Quote:
On 2004-10-06 16:05, pampammer wrote:
Procedures for Tenant Move In Meeting ? what are some of the steps and pitfalls,
What do you mean by this? What you should say to the tenant before they move in? Is this what you are referring to? If so, you just want to outline the lease with them, let them know of your expectations, ask what their expectations of you are, etc. Also - there might be some pamphlets required (in NJ you need to give them a pamphlet on lead poisoning in any house built before 1978)... Let them know what happens in the case of a non-payment of rent, namely you file for eviction on the day (or 5 days- however you want/can do it) a rent is not there...
I hope I answered your question - please be more specific if I am off base and don't know what you are talking about!
My move in meeting takes about 40 minutes and generally I do it at a McDonalds or some place with seating and air conditioning. I am cordial, but I want to impress upon them that I am a professional with procedures that can not be tailored to the tenant. I will leave them alone, but that they must pay me on time and take care of the unit. "I do not work with tenants who fall behind".
1) they are responsible for minor repair. They will be charged if you have to call someone out for a tripped breaker, a dirty air filter, clogged sink or toilet. You will also charged them if any damage is caused from a long time water leak.
2) speaking of water leaks, they must also notify you if anything needs repair, especially leaks, broken windows and broken locks. Anything of a safety matter should be brought to your attention ASAP.
3) point out where are the smoke detectors and that they must not tamper with them except to replace the battery, which is part of their minor maintenance
4) their stuff is not covered by insurance. I always make the example of the water pipe in my unit breaks, destroys their computer and TV, my insurance still does not cover their stuff. They need to buy insurance for their stuff.
5) They can not move people or pets into the unit will out your approval. "I have evicted people for doing that".
I use my lease as my guide for move in.
My lease is organized and covers all important details. I add initial areas by any line that I want to talk about in detail. By doing that it leads me to explain that area of the lease, my expectations, and have them ask any questions before initialling that section. I go over:
1. The legal address
2. Rent and lease terms
3. Pro-rate
4. Security Deposit and interest I pay.
5. Late charges in full detail == including when I will file court papers and that those charges will be passed to them.
6. Any rules for maintenance expectations and shared maintenance costs.
7. All of the utility company details. I have phone numbers and county info. here to assist them and make things clear.
8. Smoke detectors
9. Rental insurance requirement/recommendation.
10. How to get the rent to me on time. I am thinking about an incentive for autopay or automail to my credit union.
I bring 2 copies so that I can leave them a copy and walk out w/one.
Wow, I sure learn alot in these forums. I love the idea of them initialing the lease items. Also, I didn't know you could charge them for minor repairs they are responsible for. Can someone recommend a forum or place in TCI where I can find what should be spelled out in a lease? We are getting ready to rent our first unit and don't want to use a generic lease.
Another tip:
Get a few lease contracts from your **local Realtors** to see what some of the going norms are ... ($ maintenance share, responsibilities). Since it is not unusual for astute tenants to ask to read a copy of a lease before applying, call and ask. I would bet some of them have them posted on web sites now.
As a renter, I had many landlords go through a quick inspection of the unit with me where we write down anything that is wrong so that when it comes to figuring out the security deposit on moving out, we each know who's responsible for it (e.g. stain on the carpet, small crack in the window glass, state of the paint job, etc.).
Quote:
On 2004-10-07 09:57, bgrossnickle wrote:
My move in meeting takes about 40 minutes and generally I do it at a McDonalds or some place with seating and air conditioning. I am cordial, but I want to impress upon them that I am a professional with procedures that can not be tailored to the tenant. I will leave them alone, but that they must pay me on time and take care of the unit. "I do not work with tenants who fall behind".
1) they are responsible for minor repair. They will be charged if you have to call someone out for a tripped breaker, a dirty air filter, clogged sink or toilet. You will also charged them if any damage is caused from a long time water leak.
2) speaking of water leaks, they must also notify you if anything needs repair, especially leaks, broken windows and broken locks. Anything of a safety matter should be brought to your attention ASAP.
3) point out where are the smoke detectors and that they must not tamper with them except to replace the battery, which is part of their minor maintenance
4) their stuff is not covered by insurance. I always make the example of the water pipe in my unit breaks, destroys their computer and TV, my insurance still does not cover their stuff. They need to buy insurance for their stuff.
5) They can not move people or pets into the unit will out your approval. "I have evicted people for doing that".
