how small landlords actually win...

[Parris Taylor]

Being a landlord in New York hasn't been passive. Some days you feel like a firefighter. Other days, a therapist. Most of the time, both.

I quickly realized the real money’s in catching the small stuff before it explodes. These things have quietly saved me more than any fancy app or spreadsheet ever did.

the cheapest repair is the one you prevent

A small drip turns into a nightmare fast.

Once, I ignored a slow leak in the basement because it “didn’t look serious.” Three weeks later, I was replacing drywall and calling a plumber on a Sunday.

Now, once a month, I text tenants: “Hey, anything small broken I should know about?”

You’d be amazed what people mention when you ask. Tiny cracks before they become floods. It’s not about saving money. It’s about buying peace of mind.

your utility bill is a free inspection report

Most landlords just autopay and move on.

But that water bill? It’s basically the city sending you a progress report.

If usage jumps, something’s running. Toilet, faucet, whatever. I caught one in a Bronx unit just by noticing a spike. Saved myself a few hundred bucks.

Numbers tell the truth when people don’t.

your lease is your silent business partner

A lease isn’t paperwork. It’s your playbook.

A missing clause is like leaving your front door unlocked.

Add something simple like “Tenant responsible for the first $50 of minor repairs.”

You’d be shocked how that one line changes the tone of your relationship. Suddenly the “lightbulb’s out” texts disappear. The good tenants get it. They respect structure.

vendors respect discipline, not loyalty

I used to call the same plumber every time. Thought I was being loyal. Turns out I was just being predictable.

Got three quotes one day and the prices were all over the place. Even my regular guy came back with a “discount” once he realized I was looking.

People respect what you inspect. Loyalty’s nice, but accountability’s cheaper.

Let me know what's working / not working! Would love to hear other stories!