High end rental - Filthy (by Ella [VA]) Nov 1, 2009 4:41 PM
High end rental - Filthy (by Irish [MD]) Nov 1, 2009 4:46 PM
High end rental - Filthy (by Ella [VA]) Nov 1, 2009 5:01 PM
High end rental - Filthy (by Irish [MD]) Nov 1, 2009 5:15 PM
High end rental - Filthy (by Josh [CA]) Nov 1, 2009 5:18 PM
High end rental - Filthy (by melinda [MD]) Nov 1, 2009 5:24 PM
High end rental - Filthy (by MrRational [MD]) Nov 1, 2009 5:25 PM
High end rental - Filthy (by Smokowna [MD]) Nov 1, 2009 5:25 PM
High end rental - Filthy (by Ella [VA]) Nov 1, 2009 5:28 PM
High end rental - Filthy (by 574-Brad [IN]) Nov 1, 2009 5:34 PM
High end rental - Filthy (by Jason PA [PA]) Nov 1, 2009 5:35 PM
High end rental - Filthy (by Anon [VA]) Nov 1, 2009 5:36 PM
High end rental - Filthy (by Ella [VA]) Nov 1, 2009 5:37 PM
High end rental - Filthy (by Pat [VA]) Nov 1, 2009 5:50 PM
High end rental - Filthy (by Ella [VA]) Nov 1, 2009 6:20 PM
High end rental - Filthy (by Getty [GA]) Nov 2, 2009 12:21 AM
High end rental - Filthy (by AllyM [NJ]) Nov 2, 2009 5:10 AM
High end rental - Filthy (by Cat [WI]) Nov 2, 2009 8:53 AM
High end rental - Filthy (by Linda in Seattle [WA]) Nov 2, 2009 5:51 PM
High end rental - Filthy (by Ella [VA]) Posted on: Nov 1, 2009 4:41 PM Message:
State Specific Question About: VIRGINIA (VA)
Hi, we have a rental and after 2.5 years our tenants notified us that they bought a house and will be moving. This is a high end rental that draws professionals. With giving the 24 hour notice of a showing and asking them to make sure that the townhouse was vacuumed and tidy...we walked into the most shameful pig sty imaginable. Not only was the place filthy but they had food boxes and other things blocking walk ways into room, the garage floor was covered with no path to show a storage closet, etc. Can we hold them responsible for not getting a new tenant due to the home being unlivable? I was so embarrassed and just hope the folks we showed it to could see the bones underneath and how nice it really is...ahhh.
--69.255.xxx.xxx |
High end rental - Filthy (by Irish [MD]) Posted on: Nov 1, 2009 4:46 PM Message:
Simple answer is NO.
I suggest that you do not show to any more prospective applicants until they vacate, and you get the unit cleaned up.
It sounds like you never entered & inspected the condition in all of that 2 1/2 yrs to see the see and correct the filty condition ....
Seems like you need to change your property mgmt. style to nip these type of problems in the bud... --74.110.xx.xx |
High end rental - Filthy (by Ella [VA]) Posted on: Nov 1, 2009 5:01 PM Message:
Hi there and thank you for your answer. We have stayed involved in the property for maintenance issues but always overlooked the uncleanliness as they seemed so insulted when I mentioned it once. Young lawyers. Can we charge them to have it cleaned? Comes out of their security deposit? Very frustrating...this was our first home and it is hard to see it so uncared for. Also, their dog chewed a whole in our kitchen cabinet and they covered it with tape...we saw it during another visit, but didn't say anything...before they covered it with tape. That will definitely come out of their deposit... We need to show it so not to lose rent...any ideas...they are out at the end of the month. --69.255.xxx.xxx |
High end rental - Filthy (by Irish [MD]) Posted on: Nov 1, 2009 5:15 PM Message:
Sure you can charge and deduct for cleaning ...AFTER they move out.
Forget about showing in the filty condition because most applicants will never want to rent in that present condition as well as to think that you will perhaps not clean it up before they move in...
Your BAD for not correcting the filth long ago...
Live and learn & do better next time...
Yes, you are definately gonna have some lost rent until they vacate and you get it cleaned up...
--74.110.xx.xx |
High end rental - Filthy (by Josh [CA]) Posted on: Nov 1, 2009 5:18 PM Message:
wait until they are out. You are wasting your time showing dirty. You may attract an even more dirty tenant.
