Did a 3 month "maintenance check" on a unit that's been rented 3 months.. Not impressed. Single guy. Vape cartridges all over (empty) ones but says he doesn't vape in the house. He hasn't pulled the trash to the curb in the 3 months he's been there. He has piles of laundry he's not done. Hasn't cleaned anything of course. His mother was a cosigner. (She wanted the slob out of her house I see). He's mid 30s..not a kid. What would you do? Give his walking papers or tell him he needs to hire a housekeeper to come in at least 2 x a month? Is that Kosher? Can I do that? It's prob a C place..1 bedroom. Not that easy to rent.

Lucy, sadly, he will not get better. From my lease...

________________Condition of the Home: The home shall be kept in a clean, sanitary, uncluttered condition which would allow unobstructed access to windows, doors, walls, floors, and heating and air conditioning vents. The accumulation of excess items in a home will prevent proper routine cleaning which can lead to problems with pests, odors, damage to the home, mildew growth in bathrooms, etc.

Should Guest not keep the home in a reasonably clean and sanitary manner, ABC, LLC will issue a notice of default. ABC, LLC reserves the right to hire a recurring cleaning service and bill the Guest if Guest is not keeping the home in a reasonably clean and sanitary manner. This amount will be due and payable with the next regular rent payment unless a payment plan has been agreed upon in writing.

We then have almost an entire page explaining what reasonably clean looks like.

If Mom wanted him gone, maybe call her, explain the situation and see if she will pay for a weekly cleaning service so he won't get booted out of your place and have to return to hers?

This situation can very easily lead to tens of thousands of dollars worth or damages in a year's time.

Don't use the term "hoarder" as it is now classified as a disorder and is protected under the Fair Housing Act.

Always, always, always refer to safety concerns and health concerns. Safety and health.

I wish you all the best!

Thanks for your thoughts!

6x6. seems like most are impossible to do a home visit of my current applicants. This one in particular was forced to move because the company was tearing his building down (near a college) and thus he moved in with mom temporarily.

Lucy,

Any chance you could make this one or the one vacant since Feb into an Airbnb?

Have you explored the idea of renting to people whose places were damaged via the insurance companies?

Lucy Lucy Lucy!

As your friend - Tough love - I'm hearing excuses. Grab hold of your business.

I get it. One bed apt does not attract top applicants. But don't just give in. If a 3 month walk thru is valuable, the In Home prior to approval is MORE impt.

Like Sisco said - no In Home Visit = no lease.

We deny 20% at the In Home AFTER they have been approved on paper. We only visit the last one who has money prepped and ready to move now.

Protect your property and time.

Out of town - Google a realtor in that zip code, I pay them $50. They are all BROKE!

Rooming with family - we eyeball the home - what they tolerate - parking, junk, trash, animals.

If they won't let you in or make excuses to avoid an appointment - you dodged a bullet!

Clutter and piles don't not bother me. But stink and stains do.

One guy might not have enough trash to fill the toter.

Lucy Lucy Lucy!

As your friend - Tough love - I'm hearing excuses. Grab hold of your business.

I get it. One bed apt does not attract top applicants. But don't just give in. If a 3 month walk thru is valuable, the In Home prior to approval is MORE impt.

Like Sisco said - no In Home Visit = no lease.

We deny 20% at the In Home AFTER they have been approved on paper. We only visit the last one who has money prepped and ready to move now.

Protect your property and time.

Out of town - Google a realtor in that zip code, I pay them $50. They are all BROKE!

Rooming with family - we eyeball the home - what they tolerate - parking, junk, trash, animals.

If they won't let you in or make excuses to avoid an appointment - you dodged a bullet!

Clutter and piles don't not bother me. But stink and stains do.

One guy might not have enough trash to fill the toter.

PS

I hear you on the long vacancy. We are averaging 40 paid applications to find a good one.

We have a few low end, upstairs apts. These folks don't have internet so an open house yard sign plus talking to people while we're at the home working, seems to get results.

I recommend that first visit about 28 days after move in. Rent is due on the 30th and this allows me to try and modify any bad behavior before it gets too deeply rooted.

I would review my screening process - somehow they slipped into your place

Grab a bucket of Magic Landlord Pills,

To echo and expand on what Sisco and Brad said....

It doesn't matter the reason for not being able to do the in-home visit. You MUST do it. Period. If you can't, or they won't let you, or (insert any other reason you can thing of)... DON'T sign the lease.

The tenant you currently have is the reasoning behind it. Don't make excuses for why the applicant doesn't, can't, or won't meet your criteria. Either the visit happens or you don't sign the lease.

I don't care if they're working for NASA and have been living on the International Space station for the past year. No inspection = no lease.

I agree with Renne and others...

In home visit is critical...and...per Renne....have a lease clause that requires some level of sanitary/cleanliness