Gaming World Forums
General Category => General Talk => Topic started by: skarik on February 25, 2011, 03:27:47 pm
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So, I be renting out a place to some people. I'll be supposedly interviewing/showing the house to people that contact me about it.
I should get some sort of 'no liability for me' contract, right? As well as detailing they should be paying every month a they be stayin'?
Is there anything else I should be concerned about?
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Is there anything else I should be concerned about?
the renters being legit psycho
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Where is your property? I imagine you would need some legal assistance in establishing a contract, since you'll most likely end up on Judge Judy when an alleged crack smoker burns your house down.
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It's in Pullman, Washington. It's a college town.
Technically, my parents own the house. Well, no, they own the house. They have the deed or what ever it is and all. They're just having me do everything with this house. The only tie they've got on this is me getting their OK before choosing renters.
Obviously, I'm going to be asking how people are going to pay for everything - I mean if it's parents or their own job - and so I'll be asking for proof of employment. But that's about it. As long as they fit with what seems alright.
But a' really, do I need the legal assistance? If it's just a piece of paper that needs signing - I have no knowledge of how contracts work, mind that - then I could write something up with no loopholes. There's probably a lot of things I could base it off of that I could a find on Google, ayah?
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You don't sound like you know what you're doing and this will probably blow up in your face if you don't sort things out proper.
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Which is why I'm asking for some help.
Honestly, everything that I've looked at so far is extremely simple, which is my major problem.
Edit: Okay. So, like the only complicated part are the state laws dealing with evictin' people. And it's pretty much the same as I thought. The sample lease contracts are pretty much all I expect.
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i don't know about the states but here there's practically templates and the rest is covered by law (you don't need to have a contract telling them they're not allowed to torch the place). you might want to look into insurance stuff as well, if they're liable for all damages and they don't have house insurance you could end up with a pile of cinders and a kid bankrupt at 19
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pretty sure you can use a third party agency or something to do all that for you but you'd lose some money. Like someone said you gotta deal with the legal side, not sure if you go to the court and talk to some clerk or get a lawyer. Prolly need to get the house appraised and do a background check on the renters. Set some basic rules or whatever to make the renters think you give a shit (no modifications to the house without notice is one I think). I'd make damn sure they have a steady source of income and can prove it and I'd ride by atleast once every couple of months to make sure they weren't tearing the place apart because thats only gonna cost you a fortune in the end.
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If your parents are asking you to help select and screen prospective tenants, you'll need to be well-informed.
So here are my suggestions:
1. Clarify with your parents what your role is- how deeply are you involved in this process? This is extremely important- if you're not as deeply involved as you suggest, it might not be necessary for you to know all the things I'm listing below.
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2. Know as much about the house and contract as possible. Go over the deed and rental agreement with your parents to make certain you understand what's involved and can attempt to explain it to prospective tenants.
-How much is the rent per month?
-are utilities like electricity or water included in the rent or are they going to require a separate monthly payment?
-Are phone, TV and internet provided, or must the tenants set up their own contracts?
-How much is the security deposit- the up-front money tenants pay as a promise they won't damage the house, and which covers repairs if things are unacceptable when their contract is up?
-Also discuss with your parents how to do a credit screening, if they want you to do that.
-Make certain to get some form of proof- such as a pay stub- from applicants so you know they have a steady job.
Lastly, let people you know- friends, coworkers- that your parents are looking for renters, and ask them to spread the word to anyone they know who's looking for a place. Meanwhile your parents can put up ads in the paper.
My parents are landlords, and might be willing to offer you some advice- would you be interested?
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But a' really, do I need the legal assistance? If it's just a piece of paper that needs signing - I have no knowledge of how contracts work, mind that - then I could write something up with no loopholes. There's probably a lot of things I could base it off of that I could a find on Google, ayah?
Something you've missed out is that it's a student town, thus it'll probably be students renting the place, right? Here in the UK we have a totally separate set of laws referring to renting to students, and it's much more of a complicated issue. There are a LOT of extra rules when renting to students, as they're a protected group legally, so you may want to check to see if it's a similar situation over there in the US.
Fixtures and fittings - You are responsible for these, so I don't really know what you mean by 'no liability'. Like if a door breaks, the toilet won't flush, the heating goes, a window gets smashed, or just whatever to do with the fixtures/fittings then it's your job to sort it out. You can't just let them get on with it or ask them to fix it. That way leads to lawsuits and them not paying any rent.
pretty sure you can use a third party agency or something to do all that for you but you'd lose some money.
