Posted by David Krulac on April 21, 2003 at 14:56:11:
there’s usually a special 3 rooms $39.95. a 6 room house $80. usually the baths and kichen don’t have carpet. I have lots of carpet and get a good price from a cleaner that has been doing carpets for me for many years.
Would you let your tenant? - Posted by Jay
Posted by Jay on April 20, 2003 at 02:30:21:
My tenant said that if I purchased the paint, they would paint the interior of their house at no charge. The carpet is old, so I’m not too worried about it being ruined. Would you get the paint for them to do it?
Also, a tenant called and asked me:
“I was wondering if you could rent a carpet cleaner so we can clean our carpets. It doesnt need to be done by a professional or anything, we’d just like to get them cleaned up.” I’m just wondering if it’s my responsibility during their tenancy to pay to have their carpets cleaned? I have a feeling that it was my responsibility before they moved in, and after they move out, but during the tenancy it is up to them. What do you guys think? Please let me know, Jay
Re: Would you let your tenant? - Posted by Lisa
Posted by Lisa on April 21, 2003 at 13:58:50:
They want you to pay to clean their dirt? No way. We pay for a professional carpet cleaning between tenants and it states in the rental contract that $75 will be withheld from their security deposit for carpet cleaning. It costs more to clean than that but we pick up the rest.
As far as the painting goes…if the tenant is a painter or otherwise very handy and the place needs paint and I approve the color/quality then likely I’d say OK. We have learned the hard way it is usually best to say NO…had a tenant paint a bath tub once and let another install a new AC system (problem was it wasn’t new but rebuilt and didn’t last long and we had to pay for a brand new one shortly after they left). So it all depends on how much you trust them. But pay to clean their dirt…nope.
Re: The Devil made me do it. - Posted by Ed Copp
Posted by Ed Copp on April 20, 2003 at 15:24:58:
So she wants to paint, and you might just want to let her do it.
Of course she will paint with good quality meterial. Should be good if you buy it. She also will do a top notch job, you have discussed this with her and the job will be first class.
The devil asks: When she gets started she climbs the ladder and falls off, it seems that a bone in her foot is broken as well as her arm, and she will need a stitch or two above her eye. So logically she expects you to pay the bill, right?
Oh and she will probably not be able to do any modeling because of the stitches, so a carrer replacement check will also be due on a monthly basis. It is also likely that she will have a limp because of the broken foot … we will get back to that issue.
She claims that she is your employee, since she was providing labor in exchange for a first class paint job on your investment property. This of course will make your property a lot more valuable. Labor for something of value equals employee employer relationship (per the devil). So do you have workers comp insurance on her? If not why not? Then there is the issue of witholdings and so on to address.
This is a toutchy issue for a lot of us, it is more important than what color and quality the paint is. It is also more important than can she paint or not? It will get real important if she gets some sort of permanant disability, and she retains the devil for her lawyer.
no… - Posted by David Krulac
Posted by David Krulac on April 20, 2003 at 15:19:12:
painting, in most cases no. Most people are lousy painters. Recently a tennat painted without my permission. There was paint all over the newly refinished hardwood floors (cost $4,000). There was paint on the door knobs, there was paint on the window glass. There was paint everywhere. It was a very amateur job that was sloppy and looked like it was done by kindergarten kids. Any place where the trim, baseboard, window and door trim is naturally finished, as in NOT painted, you are asking for the tennat to screw it up. I’ve seen tennats paint walls flat black, bright orange, purple, strips, polka dots, and just about everything you can imagine and a few things that you can’t. If you don’t care, and there is no trim/floor issue, and this is not a high end property, and you satisifed that you’ll have to paint when the tennat moves then go for it, but I wouldn’t.
carpet cleaning absolutely yes, if fact I’d pay for it and have a professional do it. A whole house costs $80 including labor.
David Krulac
Re: Would you let your tenant? - Posted by Rick in Erie
Posted by Rick in Erie on April 20, 2003 at 11:20:07:
Jay, sounds like you have two tenants who care about your apt’s, which is great. I would let them do the work, as long as you believe they will do a good job and are at least moderately handy. Here are a few things that might save you some $ if you do either of these ideas. 1) call local hardware and paint stores and ask if they have a “goof paint” section. I have a paint store that sells me their goof paint for $5 a gallon. This is Benjanim Moore Regal paint that sells for $29 a gallon new, and they usually have a good selection.(I reccomend never using cheap paint for anything, you will pay for it in the long run). 2)Go find a good deal on a good carpet cleaner, and just buy one. This will pay for itself many times over if you plan on keeping rentals. You can let your tenants use it, and will save you on renting one. Hope this helps and Good Investing!..Rick…
Re: Would you let your tenant? - Posted by RichV(FL)
Posted by RichV(FL) on April 20, 2003 at 10:37:12:
Jay,
I did that with a tenant once. She wanted to paint one room so I bought the paint for her and she took care of the labor.
Of course there was an understanding that this had nothing to do with the rent. It was a seperate agreement.
It turned out nice…she did a good job and will be signing for a thrid year with me this May. She turned out to be one of my best tenants.
Good luck,
RichV(FL)
Re: Would you let your tenant? - Posted by IB (NJ)
Posted by IB (NJ) on April 20, 2003 at 09:45:40:
IMHO, you should appreciate the fact that you have tenants who want to keep your property in good condition. Painting and carpet cleaning is something you would be responsible for should they vacate the apartment. For them to put in the free labor now is a plus.
Just make sure they CLEARLY understand that there work will not affect the rent in any manner. You want full rent and on time by the 1st.
$80 to clean a whole house? - Posted by Tim (CT)
Posted by Tim (CT) on April 21, 2003 at 15:55:37:
I costs about $80 to do 1.5 rooms here in CT. A 5 room apartment would cost me a minimum of $275 to $300 to have it professionally cleaned.
$80 is not much money. I’d pay for a professional as well.
Re: no… - Posted by Mark (SDCA)
Posted by Mark (SDCA) on April 21, 2003 at 12:16:18:
A whole house costs $80 including labor.
This must be very regional. No way I can get it done anywhere near this. I pay twice this easy and more if they were “bad” tenants.
Mark