The Landlord Protection Agency - Landlord Q and A

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separate leases for each roomate: a good/bad idea?
2008-05-29 00:25:00
Hello,Here is the background on my situation. I own a 2 bedroom condo. Originally I lived there, and my roomate was an old friend of mine. Because of our friendship, we didn't have a lease, but rather a "gentlemen's agreement" that he pay me $650 per month. I moved out in January but he stayed. A new roomate was found, and I had her sign a 6 month lease for $700/month (the extra $50 for the parking space), meanwhile my friend was still paying me $650 based on our gentlemen's agreement. Two months later, he moved out. I found another tenant shortly, and had her sign a 4-month lease for $650 (this allowed BOTH tenant's leases to expire at the same time)NOW, both tenants leases are expired and they want to renew. Should I let each one renew their individual leases ($650 and $700 respectively)? Or should I make them both sign a single lease for $1350? I think it makes sense to have ONE lease with all tenants, like most traditional apartments do.Thanks for your help!
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Termination Notice
2008-05-28 22:56:00
In the lease is states that (and it's underlined) that notice of termination must be written.Does email count?
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Termination Notice
2008-05-28 22:56:00
In the lease is states that (and it's underlined) that notice of termination must be written.Does email count?
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tenant wants to prorate rent
2008-05-28 22:54:00
My tenants gave notice in April that they were moving out at the end of June.In the lease it is checked that "termination will be effective on the last day of the month following the month in which the notice is given. Landlord is not obligated to prorate rent even if tenant surrenders the property before the termination date."Two weeks ago they said they would be out 10 days early and are going to prorate June's rent.They were told that even though the lease was now month to month they still are obligated to pay the full month's rent. We would try to get someone in there the day after they move, and if that happens will will refund them the prorated difference.They have now sent a letter saying that they gave notice more than 30 days ahead of time, so they should be able to move out mid-month and prorate the rent.Anyone have any good advice on what to do before we start going round and round?Since notice was given more than a month in advance, do they have the right to m...
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tenant wants to prorate rent
2008-05-28 22:54:00
My tenants gave notice in April that they were moving out at the end of June.In the lease it is checked that "termination will be effective on the last day of the month following the month in which the notice is given. Landlord is not obligated to prorate rent even if tenant surrenders the property before the termination date."Two weeks ago they said they would be out 10 days early and are going to prorate June's rent.They were told that even though the lease was now month to month they still are obligated to pay the full month's rent. We would try to get someone in there the day after they move, and if that happens will will refund them the prorated difference.They have now sent a letter saying that they gave notice more than 30 days ahead of time, so they should be able to move out mid-month and prorate the rent.Anyone have any good advice on what to do before we start going round and round?Since notice was given more than a month in advance, do they have the right to move out ...
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Prospective Tenant Wants To Pay 12 M Lease Upfront
2008-05-28 22:07:00
In renting our sfh I have a prospective (local in town) tenant who has offered to pay the full amount of the twelve month lease up front, minus a discount for prepayment. Apparently his credit is very poor so he is used to prepaying. Using the LPA tenant qualification check list he passes except for his poor credit. I am insisting on a credit and background check anyway. Supposedly he has a current lardlord reference. Besides requiring a cashiers check drawn on a local bank from him, what else should I look out for with a person that wants to pay up front? TX.
More About: Lease , Prospective

Prospective Tenant Wants To Pay 12 M Lease Upfront
2008-05-28 22:07:00
In renting our sfh I have a prospective (local in town) tenant who has offered to pay the full amount of the twelve month lease up front, minus a discount for prepayment. Apparently his credit is very poor so he is used to prepaying. Using the LPA tenant qualification check list he passes except for his poor credit. I am insisting on a credit and background check anyway. Supposedly he has a current lardlord reference. Besides requiring a cashiers check drawn on a local bank from him, what else should I look out for with a person that wants to pay up front? TX.
More About: Lease , Prospective

eviction for non-payment
2008-05-28 21:25:00
My son left his apartment mid May (lease until end august) with the intention of getting his stuff out at the end of the month and breaking his lease (mice and other problems). Unfortunately the landlord changed the locks and is holding his possessions hostage which I understand he is not able to do by law. What are our rights in this situation.
More About: Payment , Eviction

