Fairfield County CT Landlords- Don't Make These Mistakes

Owning rental property, and obtaining income by receiving monthly  rents can be quite lucrative, but it can also be a disaster if it's not handled properly.

Perform your due diligence PRIOR to offering a lease to your prospective  tenants.

Most experienced Landlords will ask for a credit check, but how many search public records? Or have someone perform that type of search? What about a sex offender check? Have you ever thought about that possibility, and how it may stigmatize your multi-family home for other prospective occupants who may perform that check? As far as I know, sex offenders are not considered a "protected class", and neither are felons.  Your initial application should aslways ask the uncomfortable question-"Have you ever been arrested, and if so, when, and why?"  

Are there any hazardous materials in the home you are about to rent out where someone can become ill as a result of living there? Even if the home has been rented with no complaints, or concerns for many years,it does not mean that the home is toxic-free.  Remember that tenants are a lot more "lit-happy"-  or more amenable to filing a lawsuit than there ever were before, with scores of hungry attorneys looking to create a large case, and award.  Try not to become case law.

One seemingly minor item? *a smoke detector*.  If it is not working, and a fire occurs, you can be in big trouble- morally, ethically, and financially. Perform periodic checks, and  write it down.

......and last but not least, do not discriminate. it is illegal to discriminate in Connecticut on the basis  of  race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry,  sex (gender), marital status, age,  sexual orientation, learning diability, physical or mental handicap, disability, disorder or retardation, familial status and lawful source of income.

If you are in need of a Realtor to represent your best interests in leasing your property, whether it is a single family, luxury home, condominium or otherwise, please contact me.  I will work hard to ensure you get the best tenant possible for your property. Contact  me today

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The Featured Home of the Week is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch home at 20 Hickory Drive, Westport  for just $549,900. See the virtual tour HERE 

 .....or better yet, call Judy to schedule an appointment to see it!

Buying, Selling or Renting a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying, selling or renting Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like:

Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Extension Cord Safety Tips for Connecticut Homeowners and Renters

Extension cords are a convenient way to bring power to electrical devices. Used without proper caution, however, they can become a fire hazard and pose a risk to your personal safety. Follow these tips to help keep your home safe:

Selecting extension cords
•    Purchase only cords that have been approved by an independent testing laboratory.
•    For outdoor projects, use only extension cords marked for outdoor use.
•    Read the instructions (if available) for information about the cord’s correct use and the amount of power it draws when running.
•    Select cords that are rated to handle the wattage of the devices with which they’ll be used. A cord’s gauge indicates its size: The smaller the number, the larger the wire and the more electrical current the cord can safely handle.
•    Also consider the length you’ll need. Longer cords can’t handle as much current as shorter cords of the same gauge.
•    Choose cords with polarized or three-prong plugs.
•    For use with larger appliances, thick, round, low-gauge extension cords are best. For smaller appliances and electronics, you can use thin or flat cords.

Using extension cords
•    Never remove an extension cord’s grounding pin in order to fit it into a two-prong outlet.
•    Avoid powering multiple appliances with one cord.
•    Never use indoor extension cords outdoors.
•    Don’t plug multiple cords together.
•    Don’t run extension cords under rugs or furniture.
•    Never tape extension cords to floors or attach them to surfaces with staples or nails.
•    Don’t bend or coil cords when they’re in use.
•    Cover unused cord receptacles with childproof covers.
•    Stop using extension cords that feel hot to the touch.

Caring for extension cords
•    Always store cords indoors.
•    Unplug extension cords when they’re not in use.
•    Throw away damaged cords.
•    Pull the plug—not the cord—when disconnecting from the outlet.

And remember that extension cords are intended as temporary wiring solutions. If you find you’re using them on a permanent basis, consider updating your home’s electrical system.

The information in this article was obtained from various sources. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. The information is not intended to replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. Nor is it intended to effect coverage under any policy. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information. We assume no liability in connection with the information nor the suggestions made

Article submitted by Brennan Purdy of State Farm Insurance

My vision is to be an insurance professional whose actions are driven by keeping the customer's best interest as my primary goal. My staff will treat all my customers in a caring, friendly, and professional manner. My office will provide warm, efficient, and seamless services to our customers at all times. I expect my business to be comprised of knowledgeable, multiple-line customers who see my office as their first and best choice for all their insurance and financial service needs

For more information on these and other home safety tips, stop by my office or visit www.brennanpurdy.com. My office is conveniently located in downtown Bethel. 203-798-7300.                   211 Greenwood Avenue , Bethel, CT 06801

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The Featured Home of the Week is at 125 Norton Road in Easton  for $1.4M. See the virtual tour HERE

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like:

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com - Westport, Fairfield, Easton and Trumbull Homes for Sale

We are pleased to announce our newly revamped sister real estate website!  If you are looking for an easy way to find your next home in Easton, Fairfield, Norwalk,  Trumbull or Westport, or Fairfield County Connecticut, we invite you to also visit us online at www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com, and this state of the art site now includes additional features not available on theCtrealtyBlog.com, such as our easy  to use Exclusive OneClick EZ Home Search. Try it!