--24.176.xxx.xx |
High end rental - Filthy (by melinda [MD]) Posted on: Nov 1, 2009 5:24 PM Message:
We recently went through what you are going through. Short term (6 mo) tenants, young professionals, kept the house a MESS! I even brought over some plastic storage containers for them to put their debris and clothing in (instead of on the floor). When the house was being shown and they had been notified in advance, they would not even throw the comforter on the bed. We took the house off of the market. After they left we got a contract. Settlement this week. WAIT until they move out to show. --69.161.xx.xx |
High end rental - Filthy (by MrRational [MD]) Posted on: Nov 1, 2009 5:25 PM Message:
even if the unit were pristine... showing while tenants are in place is always problematic at best.
when they are really gone: shampoo the carpets, repair what is needed, wash EVERYTHING thoroughly... and THEN show it.
don't forget to ding the tenant's SD for the cleaning and repair if it isn't just like when the tenant moved in... you do have pictures, right?
--65.127.xxx.xxx |
High end rental - Filthy (by Smokowna [MD]) Posted on: Nov 1, 2009 5:25 PM Message:
A rental house has 100,000 miles put on it every year. It was your first home but it is no more than a tool to your savings account now. After ten years, fifteen years, your first home would look old anyway. At that time you would remodel it to bring into a condition and style that would compliment your tastes.
Cleaning up the smell after lawyers is hard. They are so disgusting that they leave a bad taste in your mouth. In this case you have enjoyed 30 months of payments, it looks as though you will lose December because you will need time to clean after them.
Keep advertising, use older pictures from your files and let people know that the pictures are not current so to protect the privacy of the current tenants.
When people call about the rental, explain that you don't want to inconvenience the tenants until the last week of the month, where most likely they will be living in boxes prior to their move.
These folks need to go through closing, moving and any number of other delays. Be certain they will be out before committing to new tenants.
Depending on the relationship you have with the bottom feeders, you may want to send in a maid to clean the bathrooms, kitchen, laundry etc. I often do this if I feel that there is someone waiting to take the spot. I pay for the service but I don't mind at all. --71.191.xxx.xxx |
High end rental - Filthy (by Ella [VA]) Posted on: Nov 1, 2009 5:28 PM Message:
OK, Do you think it would be worth saying that the condition of the property for showings is hurting us in re-renting it? These guys are such cold, lawyer types and I don't want them to lash out...wierd couple. Ahhh, the joys of being a landlord. Every tenant in our home has been so nice and easy to work with and then these two look good on paper and are just pigs and expect the world... --69.255.xxx.xxx |
High end rental - Filthy (by 574-Brad [IN]) Posted on: Nov 1, 2009 5:34 PM Message:
Don't show a dirty house. Even if your next tenants are as filthy as these were, they would not want to live in someone else's mess. Ideal tenants will run and not come back.
On Monday, get that cabinet door ordered, and then start asking around someone... will be happy to clean that house for $7-$9 an hour, and will have it done by Wednesday or Thursday. If there is large amounts of trash, some guy with a pickup will be glad to haul it all off, and charge you only barely more than the landfill fees and gas money. With any luck, you'll be ready to start showing on Friday (6th) --66.228.xxx.xxx |
High end rental - Filthy (by Jason PA [PA]) Posted on: Nov 1, 2009 5:35 PM Message:
I don't know if you could try to charge for not being clean enough to show. I just take it as one of those things I get screwed out of $$$ on mosr of the time. --98.111.xxx.xxx |
High end rental - Filthy (by Anon [VA]) Posted on: Nov 1, 2009 5:36 PM Message:
Just leave them alone until they're safely out and you can clean up the place. Don't even bother trying to show it before then. You're just going to have to bite the bullet and have a vacant month. You had 30 good months and that's more then a lot of us get! --70.16.xxx.xxx |
High end rental - Filthy (by Ella [VA]) Posted on: Nov 1, 2009 5:37 PM Message:
We are using our old pictures...are that is what always get the bites. The house is in a hot location and we have not had trouble renting it. The couple we showed it to tonight are also lawyers...but with a 2 year old...maybe they will be nicer if they decide to rent. They said they could see how nice it was under all of their stuff...just so embarrassing...who lives like this!!?? As one on you said...the bottom dwellers...so true!! They also drug their feet in signing the new lease...didn't respond to dropping it in their door or phone call follow up. In VA you once the lease goes to MTM you can only request 30 days notice...instead of talking to us like adults and letting us know that they are trying to buy a place, they sent "an intent to vacate" email with all kinds of legal language and even asked for interest on their deposit! I guess if it is over 18 months in VA it is possible to request...so crazy! We have jumped to their every need within hours and go above and beyond...we are just those kind of people, but this is definitely leaving a bad taste in my husband's mouth...so we may have to redo our lease and get a little tougher with more inspections,etc. I hate to punish the folks ahead for these bottom dwellers! Thank you all so very much for your responses...it helps us feel less alone in all of this! --69.255.xxx.xxx |
High end rental - Filthy (by Pat [VA]) Posted on: Nov 1, 2009 5:50 PM Message:
I thought it was 13 months & then you have to pay interest on deposit? Only if you have more than ten units I believe. Check on the landlord/tenant state laws listed for Va, above left.
