RENTERS: NEVER AGAIN LIKE THIS LAST TIME

[slantflat]

I moved to a house across the neighborhood and rented out my old house. First people to move in were relatives of an old guy that lived in the neighborhood. Woman had five kids, all different dads. I'm not one to judge, but one day I was over there and a strange man was there. I said hi. He said who are you? I said, I own this house that's who I am. So one more man and two more kids later, and numerous cats they weren't supposed to have and I didn't renew them. Took me two hours to clean the kitchen floor and shampooing the carpet twice to get the cat smell out. And painting and fixing walls and, and... I sold the house. I said, I'm not going to completely rebuild my house every six months.

I had started thinking that I might want to get back into the rental business. Then this thread came up. Nah.

 

[Louie70Dart]

If there is a military installation close by that it would be safe to rent to them. Reason being is you call the commander and he would jump on the serviceman/tenant.

 

[65LoveAffair]

Since we're on the subject of rental homes here, I have a question on the subject of tenants leaving cars behind when they move out and vanish. I know there's a certain amount of time that property is supposed to be held on to, and that it varies state to state, but is there anything different with cars? A buddy has rental houses and a tenant vanished on him with no forwarding address. When he went to the house, the tenant had left a BMW X5 SUV in the garage. My buddy called the police and had them run the VIN and plates, and nothing incriminating came back, so he decided to hold on to it in case the tenant ever came back for it. This was two years ago. He still has it. Anybody know whether he can apply for lost title, or if it would have to be turned over to the police or a tow company? This is in Illinois. Thanks in advance.

 

[Louie70Dart]

Junk yards and repair shops are usually 30 days. If I were your buddy, I would search for abandoned vehicles, and see the time for that.

Here is for Illinois. I'll post the link also.

10.20.090 Unclaimed vehicles-Disposition.

A. Whenever an abandoned, lost, stolen or unclaimed motor vehicle or other vehicle seven years of age or newer remains unclaimed by the registered owner or other person legally entitled to its possession for a period of thirty (30) days after notice has been given as provided herein, the police department having possession of the vehicle shall cause it to be sold at public sale to the highest bidder. Notice of the time and place of the sale shall be posted in a conspicuous place for at least ten (10) days prior to the sale on the premises where the vehicle has been impounded. At least ten (10) days prior to the sale, the police department shall cause a notice of the time and place of the sale to be sent by certified mail to the registered owner or other person known by the police department or towing service to be legally entitled to the possession of the vehicle. Such notice shall contain a complete description of the vehicle to be sold and what steps must be taken by any legally entitled person to reclaim the vehicle.
B. In those instances where the certified notification specified herein has been returned by the postal authorities to the police department due to the addressee having moved, or being unknown at the address obtained from the registration records of this state, the sending of a second certified notice will not be required. (Prior code § 7-6-9)

Chapter 10.20 ABANDONED VEHICLES

 

[grean meany]

People in here now are stinking deadbeats. Substitute the 'f' bomb for stinking. They owe me a lot of money. I made a deal with them on a washer/dryer, patio table and a grill for reduced money they owe. Well I get their revision that the grill was promised to someone before the deal was made to me..... Nice priorities huh? I'm too ticked off to add more at this time. Or should I say rant?

i just cover one entire room in plastic trick them into getting something free.. pop them and roll the body up in carpet dig a real deep hole and back fill end of story

 

[gunbunny]

What about small claims court? Or garnishing their checks? Yeah, I'm screwed...... Since this a clean forum, expletive deletives have to be held back. I will try to find where they live and let their new landlord know the situation with them. Yeah, I can already feel the screwing coming........Bastards.

I've gotten judgements from 2 sets of renters. One for $1800 and the other was a 2 part. $3000 on the eviction and another $1600 from a civil judgement.
The 1st set, I tried to garnish. The company fired the girl because of their no garnishment policy.
The 2nd bunch, I really went after. There was $4600 on the line. They called the cops on me and filed a telephone harassment charge. Of course it was B/S and never saw court, but it was still a PIA.
My attorney did place both debts on their credit reports as court judgements. Those don't go away with time. The good news, they'll never get credit until they pay up. The bad news, they're deadbeats and won't ever get credit.
The lezbo that I had issues with, I got her back in spades. I got a set out order, while we were moving her crap to the curb, I found an apartment contract she signed the day prior. I made a call and informed the management company. She left a very hateful voicemail the next day.

