I have read enough postings on the Kenwood site to know that landlords (absentee or not), can be a sore subject. I'd just like to voice a different perspective. I will be closing on a property next week that has a garage apartment and an apartment on the second floor of the main house. I will be moving into this house (temporarily). My husband was in the neighborhood tonight and noticed that the tenants in the garage apartment were outside, literally killing each other. The husband was hitting the wife with a full beer can, choking and kicking this woman. My husband stopped his car, got out, diffused a very bad situation and told the tenants that next week, they would be given a 30-day notice (I'm not sure he put it quite so kindly). We also called the police who came immediately due to the severity of the situation. The police wanted my husband's name, his place of employment, his title at work, his birthdate, etc...I don't think they missed much. The tenants denied any arguments whatsoever, they told the police that this was the new landlord's way of raising the rent. HUH?
Now I have the extreme good fortune of moving into a home and having tenants living 20 feet away who would probably like to see me on another planet, and that's putting it lightly! For the next month,(if they don't leave, it will cost me $350 to implement a speedy eviction), I'm forced to live under these circumstances. I'm being punished for doing the right thing and having a little integrity.
My point is.....I'm living in a portion of my rental property and I have every intention of cleaning up the people/things that need to be cleaned up. The tenants that are living on this property don't appear to be the nicest of tenants. Getting involved is definitely the right thing to do but certainly not comfortable or easy. Imagine how the absentee landlords feel? If they get involved they risk damage/theft, etc... to their property as a form of revenge. Most absentee landlords take the easy way out and stay uninvolved. It's not the right thing to do but I can say that now I have a degree of empathy as to what they go through!

Landlords

Hi Diane.

I think you have misunderstood the postings on landlords. I like most people in Kenwoopd do not have a problem with responsible landlords. I am a landlord and know of all the problems that come with owning rental property. First is that you have to screen tenants. Irresponsible landlords do not. They rent to the first person who has the required security deposit or first months rent whatever the case may be. Second you must repair or replace broken items in a timely manner and have pride in your rental building the same as you do for the house that you live in, absent or not. That is the difference between a good and bad landlord. Unfortunately, we have a majority of very bad landlords in this neighborhood. You sound like you will be a great one. It isn't easy....Good luck.

Kathy

By Kathy Young

Kathy...thanks!

Hi Kathy,

Thanks for the info and kind words of encouragement! My husband and I had rentals up north so the trials and tribulations of being a landlord are dear to my heart! LOL Maybe you could give me some insight as to what I might be able to charge for rent in the Kenwood area.

I have a couple of apartments...they are very nice apartments and in great condition. One is a garage apartment (1 bedroom, approximately 650 sq. ft., wonderful appliances, patio) and the rent is currently $350/month. I can't help but think that this might be a little on the low side. I pay for water, the tenants pay all other utilities.

I think that possibly, if these units were marketed a little different when vacant, they might attract a more quality-type tenant and a slightly higher rent. What do you think? I'm at a definite geographic disadvantage being so new to Florida.

Any insights/tips/advice you might be able to give me would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks so much....

Rent

Hey Diane,

$350 does sound low for 650 square feet, but I would have to see it.

If it is a nice apartment I am sure that you can get some respectable people to rent it from you. Again, that's the key to owning nice property(well one of anyway). You should come to one of the neighborhood meetings or walk by the cottages on 3rd avenue and 22nd street. Bob Jeffrey owns them and he is in the middle of renovating them and putting them up for rent. You could compare notes. I do not own any rental property here.I own in Old Northeast and Uptown. Different place, different rents.

Good luck and please attend one of the meetings and introducd yourself, I would love to meet you.

Kathy

By Kathy Young