All Forum Posts by: Shawn M.

Prune limbs away from the building, patch the holes, release the squirrels no closer than a few miles from your property. A patch with the correct, matching materials is best. Your local real estate statutes or landlord tenant handbook should clarify your responsibilities, but removing wildlife from the inside of the building is not an unreasonable request, and squirrels will do plenty of damage to wiring and other building components. The grand prize for deferring this maintenance is to have to open up a wall or ceiling to remove a dead one.

Have you tested the outlets on that circuit with an outlet tester or branch circuit analyzer?

Fine Homebuilding did a story in their November 2013 issue comparing the pros and cons of several brands of chemical paint strippers. If the house is 90 years old, there's a 90% chance of the presence of lead paint. As Steve Babiak mentioned, you should familiarize yourself with RRP regulations and use the appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment).

Per BTU, electricity is just about the most expensive heating fuel you can buy, but a lot depends on the space being heated, and how the occupant uses the heating equipment. Eia.gov and other similar sites have useful fuel comparison charts.

Also, try to verify and document any lease violations before taking action. Complaints from one tenant against another are not always reliable.

Potable water line cans and will freeze if they're located in an areas that do not have sufficient heat, or do have sufficient infiltration of cold air. It is practically impossible for heating pipes to freeze so long as the boiler is firing and the circulator running. Typically these systems are heating water to 180 degrees F on the supply side, with a return temperature of 160. In very cold weather the return temperature might drop to 150, but it will stay well above freezing. Antifreeze can be added to the water but it isn't necessary for this appliaction; that's more appropriate if you're heating a concrete slab such as a garage floor or driveway.

Is this copper tubing in a forced hot water system that failed? Do you the damaged section, or at least photos of it? Assuming you have a clause in your lease requiring the tenant to maintain adequate heat in the apartment (usually 50 degrees F), and that the lease also states she/he is responsible for any damages resulting from failure to do so, to collect reimbursement you still might need documentation showing that the pipe burst due to freezing, and that it wasn't an improperly soldered fitting that failed on the day she notified you.

Double check with a real estate attorney or broker that you can legally accept first, last, and security. Some jurisdictions prohibit landlords from holding more than the equivalent of month's rent for security deposit.