This. Agencies make the job a lot easier.
you might want to look into insurance stuff as well, if they're liable for all damages and they don't have house insurance you could end up with a pile of cinders and a kid bankrupt at 19
If they don't OWN the house they aren't responsible for the fixtures and fittings. The landlord is liable for those. You can't just rent a house to someone and then, when there's an electrical fire or whatever, say "Whoa, you better pay up!". It's still YOUR house at the end of the day, they have no obligation to sort out your fixtures and fittings unless they have specifically damaged them themselves, and even then you as the landlord would have to have PROOF that they've smashed whatever.
You aren't allowed to rent a property out here unless the landlord has house insurance, thank fuck. Otherwise you get really shitty situations with landlords bankrupt and people homeless.
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@Terrorantula
All of those points have already been decided on. Utilities, security deposit, proof of how they be paying. Except for the credit screening.
Something you've missed out is that it's a student town, thus it'll probably be students renting the place, right? Here in the UK we have a totally separate set of laws referring to renting to students, and it's much more of a complicated issue. There are a LOT of extra rules when renting to students, as they're a protected group legally, so you may want to check to see if it's a similar situation over there in the US.
One, that's amazing. Two, it's definitely not what happens in the US, as far as I can find. The only code I can find about students deals with either discrimination, sexual harassment, or privacy. Students have less rights, if anything.
Fixtures and fittings - You are responsible for these, so I don't really know what you mean by 'no liability'. Like if a door breaks, the toilet won't flush, the heating goes, a window gets smashed, or just whatever to do with the fixtures/fittings then it's your job to sort it out. You can't just let them get on with it or ask them to fix it. That way leads to lawsuits and them not paying any rent.
From what I've read for Washington state law in the last two days, the tenants may be held responsible, and if they refuse to fix it or pay for it, I can give them a notice that I'm kicking them out in 30 days. If they don't leave, then I go a to court.
I was working on a leasing contract yesterday, and I just got a call from my parents (like ten minutes ago) that they'll be looking it over with some legal person later today.
You aren't allowed to rent a property out here unless the landlord has house insurance, thank fuck. Otherwise you get really shitty situations with landlords bankrupt and people homeless.
That's something else I'm worried about. On account of the tiny ass amount of moss on the roof, we were denied house insurance. Which fucking pisses me off.
My dad and I have worked on the house a bunch, and I'm probably going to be living in it next year along with the renters, so I definitely a care what happens here. Thanks everybody for the assistance sofar
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If you haven't already looked at it, this will prob help you: http://offcampusliving.wsu.edu/default.asp?PageID=2462
You can probably also go to your city hall (or website) and find the necessary documents you need.
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One, that's amazing. Two, it's definitely not what happens in the US, as far as I can find. The only code I can find about students deals with either discrimination, sexual harassment, or privacy. Students have less rights, if anything.
Wow, but that's good news for YOU at any rate. It makes the process a lot smoother. It sucks for the students though! WHERE IS THE REVOLUTION COMRADE OBAMA!?
rom what I've read for Washington state law in the last two days, the tenants may be held responsible, and if they refuse to fix it or pay for it, I can give them a notice that I'm kicking them out in 30 days. If they don't leave, then I go a to court.
Wow, also insane! But again, good news for landlords. Even if there's pre-existing structural damage or whatever? Or if like a TREE falls on the house? That's still the tenant's responsibility over there??
That's something else I'm worried about. On account of the tiny ass amount of moss on the roof, we were denied house insurance. Which fucking pisses me off.
They can DENY you house insurance there?? What the fuck?
If you're going to be living there yourself then I guess just hope like hell that nothing happens to the house itself, and get yourself some great contents insurance! Also be VERY careful with who you rent to!
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Heheh, Looks like we're in the same boat, Skarik. My parents are also my landlords. Mind you, I pay rent- at a reduced rate-but I'm hoping to either get another job or more steady hours so I can pay more and they have to "eat" less.
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every landlord must hang
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I dont know about America but over here in the UK we have estate angencies, the same guys you buy homes from will also rent for you.
They will look for the clients making sure there is someone always in your home renting so you dont lose a months rent. My dad pays a certain % but all the work is done by them.
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This place is apparently AWASH with the Nouveau riche petty fucking bourgeoisie!
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Whatever.
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Your attitude won't be so glib come the revolution comrade!!!!