 

[71340Duster]

Well you all made up my mind to never try to do this, thanks! Good luck to the OP.

 

[zombywoof]

i have 3 rental units, i do a credit/background checks. i have had no problems collecting rent or tenants doing any major damage. i use an online service that does the checks,i give them a the link and they pay for it and it gets sent to me. i also check their facebook and a few other sites. in the area i live in you have to be licensed and the police dept gives classes that give good advice on screening people. they also help with the lease and what to put in it

 

[65LoveAffair]

Junk yards and repair shops are usually 30 days. If I were your buddy, I would search for abandoned vehicles, and see the time for that.

Here is for Illinois. I'll post the link also.

10.20.090 Unclaimed vehicles-Disposition.

A. Whenever an abandoned, lost, stolen or unclaimed motor vehicle or other vehicle seven years of age or newer remains unclaimed by the registered owner or other person legally entitled to its possession for a period of thirty (30) days after notice has been given as provided herein, the police department having possession of the vehicle shall cause it to be sold at public sale to the highest bidder. Notice of the time and place of the sale shall be posted in a conspicuous place for at least ten (10) days prior to the sale on the premises where the vehicle has been impounded. At least ten (10) days prior to the sale, the police department shall cause a notice of the time and place of the sale to be sent by certified mail to the registered owner or other person known by the police department or towing service to be legally entitled to the possession of the vehicle. Such notice shall contain a complete description of the vehicle to be sold and what steps must be taken by any legally entitled person to reclaim the vehicle.
B. In those instances where the certified notification specified herein has been returned by the postal authorities to the police department due to the addressee having moved, or being unknown at the address obtained from the registration records of this state, the sending of a second certified notice will not be required. (Prior code § 7-6-9)

Chapter 10.20 ABANDONED VEHICLES

Thanks for the reply. I had seen that, but nothing of what I read really applies because the car is not in the custody of the police or a tow company, it's on private property. I saw that there was a mention of cars abandoned on private property in view of the public, and that doesn't apply either because it is in a garage. It's been two years, and I really don't think they are going to be coming back for the thing! He just wants to make sure he handles things all legal-like, like figuring out storage fees for if/when the original owner contacts him, and whatnot. I guess the owner of the thing skated out on back rent in the middle of the night and didn't leave a forwarding address. Hell, I'd love to buy the thing from my buddy, but that may end up being more trouble than it's worth!

 

[64DartGTinAZ]

They keep everything up, just not paying the rent. House is clean and neat for the most part, so far..... Nine days left. Even if I file a judgment against them, I'll be lucky to get anything from them. Only satisfaction would be that the judgment would be on record making it more difficult for them to rent. Screw with me, and I will do what I can LEGALLY to make it tougher for them to rent again. Cause I feel they have a track record of crap like this. Best thing is if they leave on their own, and unfortunately there is no guarantee of that...... Their word is worthless.

Get it on their credit report and help out the next sucker^H^H^H^H^H^Hlandlord out...

I still remember a call I got about a week after a new tenant moved in - "You the owner of <address>?"..."uh, yeah?"..."Let me tell you about your new tenants..." Told me they'd cry poverty, etc., and the minute they were late, evict them...well, the judge didn't think it was fair to kick a family of 5 out right before the holidays, so they got to stay through November and December rent free...thanks, 'your honor'...my family of four didn't need those two months rent...or the January rent, since I can't rent it out until they're gone...that only put me 4 months in the hole...mighty charitable of you...with MY money.

 

[meathead66]

Thanks for the reply. I had seen that, but nothing of what I read really applies because the car is not in the custody of the police or a tow company, it's on private property. I saw that there was a mention of cars abandoned on private property in view of the public, and that doesn't apply either because it is in a garage. It's been two years, and I really don't think they are going to be coming back for the thing! He just wants to make sure he handles things all legal-like, like figuring out storage fees for if/when the original owner contacts him, and whatnot. I guess the owner of the thing skated out on back rent in the middle of the night and didn't leave a forwarding address. Hell, I'd love to buy the thing from my buddy, but that may end up being more trouble than it's worth!

In Illinois you can get a Bonded Title application from Sec'y of State however it takes about 2 years. Ask me how I know.