eviction for non-payment
2008-05-28 21:25:00
My son left his apartment mid May (lease until end august) with the intention of getting his stuff out at the end of the month and breaking his lease (mice and other problems). Unfortunately the landlord changed the locks and is holding his possessions hostage which I understand he is not able to do by law. What are our rights in this situation.
More About: Payment , Eviction

quality of carpet
2008-05-28 20:31:00
assuming you're responsible for property maintenance for a complex with 200+ townhouses --- that lessee's stay an average of 2-3 years --- that there may or may not be pets and most likely will be children -- WHAT QUALITY CARPET WOULD YOU INSTALL? Would you spend the money for high quality carpet? Or would you get as inexpensive carpet as possible knowing you'd be going through new tenants every 3 years or so on average.
More About: Carpet , Quality

quality of carpet
2008-05-28 20:31:00
assuming you're responsible for property maintenance for a complex with 200+ townhouses --- that lessee's stay an average of 2-3 years --- that there may or may not be pets and most likely will be children -- WHAT QUALITY CARPET WOULD YOU INSTALL? Would you spend the money for high quality carpet? Or would you get as inexpensive carpet as possible knowing you'd be going through new tenants every 3 years or so on average.
More About: Carpet , Quality

1 Year lease question
2008-05-28 18:24:00
When should a 1 year lease end? If it starts on July 1st 2008 should it end on July 1st 2009? Or should it expire on June 31st 2009. New at this landlord thing. Thanks!
More About: Question , Lease , Year

1 Year lease question
2008-05-28 18:24:00
When should a 1 year lease end? If it starts on July 1st 2008 should it end on July 1st 2009? Or should it expire on June 31st 2009. New at this landlord thing. Thanks!
More About: Question , Lease , Year

Denial letter
2008-05-28 13:44:00
Is lack of a rental history grounds for denying a tenant? I have an applicant that has no rental history at all and has only been staying with relatives. Thanks for your responses.
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Denial letter
2008-05-28 13:44:00
Is lack of a rental history grounds for denying a tenant? I have an applicant that has no rental history at all and has only been staying with relatives. Thanks for your responses.
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Bugs
2008-05-28 01:49:00
What to do about? If sign a rental lease and after you move in with children and pets have poisionus spiders,scorpians,roaches, ants biting and red,also roaches, fleas and ticks. Inside and out afraid of endangering our lifes. Shouldn't the landlord take care of this problem? or if we take care of it deduct cost from rent?I should could use answers asap before one of us are bit.
More About: Bugs

Bugs
2008-05-28 01:49:00
What to do about? If sign a rental lease and after you move in with children and pets have poisionus spiders,scorpians,roaches, ants biting and red,also roaches, fleas and ticks. Inside and out afraid of endangering our lifes. Shouldn't the landlord take care of this problem? or if we take care of it deduct cost from rent?I should could use answers asap before one of us are bit.
More About: Bugs

Window Blinds
2008-05-28 00:49:00
I'm about to rent a house & the owner states that the tenant is responsible to purchase new blinds. Is that true in Mass? All of my friends said it's the owners responsbility.
More About: Blinds , Window

Window Blinds
2008-05-28 00:49:00
I'm about to rent a house & the owner states that the tenant is responsible to purchase new blinds. Is that true in Mass? All of my friends said it's the owners responsbility.
More About: Blinds , Window

want to renew my lease without my current roomate
2008-05-27 19:56:00
Hi, hopefully I can get some helpful advice on here. I currently live in Maryland with my GF and her friend. My GF signed the lease with her friend, but I moved in shortly after they did, I've never been added to the lease. So the lease with the landlord, who likes me and my GF is just between my GF and her friend. Her friend has become impossible to live with, shes inconsiderate, irresponsible, the list goes on. We have even had to cover her rent/bills from time to time. Thier lease is up September 2008. We love the house, so me and my GF want to stay here, the landlord also wants us to as well. However when we told our roomate (my gf's friend) that we didnt want to renew the lease with her in September, she told us if we're unhappy, we should move out. Of course, this is not going to happen. So, Im curious, what is the best way to get her out at the end of the lease and for us to still be able to stay? We've spoken to the landlord and he is aware of mine and my gf's intention...
More About: Current , Lease

