Roomplug thanks Erica Malouf for her kind work and material!

Roomplug wishes our team and all of our members a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving! We are truly bless to have a great international team, and we are continuing to improve on our services to give our customers the best online renting platform!

Here’s a short video of our software development ninja, Dirk trying to learn how to surf in San Clemente. We think he didn’t fair too well, but he tried and started to stand on the board like 3 times. Nice Dirk! Well if surfing doesn’t work out at least he could fall back and be our Ninja Developer anytime.

-Team Roomplug

We like to welcome our 2 new engineers, Dirk & Lars, to our growing team. They came from the Netherlands and bring an enthusiastic energy to our already vibrant team. They both love soccer and willing to challenge us here in the States. Dirk mentioned, “I’ll beat you guys since I was playing futbol at 5 years old.” Our founder Rodney is always up for a challenge and willing to take him on. Our bets goes out the gentlemen from the Netherlands, since Rodney only skills at soccer, or futbol (in their country), is playing it on his PS3.

Don’t sprain an ankle Rodney when you get cross over by Dirk?

Anyhow, welcome Dirk & Lars!

Team Roomplug.

We welcome Yang Wang, our first intern, from Carnegie Mellon University. She arrived yesterday from Pittsburgh, PA to John Wayne Airport here in Southern California. We are excited to have her on board as part of our growing team. She gets to work with an enthusiast technical entrepreneur in Rodney and business budding mentor in Sri. Plus, the beautiful San Clemente beach, warm mid-70 sunny weather, and cool coastal breeze does not hurt either. We must plan a day to work at the beach.

Anyhow, we are continuing to grow our team and grateful to have Yang on board. If you love the technical challenges and enjoy the vibrant energy of working in a start-up, please hit us up!

This is my 1st Vlog of Roomplug in which I hope you follow our start-up from garage phase to actually launch. I’m excited because I spent a great week working with Sri Kanajan to go over technical and business details. I meet Sri on micromentor.org after reading Entrepreneur magazine. We have complimentary skill sets both from our technical background and as owner of rental properties.

Here is a short video of me explaining our apply button to help homeowners, landlords, or property managers in accepting rental application to screen out bad tenants from good tenants. Then, there will be days where I head down to the beach from Sri’s place to enjoy the local amenities.

On one day, I was caught in a rip tide and a cute life guard on her four wheelers was staring from the sand with a red buoy in hand. I knew I was in trouble when she was hovering near shore, but I managed to swim parallel to the beach and gain footing as I walk towards her. Excitedly she said, “That’s how you do it, Great Job!” Then, slap me a hi-5! I should somehow panic and let her come rescue me as in Baywatch. Anyhow, that would been a different story.

Well, giving that I haven’t learn to surf all these years living in Southern California, this is another challenge and goal for me as with Roomplug. I will invest in a surf board, a wet suit, and teach myself how to do it. Unless, we have some talented interns to teach me. Check out our job opportunities.

Since, it’ll be gratifying to reach a certain milestone and accomplish another objective, I’m truly bless to work on a project I’m passionate about, submerge myself around a great environment, and be surrounded with awesome people, where we can all work, have fun, and learn to grow as a startup. This is my goal for Roomplug!

“Life’s a Beach!”
Rodney.

As of midnight of last night, Roomplug is flying under the radar in pursuit to reach our projected goals in making our site the best roommate matching and rental service online. We may be in this stage as we venture to seek funding. We believe our next release will be a lot more exciting as it will deliver our vision to benefit our members and streamline the rental process.

We hope you follow us and track our progress as a start-up to launch phase. Thanks to those who have supported us along the way! We promise to give you a better platform and overall rental experience.

I’ve noticed recently my roommates were paying rent late for the past several months. Including, the fact I post notices on my white board addressing the cost of utilities on a monthly basis. They were drawing on 3 to 4 months past due on the utilities as well. Although, I kept account on my books of all rent payments and utilities, I wasn’t aware of the problem until a new roommate, Jamie, who moved in and pointed it out. She said, “It’s not fair you cover both of those guys for this long.” In which, she was right! I noticed the utilities were $700-$800 past due between the other 2 roommates. It was like a slap in the face that shook me up.

Although, it’s easy to blame the tenants for their lack of efforts and energy to cover their basis, but it seemed the problem stem from me. I could go on and make excuses for their poor performance at work or a slow winter that affected their income, but I blame myself for allowing the late payment trend to continue. What I realized, “I was soft and lenient.”

To get out of the funk, I had a one-on-one discussion between the 2 offenders. I first sat down with John and said, “Hey brotha, after looking at my books and based on your past several months, you had been late with rent payments and utils. So, starting next month I must be firm with you that if rent payment is late, you must include late fees on top of the rent.” He understood. I continue, “I realize this been going on too far, and I’m partly to blame for allowing this to happen, but you got to understand where I’m coming from. if not? Then I must make drastic change.” I knew he had a new job line up, and he reassured me this trend won’t continue.

Later, I met with Kennedy, known as K-dogg or K-dizzle around the house, and disclosed the same sentiment I had with John, and he quickly understood. Both guys agreed to what has been address which also stipulated on the lease contract they signed years ago.

The lessons I take away from this as with the old cliche, “If you give them an inch, they take a yard.” I balance a thin line being a landlord and a friend. It is difficult wearing both hats, but you must be firm and police those rules from your lease agreement. Because if you don’t, you’ll become a doormat as your tenants will take advantage of your kindness.

Tell me what is your take, and if you want to share your story or a similar situation?

Rodney
CEO & Founder

2. Ask for a larger security deposit and a co-signer.

You may ask for a larger security deposit since the renter may have bad credit. A story may be compelling and you are compassionate, however, don’t forget it is your property. Remember, the burden you must endure if the renter does not come through with their end of the bargain. So require them to fork over a larger security deposit. This not only shows you their commitment in paying rent on time but offer you peace of mind. Plus, people tend to care more with a larger amount invested than those that don’t. If anything else, you may also ask them to have a co signer with excellent credit to vouch for them.

3. A solid well-paying job is good as credit.

What if the renter recently file a bankruptcy but have a solid job that pays well? You could ask them to provide proof of employment and history pay stubs. Make sure to call their employer to verify the fact that they still work there. Also, double check with them of recent lay-offs or pending one and evaluate what they make from their job is enough to cover their rent payments along with other misc bills.

Well, we HOPE you achieve success in running your FOR RENT business.

Please give us your take on this?

Roomplug.com