this is why I collect rent in person...
went to pick up rent early in the month. I did my normal inspection of the house, including an inspection of the basement. As soon as I opened the basement door I smelled something unusual. Turns out the PVC on the direct vent water heater had come lose and the unit was venting into the basement! I quickly fixed it. If I had not picked up the rent in person and done my inspection, I could have taken a HUGE HIT if someone had died or got sick. Does your property manager care about your rental as much as you do? Do you have the renters mail in the rent? Hopefully this story makes you think a little.
-Rich