they would absolutely raise the rent. However, in this case with a toddler, they are willing to make an exception and not even raise the rent. The fact that the OP is considering all of this, and at zero expense to the tenant, is very nice if you ask me.

TheWatchmen · 08-31-2015, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yolli71

Wow...maybe it's just me but the OP is actually being extremely reasonable IMO. They shouldn't feel compelled to allow any extra person in their own home if they don't want to. Their tenant signed a lease and the OP wanted and only planned on having one person in their basement, and now the tenant is trying to switch it up (not blaming the tenant here...I'm just stating the facts).

If it were me, I would probably raise the rent. It doesn't matter if the increase in utilities is negligible...there will be an increase in utilities and there will be more wear and tear on the home and there will be more noise. The landlord can do whatever they want as it is their property. I'm sure many landlords would say "no" to any additional people, regardless of age. Would you have this same type of reaction if the OP just said "no" to the tenant? Or do you think landlords should just allow more people into their own home to live for free (oh and while they're at it...go ahead and throw in a new kitchen too)?

I guess I'm reading it completely differently than you in that the OP would either not allow another adult or teen in their home, or if they did, they would absolutely raise the rent. However, in this case with a toddler, they are willing to make an exception and not even raise the rent. The fact that the OP is considering all of this, and at zero expense to the tenant, is very nice if you ask me.

Agreed.

If it is just temporary, as in a couple of months, don't even worry about it. But the whole situation sounds strange - a toddler moving in with an aunt for an undetermined amount of time? Is she trying to gain custody of the child? The parents are just going to live somewhere else?

HokieFan · 08-31-2015, 01:46 PM

OP, is there a door between the basement and middle level? You state the house is immaculate - are you prepared for the mess and noise that comes with having a child live in the house?

Carlingtonian · 08-31-2015, 02:34 PM

I would charge a toddler fee. People charge renters pet fees all the time, and little kids are way more disgusting than dogs or cats.

spencgr · 08-31-2015, 06:41 PM

OP - Is this a legal rental without a kitchen, or does your lease indicate more of a roommate type situation? If this child goes to live with the aunt, there is a very good possibility that social services might be involved. Upon inspection of the home, which they can do, if it is not "legal", you might lose your really good renter.