want to renew my lease without my current roomate
2008-05-27 19:56:00
Hi, hopefully I can get some helpful advice on here. I currently live in Maryland with my GF and her friend. My GF signed the lease with her friend, but I moved in shortly after they did, I've never been added to the lease. So the lease with the landlord, who likes me and my GF is just between my GF and her friend. Her friend has become impossible to live with, shes inconsiderate, irresponsible, the list goes on. We have even had to cover her rent/bills from time to time. Thier lease is up September 2008. We love the house, so me and my GF want to stay here, the landlord also wants us to as well. However when we told our roomate (my gf's friend) that we didnt want to renew the lease with her in September, she told us if we're unhappy, we should move out. Of course, this is not going to happen. So, Im curious, what is the best way to get her out at the end of the lease and for us to still be able to stay? We've spoken to the landlord and he is aware of mine and my...
More About: Current , Lease

landlord will want to show property...
2008-05-27 17:28:00
I have not given my notice, I plan to give a 30 day notice. The landlord did not specify how much notice he wanted in the generic lease we signed. I know he will want to show the property while I am still here. I do not want a bunch of strangers going through this place while I still reside here. I think I should be able to tell him no. Can I???
More About: Property , Show

landlord will want to show property...
2008-05-27 17:28:00
I have not given my notice, I plan to give a 30 day notice. The landlord did not specify how much notice he wanted in the generic lease we signed. I know he will want to show the property while I am still here. I do not want a bunch of strangers going through this place while I still reside here. I think I should be able to tell him no. Can I???
More About: Property , Show

Pennsylvania deposit law
2008-05-27 16:00:00
I realize that in PA you can request 2months security during the first year but then only 1 month after that year is up- we have always asked for 1 month security and the last months rent to prevent tenants from using their security deposit as their last months rent which happened frequently in the past with tenants who stayed more than a year,were good tenants and paid the rent monthly but then when moved out didn't pay their last month's rent which although illegal didn't phase them, then we have to go after them for damages which isn't usually worth the cost.- if we are limited to 1month security after the first year how do we prevent this? Or is there a difference between security deposit, last months rent, cleaning deposit etc so that in the end we have more money on hand when they move to cover the damages.
More About: Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania deposit law
2008-05-27 16:00:00
I realize that in PA you can request 2months security during the first year but then only 1 month after that year is up- we have always asked for 1 month security and the last months rent to prevent tenants from using their security deposit as their last months rent which happened frequently in the past with tenants who stayed more than a year,were good tenants and paid the rent monthly but then when moved out didn't pay their last month's rent which although illegal didn't phase them, then we have to go after them for damages which isn't usually worth the cost.- if we are limited to 1month security after the first year how do we prevent this? Or is there a difference between security deposit, last months rent, cleaning deposit etc so that in the end we have more money on hand when they move to cover the damages.
More About: Pennsylvania

Asking for last's months rent after a years lease
2008-05-27 14:39:00
After tenants finish up their first years lease, is it legal to ask for last month's rent when signing the renual lease? Is it too late, should it have been asked for when they moved in? I am also raising the rent and asking them to sign for another year -- the tenant is very upset. Could they take legal action?
More About: Years , Rent , Lease , Months

Asking for last's months rent after a years lease
2008-05-27 14:39:00
After tenants finish up their first years lease, is it legal to ask for last month's rent when signing the renual lease? Is it too late, should it have been asked for when they moved in? I am also raising the rent and asking them to sign for another year -- the tenant is very upset. Could they take legal action?
More About: Years , Rent , Lease , Months

Pet Rent Charge
2008-05-27 05:15:00
I have a tenant that the lease specifically state NO PETS without prior written approval by owner. If approved will have to sign an addendum and fees. I want them out of the house. Can I charge $500 pet application fee and pet rent of $350 for the dog? They have 18 months left on their lease. The dog has ruined wood doors and floors already.
More About: Charge , Rent

Pet Rent Charge
2008-05-27 05:15:00
I have a tenant that the lease specifically state NO PETS without prior written approval by owner. If approved will have to sign an addendum and fees. I want them out of the house. Can I charge $500 pet application fee and pet rent of $350 for the dog? They have 18 months left on their lease. The dog has ruined wood doors and floors already.
More About: Charge , Rent

Should Tenant Stay in Apt. While Suing Me?
2008-05-27 04:34:00
Tenant has filed a lawsuit against me for personal injury. The rent is always paid by the housing authority (government). I'm not sure whether to renew their lease during this lawsuit or tell the housing authority that I will not be renewing their lease for another year? Kind of weird because we're nice to one another and they keep the place up. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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