All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

 How do you decide which tenant complaint is valid and which is "bs"?  Do you have some consistent standard that is in your well-crafted lease?  Is it written such that your tenants can clearly understand it? Or is it only based on your desire to not have your "life interrupted" by your customers?  

I agree that no tenant is entitled to a ceiling fan. But if one was in place when they rented the unit (which was the case with the OP) then they are entitled to have it in good working order.  I would argue that such a fan should not squeak and that squeaking is an indication that something is wrong.  

I imagine that were the ceiling fan in your bedroom squeaky, you'd want it addressed.  I don't know about courts but I think treating others as you'd like to be treated is always good and even makes good business sense.  

@Guylaine Dore This site seems to cover the subject well:  http://www.alwirerepair.com

I think it's enough of a potential safety hazard to warrant total replacement, if you can e.g. you're remodeling, etc. The second best solution seems to be ensuring that the proper compatible components are installed (receptacles, switches, etc). 

It sounds as if you've already consulted with an electrician; I'd follow their recommendations.

@Danielle Davis I'm sure there are several good local realtors on this site but two that I know and recommend are @Dawn Brenengen and @Michael Jobe.  I'm sure that either one will be able to help you.  Good luck!

In general, I don't think one has to (or even should) treat for termites every year but a yearly inspection by a termite company is prudent (especially if your house is on a slab).  

I don't perform "routine maintenance " per se.  I find it best to thoroughly go through the house at turnover and fix everything while the house is empty. That seems to avoid a lot of calls.  After that, I inspect once a year.  

Since they live there, tenants are really a good source of information about the condition of things and I always encourage them to alert me of any problem.  On more than one occasion, that has saved me. I had one tenant tell me that the water pressure was much stronger than it had been.  It turned out that the pressure reducing valve for the house was broken and it might well have caused major damage to the plumbing and the house if they hadn't noticed and alerted me.

 Congratulations but why would they buy with no inspection?!

What a mess?!  I'm sorry that happened to you but it'll all get fixed.  Good luck with it!

 I don't understand.  You're concerned about looking like a "pushover" yet you seem unconcerned about looking like a cheapskate landlord.  Your tenants are your valued customers, without whom you've have an empty house.  Why not start treating them as such?!  Why poison the relationship?  It's your house: if something is wrong, fix it.  

@Ryan Pemberton I, too, enjoy seeing before/after pics of people's projects. These look nice; I'll look forward to seeing your interior pics!

@Jason Maestas Why not?  If you say, "no" she will have to move and how does that help you?

@Travis Osborn Just do the soft-close. Is it really such an extra expense?  Make the house as nice as you possibly can. I'm not talking about 'over-building' for the comps in the area; I'm talking about having a generous attitude towards your buyers, as opposed to having a penny-pinching attitude.  That attitude  will color the look and feel of your finished product.  It will also allow you to command top dollar when you sell and will set your reputation as a producer of quality homes. Good luck with your project!