Do not allow pets under any circumstance, and take a deposit of at least one month's rent. Prepare to have to replace your carpets.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Separate appointments. Rent on "gut" and not what the credit score tells you. Hire an attorney to draw up a lease for you. Best $ I ever spent. Included strict provisions for selling while tenant was living there, and use of condo for smoking, cooking with aromatics, etc.

No cooking with aromatics? Is that your way of saying Indians Need Not Apply?

Nope, it just means I don't want to have to repaint the entire unit and replace all of the carpeting in between tenants. I could give a crap less what background a tenant has. FYI in VA a lawyer recommended and included this in the lease he drew up for me. Wasn't my idea, but I agreed just like cigarette smoke, I did not want it affecting resale or turnover value.

I have asthma and if I can tell incense or candles have been burning, I don't rent it

This is why I always do an open house. I get all applications at once, and I can choose the best without worrying that the dingbat roommates or family of 5 wanting to cram into 2 rooms will sue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Separate appointments. Rent on "gut" and not what the credit score tells you. Hire an attorney to draw up a lease for you. Best $ I ever spent. Included strict provisions for selling while tenant was living there, and use of condo for smoking, cooking with aromatics, etc.

No cooking with aromatics? Is that your way of saying Indians Need Not Apply?

Nope, it just means I don't want to have to repaint the entire unit and replace all of the carpeting in between tenants. I could give a crap less what background a tenant has. FYI in VA a lawyer recommended and included this in the lease he drew up for me. Wasn't my idea, but I agreed just like cigarette smoke, I did not want it affecting resale or turnover value.

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind some of the suggestions posted on this thread are in violation of the Fair Housing rules. You can accept tenants based on financial information and ability to pay, and no other qualifiers. Their cooking style and family situation (if they have kids) etc cannot be factors in your choice -- that's illegal. You can state no pets and then not accept any tenants who have pets though.

You can violate Fair Housing if you are a small landlord. http://blog.tenantverification.com/tips/tenant-screening/do-the-fair-housing-laws-apply-to-all-landlords/

You're allowed to 'discriminate' (in VA) if you don't own more than 4-5 rentals. Ie. if you don't want ppl with kids or just don't like the look/feel of someone.

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind some of the suggestions posted on this thread are in violation of the Fair Housing rules. You can accept tenants based on financial information and ability to pay, and no other qualifiers. Their cooking style and family situation (if they have kids) etc cannot be factors in your choice -- that's illegal. You can state no pets and then not accept any tenants who have pets though.

Cooking style is listed in the fair housing rules?

Keep in mind some of the suggestions posted on this thread are in violation of the Fair Housing rules. You can accept tenants based on financial information and ability to pay, and no other qualifiers. Their cooking style and family situation (if they have kids) etc cannot be factors in your choice -- that's illegal. You can state no pets and then not accept any tenants who have pets though.

Anonymous wrote:Separate appointments. Rent on "gut" and not what the credit score tells you. Hire an attorney to draw up a lease for you. Best $ I ever spent. Included strict provisions for selling while tenant was living there, and use of condo for smoking, cooking with aromatics, etc.

No cooking with aromatics? Is that your way of saying Indians Need Not Apply?

I've been searching for a townhouse for me and my family remotely (living in Boston area; relocating to DC) I would say, not knowing the area, Craigslist is just OK. Trulia and Zillow are the best. As, they offer you information about the neighborhood, crime, school systems, etc. And, Zumper. It's a new-ish site and takes a little getting used to be offers more than Craigslist does. When I'm searching Craigslist because I'm unfamiliar with the area, I feel lost. Ultimately, if an address is listed, I have to try and piece together what neighborhood and schools. And, I agree re. open houses. I've attended them and it can be awkward. You may want schedule appointments within a window and give some wiggle room. Someone will be late! Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:Do you have to pay to list on military by owner? Not OP, but we have a condo to rent in Bethesda that I think could be attractive to the Naval Medical Center people.

I think so - I paid the extra to be a "featured" listing with a photo and felt it was worth it. I'm the immediate PP and this is how we found our tenant.