 

[diymirage]

i just told a buddy of mine (whose mom owns a few rental properties) that she needed to up the rent significantly
its like selling stuff on C/L, you bump your price up just to keep certain people out


on a side note, im in the process of moving into a new home (from a purchase home to a different purchase home) and ive joked to the wife several times how i wish i was renting and had a security deposit i could just forfeit in order to leave all my trash there

 

[65LoveAffair]

In Illinois you can get a Bonded Title application from Sec'y of State however it takes about 2 years. Ask me how I know.

That looked interesting, but there's a little blurb at the bottom:

*You cannot get an IL Bonded Title for an abandoned vehicle. You must own your vehicle to qualify for an IL Bonded Title.

Thanks for the info, though!

 

[meathead66]

Perhaps a mechanics lien?

 

[ramenth]

I want to play devil's advocate here, coming the other way. There are deadbeat landlords, too, and as a former renter it pays for tenants to do research on the landlord.

 

[SLOPAR72]

I want to play devil's advocate here, coming the other way. There are deadbeat landlords, too, and as a former renter it pays for tenants to do research on the landlord.

Try renting property for business purposes. They can be some of the slickest Slumlords in the game. But don't worry, they are well protected with the tricky Corporate business structures and fancy Lease agreements......

JW

 

[Louie70Dart]

I want to play devil's advocate here, coming the other way. There are deadbeat landlords, too, and as a former renter it pays for tenants to do research on the landlord.

I wouldn't say devils advocate at all, but merely stating truth. Excellent suggestion about checking out the landlord! Where would a tenant go to find out such information?

 

[barbee6043]

i could not deal with rental property! or renters!!!! wow! I don't want a neighbor within 5 mi of me, ha!! not that I am anti social, just have a hard time dealing with stupid, sorry, idiots, thieves, liers, dopers, hookers, etc etc HA!

I had a neighbor ( down the road). he owned bout 1000 ac pasture and timber. his old dad owns lots of low end rural rental houses. guess dad pissed off a renter once, not long before a big old 2 story farmhouse on their land burned one night, and the way detached garage with one of his old classic Ford projects ... all burned QUICK, like diesel was the fuel !!

 

[ramenth]

Try renting property for business purposes. They can be some of the slickest Slumlords in the game. But don't worry, they are well protected with the tricky Corporate business structures and fancy Lease agreements......

JW

I have.

Took the lawyers about 20 hours of negotations to get an agreement in place that would protect my interests. Everything said and done, she kept trying to raise the rent on me in the middle of the contract, kept hounding me for extra insurance that wasn't part of the contract, and wanted me to put in a purchase agreement on the place before the end of the contract. (Sorry, I wasn't going to pay $250,000 for a polebarn and a 1/4 acre of property.) It all became moot when my daughter died and I shut the place down.

 

[ramenth]

I wouldn't say devils advocate at all, but merely stating truth. Excellent suggestion about checking out the landlord! Where would a tenant go to find out such information?

Asking around helps. Asking neighbors of the property, asking for references (former tenants), hell, even asking the local code enforcement office.

I've been in situations where I've had to find emergency housing (think family letting us crash on the floor) because the landlord refused to fix the heat in the middle of January.

There are usually telltale signs just doing a walk through.

Sarah and I looked at a place, two story duplex that was freshly remodeled. The landlord put brand new white carpet in the kitchen. We kept walking. That's knowingly setting the tenant up to keep the deposit.

A landlord who kept a room in the house for storage. That allowed him to bypass the law of 24 hours notice to walk in the door since he had removable property in the house. We kept walking.

For the years of renting when Sarah and I were married I had only two willingly give us our deposit back. I've had to threaten others with court and walked away from others completely.

One used the excuse that we caused the mold in the floorboards. When the place had an open dirt cellar. One used normal wear and tear on us when the law states broom clean... when you've lived in a place for over four years you expect some wear on the carpet from foot traffic.

Don't get me wrong. I've had some outstanding landlords, too. One who let us do the landscaping and gardening. He allowed us pets, two dogs and two cats. We had an electric dryer and the house was set up for gas. He had an electrician in the next day wiring the panel so we could use our dryer.

I'm just glad that what I have now is free and clear. No banks, no mortgage, just property taxes and school taxes. There's a certain freedom in not being beholden to someone else if I want to upgrade, build, expand, paint with just Karli and I deciding what we want to do.

 

[Louie70Dart]

Asking around helps. Asking neighbors of the property, asking for references (former tenants), hell, even asking the local code enforcement office.

