Anyone Providing Child Care from a Rental Home in CA?

[MarinaVanessa]

I would have been upfront before the application, stating how you will take excellent care of everything etc. and from frequent walk thru's they could see that. We've had mostly great tenants, and most have stayed long term. If the home was well taken care of we didn't raise rent and put in new stairs for one lady who had knee surgery. One the other hand one tenant was a lawyer we got out in 6 months.

Again my main point is you don't want to live in someone else's home who doesn't want you to be there.

With all due respect, unfortunately I have heard story after story about how providers have notified potential landlords of their intent and the landlords have found one reason or another not to rent. I know a provider who applied and was approved to 8 different rental homes (because of her previous rental history and credit rating) but as soon as she notified of them of her intent (before signing the contract) they found reasons to rent to someone else. The 9th time she did not disclose the information and was approved then signed the lease and then she told the landlord. Yes the landlord was peeved but she explained the situation and her dilemma. The point is that no one would give her the chance to prove that she could still be a good tenant and she did everything right ... had a great contract which included property damage and noise etc, and she had referral letters from her previous landlords. It didn't matter, no one else would give her a chance.

[Little Learners]

Little Learners,

Thank you for your perspective! I agree that it is very important for a tenant to have a good relationship with the landlord. If it's alright with you, I would very much like to better understand your side of the coin now.

First of all, do you have properties in California?



Conversely, I as a tenant wouldn't do anything less than a 3 year lease, because I don't want to move every year.



Please, clarify. What exactly is the difference here?


Well, we told our previous landlord, but just a few weeks after we had moved in, they changed their mind.



So here is my main question. As a landlord, why wouldn't you want a small family child care provider as your tenant?

Thank you for your time! I am looking forward to your answers.

If the property is daycare friendly, no pool, no zoning.. city issues... and the house was going to be well taken care of then I wouldn't be opposed to it. Doesn't matter what part of the country, if someone "told" me they were going to run a business I would have a problem. Now if they want to tell me what they'd like to do, and how it would work and my feelings on that....that's another matter. Most people are very open, once you've been upfront.

We could negotiate if there was more then "normal wear and tear", then they could pay to replace the carpet/tile what have you. That is more then fair and may not even be needed. Someone posted one here that, they wouldn't make that offer...seriously and expecting a 3 year lease with a home business.. Very telling imo.

You may take excellent care of the property, but they only have your word in the beginning. I think it's wiser to do a year lease, and when the landlord see's the daycare doesn't impact the home or neighborhood, then you can renew for much longer. I'd rather have tenants stay long term, and most of ours have been there on average 3-4 years. I'm on a landlord forum, and many from CA and almost everyone says the same thing, they will go through hoops to keep a great tenant.

How many times have I heard, "we'll take good care of the property"? They all say that. So do a year lease, and once you demonstrate you are responsible it won't be a problem imo.

I thought I was pretty clear, work it out in the beginning before you sign and move in. Make sure it's in the lease and approved regardless of CA law. So what if in 3 years you were a great tenant, but the landlord is still steamed that they were "forced" to keep you because you quoted them the law. Your business is going well, you love the home, and they boot you out. Then you are back to shampoo, rinse, repeat..not fun.

Finally, not everyone is going to agree with my statements, BUT this is how most landlords feel. We can quote all the laws we want, go on the Fair Housing Forum etc. but I'm being honest in how it really works.

[Little Learners]

With all due respect, unfortunately I have heard story after story about how providers have notified potential landlords of their intent and the landlords have found one reason or another not to rent. I know a provider who applied and was approved to 8 different rental homes (because of her previous rental history and credit rating) but as soon as she notified of them of her intent (before signing the contract) they found reasons to rent to someone else. The 9th time she did not disclose the information and was approved then signed the lease and then she told the landlord. Yes the landlord was peeved but she explained the situation and her dilemma. The point is that no one would give her the chance to prove that she could still be a good tenant and she did everything right ... had a great contract which included property damage and noise etc, and she had referral letters from her previous landlords. It didn't matter, no one else would give her a chance.

No offense at all, and it's hard to believe she couldn't find one especially since she had previous landlords stating how responsible she was.

I can't answer that, except maybe they didn't consult their lawyer and check into the liability and insurance aspect. Or maybe they did...

Hopefully it all works out.

[Sergio]

Little Learners,

Unfortunately, not everybody is like you. Perhaps, a good compromise would be, if a landlord explicitly stated in their ad whether they are OK with tenants providing child care or not.