To all landlords on here... (renters, movers, credit check)

[NHborn]

What are some things you can tell me about renting my house out that somebody who hasn't ever been a landlord might not be expecting/think about?

[Not_liking_FL]

Hire a good property manager.

[rezfreak]

Originally Posted by Not_liking_FL

Hire a good property manager.

This. My house is owned by century 21 which makes it easy for us (as renters). The owner lives in Oklahoma right now (they're also military), but since century 21 manages it, they have good and fast resources for repairs that a plain homeowner probably wouldnt.

[Maggi07]

Screen your tenants. That is SO important. We do a credit check and criminal history check. If I'm not comfortable with the results, I would rather have the house sit empty a bit longer.

Be a hard a$$. It was hard for me to do that at first, but I learned my lesson. If you bend the rules, many people will think they can break them. That doesn't mean you have to be unreasonable, just don't let them cross the lines you've drawn.

[Kim in FL]

I agree. Do not do this yourself if you've never done it. There's a lot to know...start with the Florida landlord tenant law and go from there. Being a landlord is not for the faint of heart...hire a good property management company. They will deal with the background checks, applications, repairs, maintenance and headaches of dealing with PITA tenants.

Remember, you're running a business, not a charity. Don't let your emotions or feelings get involved. EVER

[purehuman]

Make sure you know how many people will be moving in....make sure you write up a contract (it can be your own) that will specify what you want done..eg: keep the lawn mowed, not more than x number of vehicles at one time, no cutting down plants or trees etc etc..put in the contract that if they decide to leave they have to give you a months notice...tell your renters that if anything goes wrong with the house you want to be notified immediately, so you can correct it. specify if you have smoking tenants to smoke outside only...find out if they have any pets, and whether they'll be kept in the house or not....tell them that you may want to "visit" them in six months (to see how the house looks inside) but that you'll give then 24 hours notice beforehand...(that's something you'l probably only have to do once cause you'll know if they're respecting your property the first time)...good luck, hope they prove good and lasting tenants for you.

[purehuman]

Also take pictures of the house BEFORE anyone moves in...that way you've got proof of the condition.

[Kaybri73]

Like others have said, go through an agency. Every dime you spend make sure it goes through the agency so its on your year end statement. Everything becomes a tax right off. If I make a trip to NC and stop to check on my house I claim it as a tax write off.

[NHborn]

Thanks for all the replies guys, some good advice here. I don't really want to rent but its the only way for me to move where I want to be.

[LKJ1988]

Just don't do it. Too many midnite movers, drug dealers and bums that wll trash the place.