I've been in situations where I've had to find emergency housing (think family letting us crash on the floor) because the landlord refused to fix the heat in the middle of January.

There are usually telltale signs just doing a walk through.

Sarah and I looked at a place, two story duplex that was freshly remodeled. The landlord put brand new white carpet in the kitchen. We kept walking. That's knowingly setting the tenant up to keep the deposit.

A landlord who kept a room in the house for storage. That allowed him to bypass the law of 24 hours notice to walk in the door since he had removable property in the house. We kept walking.

For the years of renting when Sarah and I were married I had only two willingly give us our deposit back. I've had to threaten others with court and walked away from others completely.

One used the excuse that we caused the mold in the floorboards. When the place had an open dirt cellar. One used normal wear and tear on us when the law states broom clean... when you've lived in a place for over four years you expect some wear on the carpet from foot traffic.

Don't get me wrong. I've had some outstanding landlords, too. One who let us do the landscaping and gardening. He allowed us pets, two dogs and two cats. We had an electric dryer and the house was set up for gas. He had an electrician in the next day wiring the panel so we could use our dryer.

I'm just glad that what I have now is free and clear. No banks, no mortgage, just property taxes and school taxes. There's a certain freedom in not being beholden to someone else if I want to upgrade, build, expand, paint with just Karli and I deciding what we want to do.

Yeah, last landlord I had was cool. He left a big snowblower in the garage and I put it to good use, not only doing my sidewalk but his also, plus driveway as he was only 2 houses down. Over the years he deducted money I owed for the yard work.

 

[SLOPAR72]

Yeah, last landlord I had was cool. He left a big snowblower in the garage and I put it to good use, not only doing my sidewalk but his also, plus driveway as he was only 2 houses down. Over the years he deducted money I owed for the yard work.

He was a rare Landlord and it is nice to hear that owners like him do exist. Most of them don't give a **** and they know the laws are on their side....

JW

 

[chryslerfat]

He was a rare Landlord and it is nice to hear that owners like him do exist. Most of them don't give a **** and they know the laws are on their side....

JW

Maybe in Va but here the tenant has all the rights. My 1st tenant didnt pay a water bill for almost a year. The water was in his name and the Township gave him 9 shut off notices then never shut it off. After I had him evicted he left no forward address so sudenly I find out he owes 800 dollars. The Township tells me they dont care and if I do not pay they will just add it to my taxes. I did receive a judgement for just over 4 grand with damages and all but he has not shown up nor worked in the last 5 years so it is just a piece of paper.

 

[diymirage]

we had a really cool landlord couple on time
she worked at a laundrymat down town and so free laundry was included

we couldnt afford the place, and i really didnt like the idea of running our laundry all over town so we told her we couldnt take it
she got back to us the next day and told us she had brought an older washer and dryer from the laudrymat over to the house we wanted to rent, and she was gonna knock 50 dollars a month of the rent

that was probably my favorite place i ever lived, more then once i would look at my kitchen window in the morning to see several deer heading down to the lake to drink

(you cant tell because of the trees, but the house is in the red circle)
i cut a path (with permission of course) through the brush on the south side of the house and pulled my boat out to the lake with my lawnmower

 

[GeorgeH]

My problem with renters is that if for some reason the place becomes uninhabitable, your obligated to put them up somewhere else. Ie, a water leak on the second story bath and it drops the sheetrock below it, 2nd story carpets and osb subfloors soaked. 1. The pipe and sheet rock under the sink was physically broken. 2 The management company I had handling it was already telling me that they were asking to be released from the lease and that I should do so, so that I could also get out of having to put them up. And they got their deposit back. Not all, but some renters know exactly what they're doing and how far they can go. My house was a 2 y/o house in a 3 y/o neighborhood, community pool/tennis in a nice subdivision on the better side of town priced accordingly. My Mothers house, 5 years same tenant, never a problem, rent doesn't come, no answer etc. A couple weeks go by and she wants to go there(several hour drive). The locks were changed etc. I get in the house with the police there, and there is not one 4x8 sheet of sheetrock intact in the whole place, carpets, appliances, cabinet doors gone. Anarchy symbols and profanities carved in the original hardwood floors. Never seen it before or since, but she cried that day. The odd thing, that house had been professionally landscaped and sodded, the grass was freshly cut and it was just as beautiful as the day it was done.