Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: responsibilities of absentee landlords

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

> On Oct 1, 2023, at 12:32 PM, lienjud--- via Cohousing-L <cohousing-l [at] 
> cohousing.org> wrote:
> 
> I am curious what requirements communities have for absentee landlords. I 
> have read here that some communities limit the length of time a unit can be 
> rented out. And outside of that, what provisions do you make? Do they need to 
> stay in touch with the community, attend a plenary session yearly, make a 
> report to the community?

Toward the bottom of this page is the Policy on Leasing Units:

https://takomavillage.org/ResourceCenter/39042~539398/Governing-Documents

I would say the most important thing is that there is another member on site 
who is the contact person for your renters and for you and has the authority to 
take charge when necessary. New residents require orientation; it takes time to 
learn everything. And it takes time to get to know your renters. The person in 
charge has a reason to do that quickly without seeming like a nosey person.

It is much more comfortable for other residents to contact the onsite person in 
charge when they have questions about your unit or your renters. If something 
is wrong then that person can contact you or your renters.

We have had very good experiences with renters but it is comforting to know 
there is “someone home” who knows what is what. I think the most troublesome 
thing a renter has ever done is repeatedly park in the wrong parking space. 
Fortunately, the person in charge was able to stress the importance of not 
using other people’s spaces and had the authority to terminate the lease.

Sharon
----
Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org