OT – SFR Rental Advice

[Cube]

After almost six long years of waiting out the bubble, we’ve decided we need to move. And at this point, it is looking like we can’t (yet?) afford to buy what and where we’d like. Plus, with career uncertainty and a growing family, moving to another rental seems like the logical next step.

At the moment, we live in a ~1000 sf apartment. With two kids under three (and no garage), this is arguably already too cramped and becoming more so.

Here’s my dilemma.
The evil I know: a nice apartment with one assigned parking space managed by a generally non-intrusive mega-property-management firm.

The evil I don’t know: a small-time SFR landlord (and/or small-time property management firm), possibly negligent and/or shady.

What advice do folks have about renting an SFR? I detest moving, so if we move and find ourselves in a special hell, I shall be very, very cross to (say the least).

How should one do an appropriate amount of homework on a prospective landlord? Check up on their property tax history? Confirm they own the home, for how long, outstanding loan balance, etc?
Is it realistic to ask the landlord to submit to a credit check?

In terms of property management companies, are there any known good ones that are, say, tenant-friendly? (Responsive, honest, good stewards of the property, non-overbearing, respects tenant privacy, etc., which to my mind protects the landlord’s interests as well.)

I’d like to avoid:
1. Being scammed by people who don’t own the property.
1a. Or just collects my “application fee” at the beginning and never intends to rent me the property (saw this scam when I was renting in LA; didn’t fall for it though; saw others who did).
2. Signing a lease and finding out the the landlord is working on a short-sale / foreclosure which will disrupt my long term ability to keep renting the property.
3. Find out my landlord is crazy/evil:
a. Visits/enters the property unannounced.
b. Mandates landscape-watering timetable via locked sprinkler control that over-waters the yard (according to independent analysis) and jacks up my water bill.
c. Decides I’m a lousy tenant and raises the rent by 10% annually until I leave.
d. Soaks me for my whole deposit plus a laundry-list of illegitimate charges upon move-out.

I’m sure Scaredy can think up some even-more-dire scenarios than I’ve outlined above.

[desmond]

Why not find a scantily clad landlord that waters your lawn for you and gets herself soaking wet in the process.

[desmond]

Why not find a scantily clad landlord that waters your lawn for you and gets herself soaking wet in the process.

[desmond]

Why not find a scantily clad landlord that waters your lawn for you and gets herself soaking wet in the process.

[desmond]

Why not find a scantily clad landlord that waters your lawn for you and gets herself soaking wet in the process.

[desmond]

Why not find a scantily clad landlord that waters your lawn for you and gets herself soaking wet in the process.

[JBurkett19]

Sounds like many of your concerns are a bit paranoid.

As far as watering the grass, wouldn’t you want to be in a place with green grass? Keep in mind that when a tenant enters a house with green grass and leaves with brown or no grass, that costs the property owner time and money. Most importantly time. Besides, the water portion of the bill is not the expensive part. The sewer and other charges make up at least 80- 90% percent of the bill.

The part about getting a credit check on a property owner/landlord is somewhat laughable. Go ahead and try. It’ll be funny if nothing else.

As far as a landlord passing by for visits, or entering without notice- I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Believe that the landlord doesn’t want to go to the house for nothing more than collecting rent. They don’t want to hear from tenants at all, unless there’s a problem.

All you need to do is pick a house that’s in a part of town you like and that has the features you like. You’ll be able to tell if the landlord is legit when you meet them.

As far as checking property tax payments and whether the house is listed for short sale, I’m sure there are ways to do that if it makes you feel more comfortable.

[JBurkett19]

Sounds like many of your concerns are a bit paranoid.

As far as watering the grass, wouldn’t you want to be in a place with green grass? Keep in mind that when a tenant enters a house with green grass and leaves with brown or no grass, that costs the property owner time and money. Most importantly time. Besides, the water portion of the bill is not the expensive part. The sewer and other charges make up at least 80- 90% percent of the bill.

The part about getting a credit check on a property owner/landlord is somewhat laughable. Go ahead and try. It’ll be funny if nothing else.

As far as a landlord passing by for visits, or entering without notice- I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Believe that the landlord doesn’t want to go to the house for nothing more than collecting rent. They don’t want to hear from tenants at all, unless there’s a problem.

All you need to do is pick a house that’s in a part of town you like and that has the features you like. You’ll be able to tell if the landlord is legit when you meet them.

As far as checking property tax payments and whether the house is listed for short sale, I’m sure there are ways to do that if it makes you feel more comfortable.

[JBurkett19]

Sounds like many of your concerns are a bit paranoid.

As far as watering the grass, wouldn’t you want to be in a place with green grass? Keep in mind that when a tenant enters a house with green grass and leaves with brown or no grass, that costs the property owner time and money. Most importantly time. Besides, the water portion of the bill is not the expensive part. The sewer and other charges make up at least 80- 90% percent of the bill.

The part about getting a credit check on a property owner/landlord is somewhat laughable. Go ahead and try. It’ll be funny if nothing else.

