'It's not fair' - the landlady hits back

[One]

Wouldn't the insurance payment end up as income in your accounts, in effect? I suspect you'd actually end up paying tax on the payment (ouch!).

If the landlord's accounts quietly didn't mention the insurance payment, then that does sound illegal to me.

[SuperDad]

drelly, if a tennant wilfully smashes a wall in your rental property, you can call the cops, and get rid of them...

Really?

Can you cite an actual case, on the public record, where this has been done?

This would be of huge interest to the property investing community.

Paul.

[CJ]

Wouldn't the insurance payment end up as income in your accounts, in effect? I suspect you'd actually end up paying tax on the payment (ouch!).

If the landlord's accounts quietly didn't mention the insurance payment, then that does sound illegal to me.

A bit late to the part but I agree.

The insurance proceeds are income, the repairs maintenance so the net effect is an expense to the extent of the insurance excess.

[spurner]

I had a case where a tenant smashed a window, and the police were involved - he was charged with willful damage, they asked me for receipts and were to seek reparation from the court (criminal). He had to move out, but I can't recall where the order came from. I never did see any money or order though. And he was probably beating his gf up which was why the police were more interested than usual. I am sure it can be done, but the police just aren't that interested.

Really?

Can you cite an actual case, on the public record, where this has been done?

This would be of huge interest to the property investing community.

Paul.

[egan123]

I owe LLs an apology, I've just being reading a post about a LL chasing an ex tenant for rent arrears $2k. I have completely forgotten that you guys wind up carrying DEBT from errant clients just like I do in construction. For you people, getting paid is no less a business loss as it is for me. I think it is a point lost on the public who see LL's as tax dodging, money hungry property owners. I've only been a member of this forum for a short time, and have, on this very thread made some comments about the original thread. I unreservedly take back my comments and offer a full apology to LLs. In future, I will be making an extra effort to engage brain, before typing. I truly believe the public forget that there's more to running a property portfolio than they realise.

[essence]

Thank you egan123

All us LL's are trying to do is get a fair deal from the Government and understanding from Joe Public, that what we do is a business.

And as a business, we want the same rules that apply to any other business applied to ours. Nothing more, nothing less.

It's kinda hard when we have people like Mary Holm and Bernard Hickey, espousing views that are so totally the opposite from reality it's not funny.

When someone like the "Landlady" comments, who words are misconstrued or twisted, so that it makes a better read.

Sometimes, it's not worth the fight. It's easier to shut up and continue being a LL. When this gets too onerous, LL's leave the market - and everyone loses.

[egan123]

Essence, I think most people just don't realise whats involved in running a property portfolio. When I chase a debt in my industry, I don't have to go through the hoops that LLs do with Tenancy Services, I can elect to pass it to a collector, or small claims or even civil proceedings. I don't first have to go through a regulatory body that tends towards the defendant. So when I read that a LL was chasing a $2k debt it made me realise the difference, hence my appology. Good luck and don't walk away like I tend to from a large invoice that seems non recoverable.
No business should have to cost in, debt recovery.

[Wayne]

Wouldn't the insurance payment end up as income in your accounts, in effect? I suspect you'd actually end up paying tax on the payment (ouch!).

If the landlord's accounts quietly didn't mention the insurance payment, then that does sound illegal to me.

you would pay tax if you got more in compensation from the Insurance than you paid in the repair otherwise you wouldn't. Remember it is all sorted out at the end of the year, not PAYE.

[Wayne]

Having read all this thread many of the comments try to establish a 'worth' to a particular endeavour ie creating software has more worth than providing rental accomodation. Very subjective, both are business endeavours in their own right. As mentioned, when the software developer sells his company for lots of money (think trademe) he won't pay tax on the 'gain'. As to the worth of endeavours each person will have an opinion on the 'value' of a business to society.