Renting To Non-English Speaking Tenants
Hello All,
I have a SFH that has been on the market for a little while. Last Friday, the neighbor brought over some tenants who are very interested. They want to move in as soon as they are approved 9If and when that happens). However, the interested tenants do not speak English and the only way I can communicate with them is through this neighbor.
I am hesitant to rent to tenants that I can not communicate directly with and feel that I would have to rely too much on the neighbor to propoerly enforce a lease. I am not even sure that a lease in this case would be valid: Any Lawyer could claim that the tenants did not understand what they were signing, right?
If anyone has been in this situation before, I would appreciate your insight and advice.
Thanks in advance.
JS.
http://www.thecreativeinvestor.com/residential/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=viewtopic&topic=44108&forum=24
happyhome,
Thanks for the response. That was quite helpful.
All,
I would still like to hear from ayone else out there who might have been down this road. How do you communicate repairs, violations ... etc. How do you collect rent? What should I be aware of and pay attention to?
Thanks.
JS.
This is simple. Anything that you want to communicate to a tenant, should be in writing anyway. So get all your documents transposed for their purpose and make your money. This is becoming the norm in America. How many times have you been in a store, post office, court, job anywhere and you see intructions in at least 3 different languages. Cmon, change with the dynamics. Besides, you said it has been on the market for a while.
I have a few families that do not speak English. They usually round up a bilingual person to communicate when they need to. All of the leases are in English. I often send letters to them in English when there are issues that need to be resolved. They find the translators. I have had no problems.
Hi,
Consider looking on at the bi-lingual svcs. offered
on the web to help you w/ contracts- important details.
This way everything is clear for all parties. Call the city/town hall and ask if they offer bi-lingual services in your area, ask if assist is avail. Mark
They only want to lease the house for six months. If they like it there, they will plan on possibly resigning another lease. She says her friend let her borrow the car and it was stolen. She stated that she did not know the car was stolen. I am not sure where the dad is.
[ Edited by JRendell on Date 07/07/2005 ]
So when are they moving in?
Take the cashiers check straight to the bank. Do not pass go, the gas station or anywhere else. They can move in the next day.
I say woohoo! She did her time, make friends and be a good landlord.
I would only rent to her if the lady will co-sign for the cousin & she can qualify as well. Record of employment, and something at stake in case the cousin turns out to be a flake.
Make sure she knows what co-signing means & that she will be fully liable to you for any negative events that the cousin may do.
Also, good policy on the cashiers check clearing first, and also have a stringent policy on bounced checks. If they bounce just once, they have to pay you in cashiers check or money order.
Good Luck
Thanks everyone. I will run their background and credit check.
The co-sign idea is a great suggestion, Additionally Do the old background ck - thru one of the services to confirm no outstanding problems are following the person your renting to -no warrants/no civil suits- recent priors/ect. - do some more "homework" 1st
before taking the cash. Mark
Like what variables?
Either you or your Realtor need to know what your neighborhood is worth. How could a piece of software possibly know?
I thought the craigslist idea was great. Advertise it high and see how it goes.
I have 3 rentals, I use square feet to help my rent Est.
1 dollar per sq feet. In a better town I go $1.15-$1.20 a sq feet.
Hope this help
You will not be able to do much for your cash flow with rental income since it will be at what ever the rental market is in your area. If you are asking how to find out what it is you might talk to property management companies in your area.
Yes please explain, with a little less sophistication for us that do not believe software is the ultimate answer....there is no one perfect way or perfect software that will work in every house and in every situation...they are all different. the best way to maximze your cashflow is to save your $ on buying software
I agree exactly with what rmdane said....[ Edited by nic3456 on Date 07/08/2005 ]
the software might give you an idea which is great but ultimately, your location will play the most important part. There are places here where a 2 BR APT will get you about 600 but the same APT can be rented at 825 at a better location.
google it