From: Joe Kelly
Wichita, KS.

I am located in Kansas. With the new construction the rental market is getting "tight". I rent to retirees, students, single parents, young professionals, all in all a broad mix. I do a lot of my minor maintenance, leasing and work a full time job too. Time it precious.

When I first read about C &A Solutions auto rent drafts in Mr. Landlord I was interested, but thought "Well, it does cost, residents may not like it and I'm probably too small with only 30 homes." I don't like gimmicks or processes that don't work.

Then I really thought about it. My residents pay, just not all at once or right on the exact day. Since they pay "close enough", I was uncomfortable sending a notice to Quit or Pay Rent. I was making 5-6 deposits @ month, and not collecting any late fees (what a hassle). I was also having to pay bills "as I had the money."

I contacted C & A and talked to a real person, Claudia Miller. Claudia and I talked several times. Every question I had was answered thoroughly. The process was completely explained and I was given sample forms to review, there were no secrets.

I decided to sign up. As I began to talk with residents, I was surprised! They either wanted it or it really didn't matter. One resident, a retired teacher, was concerned about "someone being in her checking account." From talking with Claudia, I knew how to calm her fears. I explained, "You see C & A doesn't actually take your rent out, they send me a check drafted on your account. I review the amount to make sure it is correct. It's a double check for accuracy. Additionally, even though I get the checks before the first of the month, I deposit them on the fourth. This allows you time for your Social Security to be deposited."

Auto rent drafts is now mandatory for residency in my rentals, and is talked about in my application. I feel the requirement is an additional screening qualifier. I make 1-2 deposits each month and pay my bills, rather than spend my time "piece meal". I will share my forms, lease clauses and thoughts about this procedure if anyone wants to contact me.

e-mail is joekelly@southwind.net
phone: (316) 644-8675
fax: (316) 612-2393

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From: Steven Kline
Lebanon, PA.

I manage about a dozen properties besides my full time job. My wife and I also own rentals ourselves. It seems I always have at least one tenant that worries me when the first of the month rolls around. Will their rent be in the mail? Did they remember? What will their excuse be this time? Drafting the rent eliminates most of this.

I also have a few tenants who prefer to have their rent drafted, especially those whose paychecks are automatically deposited. They really love that convenience.

I require drafting the rent when a tenant has had occasional problems in the past of being late with the rent. If a past landlord tells me his tenant always pays but they're usually late, I will make drafting the rent a requirement. Otherwise I wouldn't consider renting to that person. The tenant realizes that the money must be there!! If not, they owe me $20 returned check fee, plus additional late fees. It is well worth the small $1.80 per bank draft fee I pay, it takes so much off my mind.

Steven,
stkline@juno.com

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From: Tony Mauro
Des Moines, IA.

A number of months back, we read a tip in Mr. Landlord about a service from C&A Solutions that would allow us as "smaller" landlords (we own 35 properties) to automatically deduct rent payments at very reasonable prices, from our tenant's accounts. We started this program with C&A Solutions, and they made it extremely easy to set up, gave us all of the papers we needed to sign, and even sent us electronic versions that we could customize.

We then sent a letter to all of our tenants and told them of this new and exciting service we had and some took advantage of it and some did not (which was O.K. with us). But the real beauty is, when we have turnover now, we now advertise a $465 apartment at $495 and tell prospective tenants that they receive a $25 a month discount if they pay electronically. This a win-win situation for us because if they don't choose this method, we receive more rent, but all of our new tenants choose this method (they are not dummies, they don't want to pay an extra $25). In addition, the tenant never has to worry about being late, mailing payments, or even writing checks. Most love this chance to make their lives easier.

We are the true winners though. All of our rent collection hassles are eliminated. We have what all landlords dream of-getting paid on the first of the month, and NO hassles. Gone are the days of calling people on the 4th or 5th and asking where is the rent? So for a very small fee, all of our rent collection hassles are eliminated. I am sure I share the same opinion as most of you, that I am worth far more an hour than the small monthly fee ($1.80 per rent draft) for this service and it saves a ton of time. Tony,
phone: 515-244-HOME
fax: 515-883-1956
email: creepers@concentric.net

CLICK HERE for landlords or managers to request more information from Claudia Miller about participation in the AUTOMATIC RENT DRAFTS. (You are under no obligation at this point by sending her an email, this is just a request for more information to review).