There are 36 custom searches already prepared for you, where all you have to do is click once to find that special home of your dreams, whether it be new construction, waterfront homes,  condos, contemporaries, properties with acreage,  rentals, property searches by town,  cape cod style homes, foreclosure and short sale properties or any of our other custom searches that anyone is bound to find very useful.  You can also do your own advanced custom home search as well. Check it out, please- and let us know what you think.- and yes, you can find our blog posts on that site as well :)

We also have a companion facebook page for www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com and would appreciate a like if you are so inclined.

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The Featured Home of the Week is at 125 Norton Road in Easton  for $1.4M. See the virtual tour HERE

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like:

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Tenants Beware- Are You About to Rent a Foreclosed Home? Did You Think to Check?

Nobody seems to do any kind of checks on the Landlord- and they should. If you are looking to rent a home, you already now that the Landlord will want a recent credit report and references. Have you thought about making sure that your prospective landlord actually owns the property? and that he/she has the right to rent the property?

Even if the property is listed in the MLS, it does not necessarily mean that the listing agent has performed due diligence to make sure that the person that shows them the property and purports themselves to be the owner  is in fact the said owner of the property, or has the legal right to rent it.

Recently, on the news was the case of  a rental scam artist, who took advantage of the flood of neglected, empty houses on the real estate market caused by the huge increase in recession-driven foreclosures, and was able to show the property as his own, obtain a security deposit and first months rent, and NEVER delivered the property as promised. He couldn't. He did not own it.  Those would-be tenants lost their money.

How does this happen? Homes owned by banks and other financial institutions may take months, or even years to sell, leaving them unchecked for the duration and sitting targets for the scammers. Don't think that it will not happen in your area. Others have thought the same thing. Don't fall victim to traps.

In another case, an individual lived in, and paid rent on a house for over a year before finding out that he was unwitting and unwilling participant in  a rental scam and that the "landlord" didn't actually  own the house.

and don't forget

... no matter how nice the property appears, and how well kept is seems to be, is it possible that the home is considered a distressed property?  A distressed property  means that the home is under some stage of the foreclosure process. Would you want to rent a home that was in imminent danger of being foreclosed?

Don't be fooled or scammed. Do your homework and hire an experienced agent  who knows to check these things, and  just as important-  knows how. - and I just happen to know someone.:)

Contact  me today and I will help you find your next home.

If you are out of our service area, we offer a FREE referral service to a top agent in your neighborhood, or anywhere in the country. Click here for more info

Buying, Selling or Renting a Home in Fairfield County?  We'd love to represent you.

If you are in the area, or would like to be, feel free to email us here or visit our main  site at

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com

If you have a question about buying, renting or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

AND.... If you have an idea for a topic that you would like to see on The CT Realty Blog, please include it in the "Post a Comment" section link below this post. We appreciate the feedback and look forward to providing you with the best real estate content, advice and service in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

What Recourse Does a Tenant Have with a Bad Landlord?

Tenants have rights, too! You've all heard stories  in the news about Landlords who have neglected  their occupied rental property, and the tenant suffers greatly. It's not only in the very big cities. It happens in our  area of Connecticut, too.

Things like a heating system in disrepair, broken stove, falling down sheetrock,  and leaky pipes that prevent a tenant from using the property as intended are absolutely shameful on the part of the Landlord- should not be tolerated,  and depending upon the specific wording in your lease,  you- as an aggrieved tenant, may have some recourse

First things first. When you initially look at the property, check for signs of maintenance neglect. That may very well be a good indication as to how things might go if you have a problem if you decide to lease the property.   One small item that needs repair should not present itself as a red flag, but uncovering  a few issues upon your  initial inspection should signal to you that you may encounter a problem should you decide to enter into an agreement with this particular Landlord.

If you see a property that you would like to rent and  it needs repair, and the landlord says he/she will fix the item(s), MAKE SURE IT IS IN WRITING WITHIN THE LEASE, AND HAS A DATE THAT THE REPAIR MUST BE COMPLETED BY.

If there are other tenants at the property, ask them how the Landlord has reacted when repairs needed to be done. They will give you an honest assessment.  Their answer does not affect them personally.

The Lease. Read that lease thoroughly and entirely. If you are not clear on any part of it, contact an attorney to review it for you. It is a legal contract. Look specifically for the repair clause, and what specific remedies are in place, if any. There may even be a deductible on repairs that you will have to pay,  even if the issue has nothing to do with your misuse or neglect.

There should also  be a section in the lease  that refers to quiet enjoyment, and functionality of the apartment or dwelling,  and if not rectified within a reasonable amount of time, that the lease can be canceled without penalty.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Issues involving safety should be reported to the local health department.

Remember , this is a legally binding agreement, and that goes for both parties. The law tends to favor tenants over Landlords in these kinds of matters.

And a note From Judy: If you have a question about renting a home or apartment  in Fairfield County, and are in need of an Realtor to represent you, I invite you to contact me, and if you have an idea for a topic that you would like to see on The CT Realty Blog, please include it in the "Post a Comment" section link below this post. We appreciate the feedback and look forward to providing you with the best real estate content, advice and service in Fairfield County, Connecticut.