Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things.
We signed up for a new phone number for dealing with rental stuff, and bought the numbers to go on the sign today. Three hours later, we got our first call. Crazy. I haven't gotten around to getting it on Craig's List yet or anything.
The guy is deciding between a house and a studio, depending on whether he has a roommate or not. He thought the price was reasonable ($800) which is nice to hear. He (or at least his cell phone) is from Fort Meyers; I wonder if Pittsburghers are more likely to think the price is too high. We seem to get a mix of people - some people think it is too cheap, others think it is too expensive.
I need to figure out what to do about the water bill. As a tenant, I never paid water, but now as a landlord, I found out that if the tenant doesn't pay it, the creditors come after me... So, I want to at least make sure that the bills are being paid, but it seems good to not give free water, so then the tenants are less likely to use a lot, which is good from an environmental standpoint.
I need to type up a couple paragraphs and record it, so I don't have to repeat myself for each call. One of our VOIP providers (providing primary incoming calls) has decided they no longer need to respond to support requests, so I am looking for a new provider. Out of all of them that I emailed on Sunday, only one got back to me, and they seem good, though 600% more expensive than our old provider, which puts the bill at $4/month for incoming calls, but, if they are as good as they claim, it'll probably be worth the extra money.
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I think that having the tenant pay for water is reasonable. I've paid it in all three places that I've rented in N. Virginia. At the two homes that I rented, I (and roommates) were responsible for contacting the water provider (the city/county) and getting an account. However, before we could get our security deposit back, we had to show that it was paid in full. We were told that an unpaid water bill will become a lien against the property (and hence the owner), rather than the account holder (as cable or electricity would).
The first place I rented here was an apartment, so the water bill was split based on occupancy and square footage. Now, it's paid out of my condo fees and so all the homeowners share the cost.
Thanks. We might have a tenant(!) - I meet with them tomorrow, and they weren't put off by having to pay the water bill, so that sounds good to me.
It turns out that it is sort of hard to get the water switched out of our name, so we'll just be billing it directly to the tenant.
Of course, that implies the tenants are going to pay their bills at all, which I'm starting to doubt...
Um, what does that mean? Your tenants are in for a free ride?!?!
Not quite - they paid extra upfront, but if they don't pay for next month, they will start eating into that reserve, and it is apparently really hard to get rid of people, so I am not looking forward to that process.
Yeeps, and I always freak out if I forget my rent and pay it on the 2nd. The concern is added to the prayer list.
Thank you for your prayers. One of the tenants called last night at 5 to see if the bank was still open (they deposit their money into an account I opened for them). She said she had all of the money, and would deposit it today.
Police were at the Carroll Street house again yesterday.
Yeah, I heard. I had posted on the other article you had written on, saying that we have asked them to leave by the end of the January.
I am sorry, I really was only watching out for your well being as I feel you were going to get burned by this woman. She also has a neighbor from across the street in your house for short frequent visits? Jennifer being local there is alot known about her.
Just a head's up for you. When Jennifer's friends next door and across the street are coherent they are giving her advice about her situation. They are telling her to take you to the magistrate because you cannot evict her for the reasons you gave. Jennifer has been telling them you went into the house while she was not at home and did not tell her first. The boyfriend was screaming on the porch on his cell phone that they signed a 3-year lease. She also said she paid first & last months rent and gave you a security deposit so she is not leaving until February. But that sounds to me exactly what you said the end of January.
I guess she can try, but she doesn't have a year lease, so it isn't really evicting, as far as I know.
I am amazed how people who own nothing always seem to know everything, if that makes sense to you?
3 police cars tonight
There is a broken window in the back of the house. The police sent 6 cars on Saturday. I feel bad for the little boy.
I saw the window. The police aren't able to tell me what is going on - whenever I call they say I need to call back at a different time. Do you know what time they were there?
Less than a month left...
Saturday afternoon, from the sound of it they are there for domestic disputes. They have been moving things out for awhile now. She blames him for the move, he blames her. She lives there, the boyfriend, the little boy, and some girl. On Saturday, she must of thrown her diamond (?) ring because after they resolved whatever the issue was this time, they were combing the street and yards for the ring. I am sincere in wishing you the best with your property. You can't pick the perfect tenant but you can at least have renter's that respect your property.
Talked to Jen today, and they are all set for moving out on the 3rd. It was a very pleasant conversation.
She said the only thing that is wrong with the property is the window, and that they know someone who is going to fix it. Maybe they actually will get some of their security deposit back - I was counting on all of it being blown.
And she said she's coming back on the 4th to vacuum and stuff, which I also didn't expect. This whole thing has been interesting - sometimes they seem like wonderful people, and seems like things should have really worked out well for them here, and then other times, they seem like the worst possible tenants, and I have to call and talk to the magistrate about eviction, etc.
But, hopefully, I'll avoid any more conversations with the magistrate...
Then we'll be able to think about what to do next with the property.
I talked to a neighbor the other day, and they were perhaps more concerned if I sell it versus renting, which I thought was interesting - that, as long as we own it, we'll look after it, and try to get good tenants, etc., but if someone else buys it, they won't care about the neighborhood, etc. and so who knows who will come in. They are grateful that these tenants are leaving, but are hopeful that we'd be able to find someone else.
Heather said that she had assumed we would be selling to a family "just like us", but that you can't pick your buyers - even less than you can pick your tenants.
The distance is a little hard, but I think with good tenants, I would like to continue to rent, so maybe we'll put up the sign again, and see how it goes.
Heather, Jon, & family. We are sorry your tenant did not work out. Actually in the long run, you got lucky getting them out as soon as you did. I was really just looking out for your property, not causing trouble. I would not of bothered you if I had known you had someone watching it for you. We were just talking the other day about when Heather brought dinner for us when Patrick was born. Leeann is having her third boy in 5 weeks. Matthew Robert will be his name. I wish you the best with your next renter. I also have to watch the house across from me while she stays with her daughter who is ill. Since I have lived on this street my whole life it's just natural to look out for the neighbors. Take care.
Thank you. (and thank you for letting me know who you are, as that was puzzling).