As far as a landlord passing by for visits, or entering without notice- I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Believe that the landlord doesn’t want to go to the house for nothing more than collecting rent. They don’t want to hear from tenants at all, unless there’s a problem.

All you need to do is pick a house that’s in a part of town you like and that has the features you like. You’ll be able to tell if the landlord is legit when you meet them.

As far as checking property tax payments and whether the house is listed for short sale, I’m sure there are ways to do that if it makes you feel more comfortable.

[JBurkett19]

Sounds like many of your concerns are a bit paranoid.

As far as watering the grass, wouldn’t you want to be in a place with green grass? Keep in mind that when a tenant enters a house with green grass and leaves with brown or no grass, that costs the property owner time and money. Most importantly time. Besides, the water portion of the bill is not the expensive part. The sewer and other charges make up at least 80- 90% percent of the bill.

The part about getting a credit check on a property owner/landlord is somewhat laughable. Go ahead and try. It’ll be funny if nothing else.

As far as a landlord passing by for visits, or entering without notice- I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Believe that the landlord doesn’t want to go to the house for nothing more than collecting rent. They don’t want to hear from tenants at all, unless there’s a problem.

All you need to do is pick a house that’s in a part of town you like and that has the features you like. You’ll be able to tell if the landlord is legit when you meet them.

As far as checking property tax payments and whether the house is listed for short sale, I’m sure there are ways to do that if it makes you feel more comfortable.

[JBurkett19]

Sounds like many of your concerns are a bit paranoid.

As far as watering the grass, wouldn’t you want to be in a place with green grass? Keep in mind that when a tenant enters a house with green grass and leaves with brown or no grass, that costs the property owner time and money. Most importantly time. Besides, the water portion of the bill is not the expensive part. The sewer and other charges make up at least 80- 90% percent of the bill.

The part about getting a credit check on a property owner/landlord is somewhat laughable. Go ahead and try. It’ll be funny if nothing else.

As far as a landlord passing by for visits, or entering without notice- I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Believe that the landlord doesn’t want to go to the house for nothing more than collecting rent. They don’t want to hear from tenants at all, unless there’s a problem.

All you need to do is pick a house that’s in a part of town you like and that has the features you like. You’ll be able to tell if the landlord is legit when you meet them.

As far as checking property tax payments and whether the house is listed for short sale, I’m sure there are ways to do that if it makes you feel more comfortable.

[Cube]

[quote=JBurkett19]Sounds like many of your concerns are a bit paranoid.

As far as watering the grass, wouldn’t you want to be in a place with green grass? Keep in mind that when a tenant enters a house with green grass and leaves with brown or no grass, that costs the property owner time and money. Most importantly time. Besides, the water portion of the bill is not the expensive part. The sewer and other charges make up at least 80- 90% percent of the bill.

[/quote]

This is not hypothetical. At a previous SFR, someone from the city water survey program came out and confirmed that the yard was being over-watered by a factor of 2-3 given the plant types, soil condition, climate zone, etc. The landlord ignored this information and insisted on the over-watering schedule. The yard was at greater risk of damage from over-watering than of drying out and dying from under-watering by a fair margin.

You should note that both water and sewer rates have a proportional component to metered water usage (for sewer, this is up to the first 20 HCF/mo in SD). Also, both the base rate and the per usage rates for water and sewer are quite comparable. Your claim does not seem accurate.

[quote=JBurkett19]
As far as a landlord passing by for visits, or entering without notice- I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Believe that the landlord doesn’t want to go to the house for nothing more than collecting rent. They don’t want to hear from tenants at all, unless there’s a problem.
[/quote]

Again, not hypothetical, and your claim has no supporting evidence. While as a landlord I would not visit the property unannounced and in violation of tenant’s rights, it does not mean other landlords will behave the same (even if it is the expected rational behavior).

And, despite the fact that it is a violation of tenant’s rights, it is in practice very difficult to assert one’s rights as a tenant (without considerable hassle and possible legal action). Just like one may have the right-of-way at an intersection, that offers little protection if another car takes that right-of-way illegitimately. A collision would still be dangerous and severely inconvenient even to the party that had the legal right-of-way.

I think the fundamental question remains unanswered: How does one determine a good landlord from a bad/crazy one before renting the property?

[Cube]

[quote=JBurkett19]Sounds like many of your concerns are a bit paranoid.

As far as watering the grass, wouldn’t you want to be in a place with green grass? Keep in mind that when a tenant enters a house with green grass and leaves with brown or no grass, that costs the property owner time and money. Most importantly time. Besides, the water portion of the bill is not the expensive part. The sewer and other charges make up at least 80- 90% percent of the bill.

[/quote]

This is not hypothetical. At a previous SFR, someone from the city water survey program came out and confirmed that the yard was being over-watered by a factor of 2-3 given the plant types, soil condition, climate zone, etc. The landlord ignored this information and insisted on the over-watering schedule. The yard was at greater risk of damage from over-watering than of drying out and dying from under-watering by a fair margin.

