All Forum Posts by: Kathleen Leary

I always check with my tenants & let them know what's going on - usually, they're so glad things are getting fixed "in a timely fashion," they don't care when it happens. If I possibly can, I try to be there when the repairs are done, but I have (keep in mind, this is a SMALL town!) left a key with the repair guys ahead of time. And of course, I double-check with tenants to be sure there's as little disruption to their schedule as possible, then confirm with the repairmen. (Yes, they're all men!)

I have great tenants AND great service guys, so my situation may be completely unrealistic for some folks, I know!

Combined, although I had to evict a remaining tenant when the boyfriend bailed & she couldn't pay on her own. That's not an uncommon situation.

My understanding (NOT legal advice!) is that you cannot restrict tenants' access to these types of services (phone, internet, TV) but you CAN stipulate nothing be attached to the structure. More & more people have dishes installed on a pole in the yard; that seems fair to me. My tenants have broadband access & cell phones, so the whole dish & exterior cable issue seems to be passé at this point.

And yes, I've pulled MILES of unused cables off house exteriors; each installer adds to what's been put there before. Dishes go to the scrap yard. I've seen 5-6 dishes on one house, actually. If you're limited to using a dish, I'd certainly consider taking everything else off other than what's currently in use. My own thought is that they look kinda trashy.

As a large proportion of the SFRs around here were built prior to WW1, lead paint is expected. 

Even if it's been removed/remediated, you still have to provide the brochure due to the age of the house.

I've never had a problem; my tenants (adults) know better than to chew the woodwork. I tell them where I know it's present (in the attic crawlspace, behind baseboards, etc.); there are prohibitions in their lease regarding access to those areas.

For future consideration: If you even suspect foundation issues, you'll need to really pin down your numbers BEFORE you commit to anything. If you're dead set on buying the property, get a contractor experienced in foundation repair (not just an inspector) to assess/bid on it. Their bid alone may change your mind! 

There's a house in this town that is completely off the foundation on one side. (I've checked it out!)  In the last two years, it's sold twice. No work done - back on the market a third time. I ran the numbers - it's not even worth tearing down!

I honestly wonder if these people have eyes to see with. Obviously they have more money than sense. Looks like you dodged that bullet - good luck!

My leases stipulate that tenants are not allowed in the crawlspace under the house (no shut-offs, anyway), under the porch (lead paint) or in the upper crawl space (why? It's hot & itchy up there!). So that's taken care of - they have no business in those places. Spell it out in writing!

But if there's any utility shut-off, electrical panel access, etc. I want them to be able to get to it in an emergency. One of my units has a neighbor to whom I have given a curb key to turn off water at the meter, if necessary. And yes, once we needed it & it saved hundreds of gallons of water from turning the crawl space into a swimming pool.

You'd be amazed (& terrified!) how many landlords manage their properties just like that. Maybe worse. 

It's possible 99% are in this town, but I doubt it.

I can do laminate MYSELF (& I'm super-slow!) faster than that.

My personal take is that although a beer is pretty nice after work, it's not appropriate to drink it on the jobsite. EVER. Are you paying them to drink? I think not. Apparently they don't have enough smarts to even take their empties with them!

If not fire them outright, I'd never use them again & make sure everybody in town knew why.

Damn! I'd love to have some of that stuff, but it's a little far to drive. ^_^

If you don't find a taker, Habitat ReStore is always a good resource to donate or purchase.

If they are good tenants & pay their rent & don't trash the place, maybe as a "Thank you for being good tenants" gift, you could consider it AFTER THEIR CURRENT LEASE TERM IS UP.

I wouldn't put in a disposal, though. Maybe a smart thermostat or something.

Do not let tenants dictate your upgrades - they sound like a PIA, honestly.