So my renter's lease is up. He said that he has a friend who builds wooden decks professionally. He asked if they could build a deck in the backyard. Labor will be free, but he's asking me to pay for the materials. Don't know how much it'll cost. I'm inclined to ok this depending the cost. I say, one month's rent sounds fair(1100k). Of course the friend has to show proof of having work comp insurance.
My renter wants to build a deck in return he'll sign a 2 year lease...
By burritos Follow Fri, 23 Sep 2011, 9:50am 2,885 views 32 comments
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I would ask if you can see some of the work his friend has done. Or maybe see a deck he is currently working on so you know you will be happy with the end product. Have him show you the design too.
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If the friend does it professionally, does the friend have a CCB you could research? Anyone can build a deck, but far less can build a 'good' deck.
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In Ca. you need a permit. If work is not up to code it will affect the future sale of the property. Adding a deck will,also affect the local tax assessment.
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Los Angeles, CA
You could only agree to M to M lease.
THEN a few months after the deck is finished RAISE THE RENT.
This is just as crappy as the renter wanting to lock in his current rent for 2 years.
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ptiemann says
Depends on if they're a good tenant or not. If they don't cause a lot of trouble, don't tear up the place very much, pay rent like clockwork, and want to improve the place, it may be better to try to keep them rather than look for the next guy who's an unknown. Most experienced landlords know the difference.
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Newbury Park, CA
http://www.theintricatedesign.com/
is his website.
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Hampton, VA
SF ace says
I have never seen a wood deck that was not built with pressure treated lumber. A deck built from common untreated lumber would be an example of incompetence, no matter what state one lives in. A better choice (although more expensive) would be to use modern composites (Trex, etc). That would take away the maintenance issues, such as having to pressure wash and re-stain every few years.
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Murrieta, CA
I'd build the deck and not use the renter buddy to build. I'd build it myself.
good decks cost big bucks, redwood for deck and rails and pressure for base and all cross members.
with permits.
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Newbury Park, CA
Katy Perry says
I've never built a deck in my life and it's a thousand miles from me, so that's not an option for me.
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ptiemann says
Sounds like you've run into many renters that are all too familiar with how to use the system to screw the greedy, scumbag landlords in your area. Not that you are one of them - it is just that many places in the BA are infamous for slumlording assholes who collect overpriced rent for illegal (and often unsafe) units to pay for mortgage debt they really can't afford.
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KJ says
Just curious, OP, do you plan to pull a permit for this one?
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Alexandria, VA
This is what I would think if I were a landlord.
It's my house and building new deck means an improvement that adds value to my property. So, it has to be done the way I want by the person I trust when I want at my descretion. I don't think it's mandatory fix or anything that landlord has to do for the tennant, and I don't see any point a renter has to do with it. I'd rather have another renter than a one who is trying to negotiate something over mine about what he wants involving his buddy.
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Saint George, UT
elliemae's website
Burritos:
You've known this renter for awhile, right? He has a friend who builds decks professionally. How long was the original lease, and how do you feel about it?
If you're okay with it, tell him it's a "go" - but treat it like a professional job as you would with a contractor. Is he bonded, insured, etc? Write up a contract that you're happy with.
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A lot for questions: tenant quality, current rent, increase built in for year two etc. which no one can answer but you.
Some one suggested redwood for decking, rails etc. Be aware that not all redwood is created equal. Make sure if you use redwood it is an all heart grade, meaning no white /sap wood. The sap wood has virtually no inherent rot resistant quality and is no better then untreated pine. There is good quality redwood available but it is expensive and I wouldnt use it in a rental.
On a side note I have seen many old decks in California that were built with untreated doug Fir (heart doug fir has some rot resistance) surprisingly they lasted quite a while. Apparently this was fairly common years ago. Today current deck building practice uses treated lumber, typically treated doug fir for all the structural components. Due to the way fir absorbs preservative it is required that every cut end be hand treated with preservative compound, something often neglected.
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Scottsdale, AZ
robertoaribas's website
I'm shocked by the paranoia on here... Sounds like an excellent tenant, some tenants don't even take care of home, here we have one that actually wants to improve it? remarkable!
For your own piece of mind, get the tenant to send a few pictures of prior decks his friend has made, and insist that the work be permitted and inspected per local codes.
