Posts Tagged ‘landlord-tenant relationships’

Setting Pet Fees

January 30th, 2012

setting pet feesLandlords and property management companies may find it difficult to figure out how to set appropriate pet fees for renters bringing an animal to live with them.

Type of animal
The amount you want to charge may depend on the pet. It is common to charge less for cats than dogs, and to charge more for larger dogs. Pets like turtles, which do not generally affect the property, are commonly ignored.

Rental managers and owners should ensure their policy clearly states what pets are allowed to avoid confusion. It should also be clear that adding pets after moving in could require additional payments.

Rent, fees or deposit?
One way to cover the expense of a pet is to charge a higher rent. Spacing the cost out over time may be easier for tenants to afford, and can increase the profit for the manager in some cases.

The alternative is to charge an up-front fee frequently a pet security deposit. Some states have laws restricting the amount of the total security deposit, so check for that before setting an amount. This deposit would be refunded after the tenant moves out, assuming the property is not damaged by the pet. Non-refundable fees are also used, although these are typically smaller.

Some landlords may combine more than one of these options, charging a higher rent each month and requiring a pet security deposit to cover any damages.

Defining “Visitors” v. “Roommates”

January 30th, 2012

When a visitor or guest stays in a rental property long enough, it can begin to have a significant impact. Water, sewer and other bills may go up. If the tenants are paying these bills, then rental managers and owners in this situation may not have a problem.

An extra person can add to general wear and tear on a property and its fixtures as well, however, and in many cases utility costs may be included in the rent. Besides that, tenants may not be sure where the line between visitor and roommate is.

To avoid confusion, property management companies and owners should develop a clear policy. According to the American Apartment Owners Association (AAOA), this may cover:

  • Security access, due to theft and liability concerns
  • Restrictions on the number of guests allowed at a single time
  • Limits on how long guests can stay before they are considered to be residents
  • Any rules governing smoking, noise or other behaviors that can disturb neighbors
  • Penalties for violating the policy
  • Any advance notice required for exceptions

According to the AAOA, state laws that govern a landlord’s right to raise rent or take other action because of a new occupant vary, so these should be reviewed when creating a policy.

While occasional exceptions can be made, enforcing the policy consistently can help avoid both legal and personal difficulties. Treating tenants differently can seem unfair at best, or be perceived as discrimination. Online legal resource Nolo suggests that, while caution may be justified, tracking a tenant’s visitors too closely may be considered an invasion of privacy in court.

Using Media To Promote Community In Multi-Unit Dwellings

February 4th, 2009

The idea of using any sort of media to encourage your tenants to communicate with each other might be terrifying to you. This need not be the case. It is a simple matter of understanding where you stand with your tenants and acting accordingly.

  1. Do you consistently underserve your tenants with inferior housing for their money?
  2. Are you slow to respond (more than 4hrs) to tenant emergencies?
  3. Are you difficult to deal with in every-day tenant-landlord interactions?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you’ll want to work on changing your business approach before attempting to build community among your tenants.

If you think you do a pretty good job at meeting the needs of the people you provide housing for, consider incorporating some new media into your community approach.

  • Set up a page on your website (you have one, right?) where tenants can log in and participate in discussions that pertain to their location.
  • Provide some extra value for your tenants by making them aware of upcoming events that relate to the complex they live in.
  • Build lines of effective communication by using email and your website forums to make it easier for your tenants to share their delights and concerns with you and your staff.

Opening new lines of communication doesn’t mean you need to commit to talking all the time…just that you’re open to the idea and willingly fostering a community. Your tenants will appreciate the effort and you’ll reap the rewards.