People Letting Kids Sleep In Basement With No Window Escape
We are closing on a duplex today. The last time we were in there to look at the house, we noticed in the basement they had two bunkbeds down there and other kids stuff, so we are assuming they are sleeping down there and there is no window to get out of in case of a fire. What would you do in this situation? How do you inform them that this is illegal without coming across as a jerk since we will be brand new landlords to them. They have lots of kids and not enough room, so I suppose that is why they put them in the basement but totally unsafe. Thanks.
If this is a new property of yours, you could be held liable for that. Can you put an escape down there?
Is there a basement door??
You are right. I will send them a certified letter. Better to have someone be mad and move out than be sued for a child dying in a fire. Thanks.
Do you think I should mention it to my insurance company or would this possibly cause them not to insure it as I have to pay for the insurance today.
Apology accepted. Sorry I got offended.
It is against the law for anyone person or persons to have living or sleeping quaters in any structure that does not have at least two means of escape in case of emergency.
I would at once send a letter to tenants that this practice is not allowed. Only question I have and maybe I missed it is why are the kids sleeping down there in the first place.
Well from what I seen when I did a walkthrough before I bought it, they had maybe eight kids or more in a three bedroom house. I mean it is a nice sized apartment but way to small for eight kids and two adults. Does anyone know if the fire department would actually go over there and check it out after I senda certified letter or after I check it out and they have not moved the kids out of there?
Hey Renee what is your business in WI, that is where I am from.
Your asking for trouble way to many people in that house its one thing if it was your own family but since your renting to such a large family in a small house makes your problem if something was to happen.
I would not call insurance company for if you did that expect to get dropped in a heart beat. If you call city hall about it and you say the addy expect lots of inspectors out there.
You got a problem there and needs to be taken care of if that many people live there and something happens there is going to be finger pointing.
My opinon is to give them a 30 day notice to get a new tenant in there.
To Eric5,
We are currently doing rentals around the Vernon, Richland and Monroe counties. What area are you from and what business do you have?
[ Edited by reneeschultz on Date 04/04/2005 ]
We have been "flipping" properties in the central and west part of the state. We started business about a year ago so we arent experts, but learning every day. I would love to get into apartment buildings, but I dont know anything about them.
You should check the local law. Most localities have legal occupancy limits.
They usually go by # of people per square foot. You know how you go to a theater and they have a sign that says "Occupancy by more than XX number of people is dangerous and illegal"? Well, that same law applies to housing...
Welcome, Casey!
I think your best read is right here at TCI. There are many articles, threads, and other resources for someone getting started, It becomes addictive!
Tim
Anything by Napoleon Hill or Earl Nightengale...
It would depend on how many other candidates are applying for the same home. With 3 times the rent in income &, I am assuming no prior evictions I would rent to him.
If the rental market where you are is strong & you can find a stronger candidate then maybe I pass on him & take someone else.
Be sure to check sexual predator, small claims and outstanding warrants as well, as you lose $25 a day that the place is not rented, unless your gut tells you different, I would rent to him.
[addsig]
I would rent to him as long as his job seems steady and no one better came alot the info you gave seems good.
Thanks for all your responses. I talked to this person and had him CONVINCE me that his mom and sister will truly pay for his mortgage even though it is under his name. He "assured" me that they will indeed pay the mortgage. He did seem sincere. I am going to go with him because my "gut" tells me that it is safe to do. He does seem credit conscious and he has been with his job for 20 years so I am gonna accept him!!!
This is my first rental so I cross my fingers that everything is ok
Good luck Robert_L!! Let us know how it turns out.
Quote:
On 2005-04-11 11:20, Robert_L wrote:
Thanks for all your responses. I talked to this person and had him CONVINCE me that his mom and sister will truly pay for his mortgage even though it is under his name. He "assured" me that they will indeed pay the mortgage. He did seem sincere. I am going to go with him because my "gut" tells me that it is safe to do. He does seem credit conscious and he has been with his job for 20 years so I am gonna accept him!!!
This is my first rental so I cross my fingers that everything is ok