Quote:
On 2004-10-06 16:05, pampammer wrote:
Procedures for Tenant Move In Meeting ? what are some of the steps and pitfalls,
What do you mean by this? What you should say to the tenant before they move in? Is this what you are referring to? If so, you just want to outline the lease with them, let them know of your expectations, ask what their expectations of you are, etc. Also - there might be some pamphlets required (in NJ you need to give them a pamphlet on lead poisoning in any house built before 1978)... Let them know what happens in the case of a non-payment of rent, namely you file for eviction on the day (or 5 days- however you want/can do it) a rent is not there...
I hope I answered your question - please be more specific if I am off base and don't know what you are talking about!
Good Luck!!
[addsig]
thank you for your response ...
that is pretty much what I was looking for. Could you give more helpful hints along the same line in the previous response ...
what else should I do when doing the move in meeting? any other great tips?
My move in meeting takes about 40 minutes and generally I do it at a McDonalds or some place with seating and air conditioning. I am cordial, but I want to impress upon them that I am a professional with procedures that can not be tailored to the tenant. I will leave them alone, but that they must pay me on time and take care of the unit. "I do not work with tenants who fall behind".
1) they are responsible for minor repair. They will be charged if you have to call someone out for a tripped breaker, a dirty air filter, clogged sink or toilet. You will also charged them if any damage is caused from a long time water leak.
2) speaking of water leaks, they must also notify you if anything needs repair, especially leaks, broken windows and broken locks. Anything of a safety matter should be brought to your attention ASAP.
3) point out where are the smoke detectors and that they must not tamper with them except to replace the battery, which is part of their minor maintenance
4) their stuff is not covered by insurance. I always make the example of the water pipe in my unit breaks, destroys their computer and TV, my insurance still does not cover their stuff. They need to buy insurance for their stuff.
5) They can not move people or pets into the unit will out your approval. "I have evicted people for doing that".
I use my lease as my guide for move in.
My lease is organized and covers all important details. I add initial areas by any line that I want to talk about in detail. By doing that it leads me to explain that area of the lease, my expectations, and have them ask any questions before initialling that section. I go over:
1. The legal address
2. Rent and lease terms
3. Pro-rate
4. Security Deposit and interest I pay.
5. Late charges in full detail == including when I will file court papers and that those charges will be passed to them.
6. Any rules for maintenance expectations and shared maintenance costs.
7. All of the utility company details. I have phone numbers and county info. here to assist them and make things clear.
8. Smoke detectors
9. Rental insurance requirement/recommendation.
10. How to get the rent to me on time. I am thinking about an incentive for autopay or automail to my credit union.
I bring 2 copies so that I can leave them a copy and walk out w/one.
Wow, I sure learn alot in these forums. I love the idea of them initialing the lease items. Also, I didn't know you could charge them for minor repairs they are responsible for. Can someone recommend a forum or place in TCI where I can find what should be spelled out in a lease? We are getting ready to rent our first unit and don't want to use a generic lease.
Another tip:
Get a few lease contracts from your **local Realtors** to see what some of the going norms are ... ($ maintenance share, responsibilities). Since it is not unusual for astute tenants to ask to read a copy of a lease before applying, call and ask. I would bet some of them have them posted on web sites now.
As a renter, I had many landlords go through a quick inspection of the unit with me where we write down anything that is wrong so that when it comes to figuring out the security deposit on moving out, we each know who's responsible for it (e.g. stain on the carpet, small crack in the window glass, state of the paint job, etc.).
Quote:
On 2004-10-07 09:57, bgrossnickle wrote:
My move in meeting takes about 40 minutes and generally I do it at a McDonalds or some place with seating and air conditioning. I am cordial, but I want to impress upon them that I am a professional with procedures that can not be tailored to the tenant. I will leave them alone, but that they must pay me on time and take care of the unit. "I do not work with tenants who fall behind".
1) they are responsible for minor repair. They will be charged if you have to call someone out for a tripped breaker, a dirty air filter, clogged sink or toilet. You will also charged them if any damage is caused from a long time water leak.
2) speaking of water leaks, they must also notify you if anything needs repair, especially leaks, broken windows and broken locks. Anything of a safety matter should be brought to your attention ASAP.
3) point out where are the smoke detectors and that they must not tamper with them except to replace the battery, which is part of their minor maintenance
4) their stuff is not covered by insurance. I always make the example of the water pipe in my unit breaks, destroys their computer and TV, my insurance still does not cover their stuff. They need to buy insurance for their stuff.
5) They can not move people or pets into the unit will out your approval. "I have evicted people for doing that".