You should note that both water and sewer rates have a proportional component to metered water usage (for sewer, this is up to the first 20 HCF/mo in SD). Also, both the base rate and the per usage rates for water and sewer are quite comparable. Your claim does not seem accurate.

[quote=JBurkett19]
As far as a landlord passing by for visits, or entering without notice- I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Believe that the landlord doesn’t want to go to the house for nothing more than collecting rent. They don’t want to hear from tenants at all, unless there’s a problem.
[/quote]

Again, not hypothetical, and your claim has no supporting evidence. While as a landlord I would not visit the property unannounced and in violation of tenant’s rights, it does not mean other landlords will behave the same (even if it is the expected rational behavior).

And, despite the fact that it is a violation of tenant’s rights, it is in practice very difficult to assert one’s rights as a tenant (without considerable hassle and possible legal action). Just like one may have the right-of-way at an intersection, that offers little protection if another car takes that right-of-way illegitimately. A collision would still be dangerous and severely inconvenient even to the party that had the legal right-of-way.

I think the fundamental question remains unanswered: How does one determine a good landlord from a bad/crazy one before renting the property?

[Cube]

[quote=JBurkett19]Sounds like many of your concerns are a bit paranoid.

As far as watering the grass, wouldn’t you want to be in a place with green grass? Keep in mind that when a tenant enters a house with green grass and leaves with brown or no grass, that costs the property owner time and money. Most importantly time. Besides, the water portion of the bill is not the expensive part. The sewer and other charges make up at least 80- 90% percent of the bill.

[/quote]

This is not hypothetical. At a previous SFR, someone from the city water survey program came out and confirmed that the yard was being over-watered by a factor of 2-3 given the plant types, soil condition, climate zone, etc. The landlord ignored this information and insisted on the over-watering schedule. The yard was at greater risk of damage from over-watering than of drying out and dying from under-watering by a fair margin.

You should note that both water and sewer rates have a proportional component to metered water usage (for sewer, this is up to the first 20 HCF/mo in SD). Also, both the base rate and the per usage rates for water and sewer are quite comparable. Your claim does not seem accurate.

[quote=JBurkett19]
As far as a landlord passing by for visits, or entering without notice- I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Believe that the landlord doesn’t want to go to the house for nothing more than collecting rent. They don’t want to hear from tenants at all, unless there’s a problem.
[/quote]

Again, not hypothetical, and your claim has no supporting evidence. While as a landlord I would not visit the property unannounced and in violation of tenant’s rights, it does not mean other landlords will behave the same (even if it is the expected rational behavior).

And, despite the fact that it is a violation of tenant’s rights, it is in practice very difficult to assert one’s rights as a tenant (without considerable hassle and possible legal action). Just like one may have the right-of-way at an intersection, that offers little protection if another car takes that right-of-way illegitimately. A collision would still be dangerous and severely inconvenient even to the party that had the legal right-of-way.

I think the fundamental question remains unanswered: How does one determine a good landlord from a bad/crazy one before renting the property?

[Cube]

[quote=JBurkett19]Sounds like many of your concerns are a bit paranoid.

As far as watering the grass, wouldn’t you want to be in a place with green grass? Keep in mind that when a tenant enters a house with green grass and leaves with brown or no grass, that costs the property owner time and money. Most importantly time. Besides, the water portion of the bill is not the expensive part. The sewer and other charges make up at least 80- 90% percent of the bill.

[/quote]

This is not hypothetical. At a previous SFR, someone from the city water survey program came out and confirmed that the yard was being over-watered by a factor of 2-3 given the plant types, soil condition, climate zone, etc. The landlord ignored this information and insisted on the over-watering schedule. The yard was at greater risk of damage from over-watering than of drying out and dying from under-watering by a fair margin.

You should note that both water and sewer rates have a proportional component to metered water usage (for sewer, this is up to the first 20 HCF/mo in SD). Also, both the base rate and the per usage rates for water and sewer are quite comparable. Your claim does not seem accurate.

[quote=JBurkett19]
As far as a landlord passing by for visits, or entering without notice- I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Believe that the landlord doesn’t want to go to the house for nothing more than collecting rent. They don’t want to hear from tenants at all, unless there’s a problem.
[/quote]

Again, not hypothetical, and your claim has no supporting evidence. While as a landlord I would not visit the property unannounced and in violation of tenant’s rights, it does not mean other landlords will behave the same (even if it is the expected rational behavior).

And, despite the fact that it is a violation of tenant’s rights, it is in practice very difficult to assert one’s rights as a tenant (without considerable hassle and possible legal action). Just like one may have the right-of-way at an intersection, that offers little protection if another car takes that right-of-way illegitimately. A collision would still be dangerous and severely inconvenient even to the party that had the legal right-of-way.

I think the fundamental question remains unanswered: How does one determine a good landlord from a bad/crazy one before renting the property?

[Author]

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