All Forum Posts by: Julie Thevenow

Shaw vinyl plank

it's been my experience that tenants won't mow or take care of the yard like you would. It's not worth the hassle of checking up on the yard to see if it's been mowed, then issuing the notice to mow, following up on that. Just find someone to mow and increase the rent accordingly. The months that don't require mowing, that's extra money in your pocket. 

I always install blinds. I've recently gone to the 2" vinyl wood look blinds. They seem like they will holdup better them the cheap ones. Plus I think they look classier. 

Also I install double curtain rods throughout house. Gail is right, if you don't they will use anything they can to hang curtains/sheets/ blankets etc....and the sheets will be cartoon or big  marijuana leaves that they will never take down. I get my curtains from the dollar store, family dollar or fb buy, sale, trade. I will stock pile when they have 50% off sales. I tell them at move in they are more than welcome to change to curtains of their taste, but I need mine back. Will some tenants steal them? Yep write it into your rental agreement that the cost to replace curtains will be taken out of their deposit.

same apartment 

I used sw Skyline Steel for the walls and felted wool for the trim and floors. Same color scheme throughout the entire apartment. It think it would go with any decor the tenant has. I've been using a gray with contrasting grey trim in all of my rentals. Most comment that they love the color and they are glad it's not beige or white. 

Of course you will always have one that wants to paint. Don't let them paint. 

What are you putting back down 

I've gradually been switching mine to Landlord Locks at move out. Best thing I've ever done! I love having one master key?

I tape mine to their door, take a pic, then email the pic to me and the tenant. Trying to maintain and time trail. although I've never had a judge ask to see the pics. 

Are the walls drywall or plaster and lath?

Either do it yourself or hire it out to a lawn care company. It's not worth the hassle and headache of having a tenant do it. In my experience lawncare isn't on the top of their  priority list. 

Also from here on out in my single family homes, next vacancy I'm getting a quote for lawncare. I will be increasing the rent to cover it. I've found that renters just won't mow the grass no matter what I have in the contract.  The worst offenders are the ones that say they love to work in the yard. 

I gets frustrating and tiring to drive around checking grass and handing out violation notices.