When it’s time for the family member to vacate the property and end the tenancy, you hope that the property is in the same condition it was when the family member first moved in. Your definition of clean might be different from theirs. Assuming you collected a security deposit, they will expect to get it all back. To return that deposit, you’ll need the property to be in good condition and clean.
Pros and Cons of Renting Your Sacramento Home to Relatives
Is it okay to rent to a family member or relative?
Here’s a short answer: maybe. But, probably not.
Here are a few things to think about.
Will that Family Member Pay Rent on Time?
At the beginning of what should be a business relationship, of course you expect your relatives to pay rent on time. But life happens. There could be a change in employment or a surprise financial hardship or something else. When that occurs, be prepared for questions such as:
- I get paid next Friday. Can I pay the rent a little late?
- Can I pay less this month?
- Can I skip this month?
- You’re not going to charge me a late fee, are you?
It’s important that you establish and enforce a consistent rent collection policy for all of your tenants – even those to whom you happen to be related.
Will your Family Member Assist in Maintaining the Home?
Something else to think about is whether that family member who becomes your resident will take care of the property and keep it in good condition. Is your relative something of a handyman? That’s a positive, and it might help you maintain your property. Maybe they can repair the fence or tighten hinges and locks or even take care of minor plumbing or electrical issues.
But, be careful of the over-zealous types. You could find yourself with someone who wants to do a mild remodel or perhaps paint a few rooms wild colors. They might move around your appliances or do something that you aren’t happy about.
Ending the Tenancy but Not the Relationship
Even though the resident/landlord relationship is ending, you want to make sure the family relationship doesn’t end as well.
At Sacramento Delta, we can protect you from any awkward exchanges with your family member when they’re renting a property from you. We treat every resident the same way, and we establish three pillars of qualifications before we move anyone into your home. These are:
- Strong credit.
- Positive rental history. We don’t want to talk to former residents and hear about noise complaints and late rental payments. We want to know your residents kept the properties they lived in previously in good condition.
- Verifiable income. We want to make sure your resident can pay rent on time consistently every month.
If you have any questions about how we would manage your property with a resident who is a relative – or with any resident at all, contact us at Sacramento Delta Property Management. We’ve been managing properties for over 40 years, and that is service you can trust.
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