Expenses of repairs/upgrades between tenants

[Malik R.]

I have a rental property in a different state. How do you treat maintenance/upgrade work done between tenants? My tenant of 5 years has just vacated and there is much work involved such as:

1- Replacing carpets

2- Painting the interiors

3- Replacing locks with Landlord Locks

4- Replacing water heater that is 15+ years old.

5- Landscape (removing/trimming trees) etc.

6- Fixing light fixture

7- Repair broken windows, install missing screens

Secondly, I have a management company that is not very efficient in scheduling and arranging these repairs. If I send a family member to travel there to manage the above repairs, can I expense their travel & car rental costs? This is the only purpose of their travel.

[Patti Robertson]

Wouldn't it be easier/cheaper to 1) hire a local contractor or 2) hire a competent PM?