What’s the best way to get a rowhouse contracted directly with an embassy? We are moving overseas for 2-3 years and live near WIS. Would love to rent it directly to an embassy to an international family on a similar timeline.

Also happy to do military. What’s the housing allowance for DC?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Best tenants are military families. Handy and trustworthy. Diplomats leave the country after a couple of years. They don’t care about their credit here. Can trash your place without much consequences.

Military can leave w/o consequences if they're called for duty

Maybe in terms of timing, but not condition. I grew up in a town with a military base, and military officers were the best tenants. The base had inspectors that would come check the house after move out to make sure it had been left in pristine condition. Literally the “white glove” test. I don’t know if they do that anymore, but there would be repercussions for a member of the military who trashed a house. The base has an interest in maintaining access to rental properties in the area, and they want a reputation for being good tenants.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My diplomat friend says never ever rent to diplomats

Why so? Is it because they entertain too much? Or is it because they normally cannot afford such nice housing in their own country so are inexperienced in taking care of large properties? I know some European and Asian diplomats could only afford to live in tiny apartments in their own cities, so can be very neglective of normal maintenance required by American houses. Plus they normally have too many children (the more children the more benefits and wife normally don't work)

They have too many children? The wife doesn’t work? What do you care if the wife doesn’t work?

Let’s put it this way, OP, I would not rent to diplomats who don’t have to do it through their embassy.

Your “diplomat friend” sounds a bit dim. We have had amazing diplomat tenants for years. Rent comes like clockwork through the embassy. Property manager does a quick walk through every 6 months and says they’re taking great care of our house

What a dimwit high ranking EU diplomat. You tell ‘em.

We had another friend, also EU, who told us about the landlords. Ew. The Bethesda houses with mold and crickets and snakes and mice. Their children embraced the “wildlife”. It goes both ways

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My diplomat friend says never ever rent to diplomats

Why so? Is it because they entertain too much? Or is it because they normally cannot afford such nice housing in their own country so are inexperienced in taking care of large properties? I know some European and Asian diplomats could only afford to live in tiny apartments in their own cities, so can be very neglective of normal maintenance required by American houses. Plus they normally have too many children (the more children the more benefits and wife normally don't work)

They have too many children? The wife doesn’t work? What do you care if the wife doesn’t work?

Let’s put it this way, OP, I would not rent to diplomats who don’t have to do it through their embassy.

DP. We rent directly to embassies and we don't rent directly to diplomats. We don't rent directly to diplomats because they can hide behind their diplomatic immunity and .we have no recourse if they violate the terms of the lease and/or they damage the house beyond the amount of the security deposit.

Interesting. Is this unusual? B/c I understand diplomat signs but the Embassy pays?

We heard, if your house needs a make over rent to Aussies as they pay the most, but they are also harder on the house, so dont rent to them if you just remodeled the house. 😉

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My diplomat friend says never ever rent to diplomats

Why so? Is it because they entertain too much? Or is it because they normally cannot afford such nice housing in their own country so are inexperienced in taking care of large properties? I know some European and Asian diplomats could only afford to live in tiny apartments in their own cities, so can be very neglective of normal maintenance required by American houses. Plus they normally have too many children (the more children the more benefits and wife normally don't work)

They have too many children? The wife doesn’t work? What do you care if the wife doesn’t work?

Let’s put it this way, OP, I would not rent to diplomats who don’t have to do it through their embassy.

DP. We rent directly to embassies and we don't rent directly to diplomats. We don't rent directly to diplomats because they can hide behind their diplomatic immunity and .we have no recourse if they violate the terms of the lease and/or they damage the house beyond the amount of the security deposit.

We have rented to military, foreign service and diplomats. Military families are by far the best. Foreign Service and diplomats left our home in far worse shape and were unable to handle even the simpler of home tasks (like changing air filters and lightbulbs).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My diplomat friend says never ever rent to diplomats

Why so? Is it because they entertain too much? Or is it because they normally cannot afford such nice housing in their own country so are inexperienced in taking care of large properties? I know some European and Asian diplomats could only afford to live in tiny apartments in their own cities, so can be very neglective of normal maintenance required by American houses. Plus they normally have too many children (the more children the more benefits and wife normally don't work)

Because they trash it and you have no recourse.

I would wager people you mention above are not your problem

In my experience diplomats and expats make good tenants, they also have good insurance. If one spouse is at home, house stays in good shape. When one family leaves, they put in a good word and their substitute feels eager to rent it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My diplomat friend says never ever rent to diplomats

Why so? Is it because they entertain too much? Or is it because they normally cannot afford such nice housing in their own country so are inexperienced in taking care of large properties? I know some European and Asian diplomats could only afford to live in tiny apartments in their own cities, so can be very neglective of normal maintenance required by American houses. Plus they normally have too many children (the more children the more benefits and wife normally don't work)

They have too many children? The wife doesn’t work? What do you care if the wife doesn’t work?

Let’s put it this way, OP, I would not rent to diplomats who don’t have to do it through their embassy.

Your “diplomat friend” sounds a bit dim. We have had amazing diplomat tenants for years. Rent comes like clockwork through the embassy. Property manager does a quick walk through every 6 months and says they’re taking great care of our house

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The rent gets paid

That really depends on what country the diplomat represents.

Not really. All the diplomat rentals defer to their countries' laws. It's a real pain

Anonymous wrote:Best tenants are military families. Handy and trustworthy. Diplomats leave the country after a couple of years. They don’t care about their credit here. Can trash your place without much consequences.

Military can leave w/o consequences if they're called for duty

Best tenants are military families. Handy and trustworthy. Diplomats leave the country after a couple of years. They don’t care about their credit here. Can trash your place without much consequences.

Anonymous wrote:Do your homework carefully.

What does this entail?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My diplomat friend says never ever rent to diplomats

Why so? Is it because they entertain too much? Or is it because they normally cannot afford such nice housing in their own country so are inexperienced in taking care of large properties? I know some European and Asian diplomats could only afford to live in tiny apartments in their own cities, so can be very neglective of normal maintenance required by American houses. Plus they normally have too many children (the more children the more benefits and wife normally don't work)

They have too many children? The wife doesn’t work? What do you care if the wife doesn’t work?

Let’s put it this way, OP, I would not rent to diplomats who don’t have to do it through their embassy.