All Forum Posts by: Arthur Banks

Thanks.

In addition I was asking @David C. if he eliminates the spigot how does he maintain the yard.

@Bill Gulley Nope. Did you miss me asking how would you monitor (ensure) the winterizing is done if you had 100's (or even 10, 30, 50) units?

I'm asking do you go to each one and make sure it's winterized? Hire someone? Send an email/letter to the tenant and hope they comply?

@Bill Gulley I guess I wasn't very clear. I was referring to how does one monitor that many units to ensure tenants aren't leaving the hose connected in the winter. Frozen/busted pipes more than likely won't be covered by a sec. dep.

@Bill Gulley That's perfectly doable with a few units. What about with several 100?

@David C. I don't know if it's common best practice or not, but that is a good point. But that leads me to the question of what to do about watering of grass and landscaping?

On second thought... there's this really fancy building here in Chicago that has the name TRUMP all over the place. I guess there is no hiding who the owner is. In fact the owner seems to WANT you to know who the owner is. If it works for him... :)

I'm interested in hearing what others are saying today on this often discussed topic. Rather than have anyone ask if I'm the owner, I think I would introduce myself as the manager upfront. "Hi, welcome. My name is Arthur, I'm the manager..." This way I won't be put in the position to have to disclose. If they ask directly, then I would be honest. JBH.

Do any of you landlords allow car washing (tenants responsible for all utilities) and minor car maintenance on your properties? I'm under contract for a 2 flat in which I am having the plumbing redone (stolen copper pipes) and planning to make sure the front and back spigot are plumbed one for each unit. Which lead me to thinking of summer and car washing. Which led to car maintenance. Do you allow car washing? Minor car maintenance? I don't think I want to allow maintenance, especially fluid changes. Car washing I don't think I see a problem with. But wanted some insight into what others are doing.

I'll test the market first. Good point.