Tenant property in public areas

[Michael Ebeling]

Last year I bought a 4 unit, 2 story purpose built apartment. I use a property management company but I also stop monthly to check on things. The place has been clean and quiet until a new tenant moved in last month. She proceeded to fill the entire common entry space with decor, message boards, side tables etc. She put a shelf out front with plants and other items. Also on the backside of the property, she put a junky chair and table with a smoke bucket and dog tie out. It's made the whole property look trashy and I'm trying to find the best way to direct my property manager to resolve this. Has anyone dealt with something similar and how do you approach it. Thanks

[Theresa Harris]

Simply tell her that she is not to use the common area for her own personal space, so she needs to remove any of her items from that area.  The PM can handle it and if she doesn't clean up, then post a notice that things will be removed in 48 hours, start removing items and putting them in the garbage/donating them to a charity.