As to the paranoia about a 2 year lease, ask if he will up his deposit by another month. But I'd say a tenant putting his own money into a deck is very unlikely to break a lease... and if he did, you'd be back to square one with a new deck... win-win.
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Premium
Let asshole's friend build the deck.
If it's OK, triple the rent.
If it sucks, punch the tenant in the face and tell the police that he attacked you and file charges for assault.
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Oakland, CA
if hes a good tenant who pays the rent on time and doesnt bother you I would probably do that in exchange for keeping him.
I would do a 1 yr lease though.
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robertoaribas says
Welcome to the rental market in coastal California. Most landlords are not only greedy douche-bags, but remarkably ignorant about how to manage their own rentals. They've been favored by circumstance with 30+ years of explosive population growth in the recent past, and they've grown used to their standards of treating anyone who is not themselves like dirty serfs with no consequences. They don't give a shit about tenants, and think that folks will forever line up to rent their dead mommy's tacky shit-shack rancher for top dollar.
APOCALYPSEFUCK is Tony Manero says
Right on AF!
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It could be awkward and cloud your landlord/tenant relationship. If you decide no then blame it on assessment or permit. If you decide yes, then be prepared for the worst. Hope for the best.
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What if tbe job doesn't get completed?
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Newbury Park, CA
I don't know the tenant personally. My property manager says he is a good tenant. Hasn't been late for rent for 3 years. The HOA recently sent me a letter of commendation for their keeping the landscaping in such good condition. I'm not trying to make a killing just trying to build equity over time and cash flow in time for my kids to go to college. If the materials are $500-1000, I'm inclined to do it. Anymore, I'd have to think twice.
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burritos says
And the HOA is cool with a new deck?
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Murrieta, CA
OK if the guy can build a deck, then build the deck.
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Newbury Park, CA
terriDeaner says
Gosh I never thought of that. I'll have to check on that.
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The web site looks ok but I'd check Angies List for any contractor. It is very easy these days to get photos and put them on the internet.
I'm not claiming that this one faked it but it's better to be safe than sorry.
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Saint George, UT
elliemae's website
robertoaribas says
I'm totally with Roberto here. Do your homework, let 'em know what you can afford for materials and let 'er rip. They're not gonna build a pos they can't use, that doesn't make sense.
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elliemae says
Yeah, if this is a good tenant, as I said above, then this doesn't sound horrible. A good tenant that wants to improve your place is hard to find. I think many inexperienced landlords wouldn't understand this, and even some "experienced" (but incompetent) landlords don't understand this. It's better to have a good tenant who pays like clockwork who doesn't tear up your house, and who wants to improve your house, even if that person pays $100/mo less. I've met people who've rented their places for 20+ years who don't really understand this concept.
I do recommend you treat it like any other contractor -- you probably would want to approve the design, materials, and size, get all the permits, make sure the HOA is okay, etc.
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Saint George, UT
elliemae's website
So......................
what happened? Enquiring minds want to know.
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Newbury Park, CA
Resident sent me an estimate. Using a Lowe's estimate generator for a basic rectangular 210 sq ft, the supplies are going to be $1700. The builder/neighbor said that he could do it for under $1200. $6 a square foot? Seems reasonable to me but I know squat about this kind of stuff. Monthly rent is $1100 so it's more than 1 months rent but not that much more. I called the HOA and they say they need to approve it, so I forwarded the application to my property manager to give to the resident. So the ball is in their court for now.
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Saint George, UT
elliemae's website
Sounds like a win/win to me, fwiw.
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Scottsdale, AZ
robertoaribas's website
this is sounding kind of good to me... Partner, I currently manage six of my own rentals, about to be seven when I move in November and rent my current home. I would do a freaking back flip right now if I new my next tenant in my house would A. stay 3 years, B. pay all the rent on time, and C. have an interest in improving the place!!! are you freaking kidding me? vacancy is the number one terror for a landlord, followed swiftly by poor care of the property...Phoenix vacancy rates are only now barely below 10%, rents aren't dropping anymore, at least right now, but the business here is still very tough.
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Newbury Park, CA
elliemae says
robertoaribas says
Yes, but the improvement is on my dime, though it is at a discount. My initial inclination was to do it to merely to appease the tenant, but now I feel better with the "having a renter who wants to improve the property" take.