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I am close to signing a lease on a very cute house. When I first got the info on the house I googled the address to find exact square footage and more pictures possibly from old listings. I found that the person I was communicating with about the house was listed publicly as the owner. However, during our communication this landlord keeps referring to the owner and speaking as if she is just the face of the rental company (a company name that gives no results in our area when searched for).
We did a viewing at the house with the current tenant, and have been back and forth on information. In the two weeks we has been in contact she still seems to be hiding the fact that she is the owner. Just today when asked about modifying something in the lease before signing it, she said she would have to check with the owner and is waiting to hear from them.
I find this very odd. Is there any benefit to her to not disclose that she is the owner? Should I be wary of renting from someone like this?
I would ask her directly the next time you see her and listen to what she says and how she reacts. If you don't like what she says, find another rental.
There are some extremely goofy landlords out there. On the other hand, she might have a twin sister who is starting a company. You don't know until you ask.
Unfortunately no twin sister it's the same name . I just asked her - I thought you were the owner of the house? I didn't mention that public records have her listed as the owner. Hasn't replied just yet but I just find it so odd why someone would hide that and can't figure out if I'm missing something.
And she does seem to be starting up a rental company which, good for her, but why the secrecy over her own house?
Last edited by Count David; 05-14-2014 at 01:04 PM..
its so much easier to tell "no" to a tenant when you are just relaying back information from an outside "owner", rather than being direct and confrontational about it.
For example,
Tenant: "Can I have a dog?"
landlady/owner: "No, I hate dogs and I. do. not. want. YOU having one in my house"
VS
Tenant: "Can I have a dog?"
landlady: "I'm so sorry hun, but the owner has a very strict policy of no pets allowed, I love dogs, but the owners will not allow it".
Maybe she is a super-nice landlady, who hates or maybe is just bad at negotiating a "no", and hiding behind a fake, outside owner makes it easier for her to run her business.
Thanks, I'm hoping that's all it is and I'm sure you're right as I can't think of a reason of why else to hide it. I have had some super shady landlords in the past and don't trust any of them!
Look, the last thing you want is a crazy landlord who might do all kinds of unpredictable things. I think it's a fair question to ask. Tell her you want to meet the actual owner next time and see what she says.
You can even say, "you know with all the scams I just want to be sure who is representing the owner or who you are before I hand you a check/personal info etc"
Its rather simple,
its so much easier to tell "no" to a tenant when you are just relaying back information from an outside "owner", rather than being direct and confrontational about it.
For example,
Tenant: "Can I have a dog?"
landlady/owner: "No, I hate dogs and I. do. not. want. YOU having one in my house"
VS
Tenant: "Can I have a dog?"
landlady: "I'm so sorry hun, but the owner has a very strict policy of no pets allowed, I love dogs, but the owners will not allow it".
^^This^^
Yeah...She didn't want you to know that her LLC or S Corp or whatever was her. It makes for a much more businesslike transaction, which you can't hold against her. I knew a guy that lived in an apartment building he owned, and even hired a resident manager. He held it as one of his closest secrets that he was the owner; he didn't want tenants complaining directly to him about stuff, etc...The resident manager was the only one who knew and he had the RM sign an NDA as part of his employment contract, although anyone could have dug it up and found out that "Smith Properties LLC" was Steve smith in APT 412.
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. I just asked her - I thought you were the owner of the house? I didn't mention that public records have her listed as the owner. Hasn't replied just yet but I just find it so odd why someone would hide that and can't figure out if I'm missing something.