As stated above, make sure they vacate before you commit to new tenants. Delays can happen at a closing. Sounds like they may create problems in every transaction they make. --76.5.xx.xxx |
High end rental - Filthy (by Ella [VA]) Posted on: Nov 1, 2009 6:20 PM Message:
Thank you Pat...I will definitely check it out! You are right...these guys are definitely bad news. The man thinks that we are his lacky...my husband once put him in his place when he sent a note with the rent "telling" him to water his grass and new flowers while he was on vacation...that is the only thing we have said no to, but he definitely was not happy...live and learn with these types! --69.255.xxx.xxx |
High end rental - Filthy (by Getty [GA]) Posted on: Nov 2, 2009 12:21 AM Message:
Because someone doesn't live in an immaculately clean home does not make them bottom dwellers. If the home is cluttered or dirty without damaging the structure of your property or causing a pest infestation - I don't see what the issue is. Also, things like this don't happen overnight if it was in fact that dirty.
I also do not fault your tenants for sending you an intent to vacate in writing nor do I fault them for exercising any of their legal options including requesting interest on their security deposit if the landlord tenant laws of Virgina require a landlord to pay the tenant interest on their security deposit.
And finally you had a tenant who was concerned with the grass and flowers being watered while they were on vacation and your husband "put him in his place."
Maybe this mess just put you in your place. --68.115.xxx.xx |
High end rental - Filthy (by AllyM [NJ]) Posted on: Nov 2, 2009 5:10 AM Message:
Yes, that's a problem with high end people who think they should have better and that your place is not good enough.
They use it for a garbage can. Had that happen once. --76.99.xxx.xx |
High end rental - Filthy (by Cat [WI]) Posted on: Nov 2, 2009 8:53 AM Message:
I agree with others in that you should NOT show the property while dirty. It does just drive the good ones away.
DO NOT under any circumstances try to get someone to be able to move in, when these tenants are finally out. You will need cleanup, repair and paint time and having someone scheduled to move in, before it it ready, will only put extra stress on you and also if it is not ready, the tenant that is supposed to get in there, via a signed lease can sue. Think of how awful it would be, if you were a tenant that had already given notice to move into a place and then had that place not be ready. In addition the prospective tenants landlord may have another person scheduled to get into their old apartment. It could get very legal, very expensive and very ugly and there would be no way out of it for you.
Just chalk up the extra month in cleanup. You are very lucky that you had tenants that stayed that long. If your market can handle it, raise rents slightly if still in the market price area. That will help you cover the lost rent. If you are already at market for a comparable unit, do NOT raise rents or you may find it harder to fill than you think. It is much harder to find a tenant in these times and I have even had to lower rents and criteria to get them, although I will not take anyone not screened.
Check with your state laws to see if you can charge for labor at reasonable rate to do the cleaning, etc. Some states allow it and some do not. If not, hire someone to come in and clean after they are entire out and you have the keys.
In my experience, closings are often delayed and sometimes do not happen at all, so keep that in mind. Hope this helps.
Cat --207.190.xxx.xxx |
High end rental - Filthy (by Linda in Seattle [WA]) Posted on: Nov 2, 2009 5:51 PM Message:
Prospects will always say they can see past the mess, but they NEVER DO. I've learned no to show a place until it is clean, maybe not empty, but CLEAN and that is the only way a tenant will pay for what the unit is worth. I had a guy, disabled, who was give a 2-day to show his apartment. Fifty people showed up (great location) and with the garbage stinking up the place and poop on the toilet seat, etc, I had to rent it to the only person who stayed long enough to fill out an application...at a discount. Although the relatives cleaned the place beautifully later, the prospects could not see past anything. --24.17.xxx.xxx |
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