All Forum Posts by: Corey Goldstein

We talk a lot about the numbers—cash flow, appreciation, and ROI. But sometimes, the biggest impact on your portfolio comes from the less glamorous parts of the business, like maintenance. It's easy to see it as just another expense, but what if it was a key to increasing your revenue and property value?

Here are three ways professional, proactive maintenance can make a real difference:

1. It Reduces Turnover (and the Cost That Comes With It): A well-maintained property is a happy tenant's home. When a tenant knows their requests will be handled professionally and promptly, they are far more likely to renew their lease. Every time you lose a tenant, you face costs for marketing, screening, and vacancy—all of which eat into your profit. Proactive maintenance keeps those costs at bay.
2. It Protects and Increases Your Property Value: Think of a leaky faucet. Left unchecked, it can lead to water damage, mold, and a costly repair. Our proactive approach catches these small issues before they become major liabilities. This not only preserves the value of your asset but can also allow you to command higher rents in the long run.
3. It Frees Up Your Mental Capital: Your time and energy are your most valuable assets. Constantly fielding maintenance calls, chasing down contractors, and worrying about your properties is a job in itself. By handing off maintenance to a professional team, you free up your mental bandwidth to focus on what really matters: finding your next deal, growing your portfolio, and enjoying life.

For us, professional maintenance isn't just about fixing things; it's about optimizing your investment for long-term success. It's a strategic move that saves you money, time, and stress.

I've been scrolling through a Reddit thread asking property managers about the "small, weird rules" they've added to their leases, and one response was a goldmine.

It's a simple, but often overlooked, clause: “Operating any business on the premises is prohibited.”

This might sound obvious, but this landlord's reasoning was spot on. A tenant's "side hustle" can quickly turn into a full-scale operation that negatively impacts your investment. Think about it:

• A "yard sale" that runs all year
• A car repair shop in the driveway
• An in-home daycare
• An Airbnb rental

These operations can lead to increased vehicle traffic, parking issues, noise complaints, and potential liability problems that you, the owner, are ultimately responsible for. They can also violate local zoning laws without you even knowing.

This one simple rule protects your property and your peace of mind. It’s a proactive step that clarifies what is and isn't acceptable and helps you avoid awkward conversations and potential headaches down the road.

I've already updated my leases to include specific language that prohibits any business use that impacts the property or the community.

So, here's my question to the BiggerPockets community: What's the weirdest business or side hustle a tenant has tried to run out of one of your rentals? And what's your go-to lease clause to prevent it?

 Hi Theresa, the agent didn´t show the person the exact same unit it would be renting, the person did not know that. You can read the original post here on Reddit

Hi there. The original post talks about how the person got lied about the possibility of installing fans in the unit. You can read it for yourself Reddit comment

I was browsing a renter's forum recently, and I came across a thread that should be a huge red flag for all of us. The topic was "what surprised you most about renting?"

A common theme? The "bait and switch."

One person described how a rental agent lied about the amenities of an apartment—specifically, the presence of ceiling fans—just to secure the lease. The tenant moved in, found the lie, and a difficult situation ensued.

While the agent might have been the one at fault, the landlord is the one who ultimately pays the price. This kind of dishonesty can lead to:

• High Turnover: An unhappy tenant will not renew their lease.
• Disputes & Legal Headaches: A tenant might break the lease, demand concessions, or even sue, all because the property wasn't as advertised.
• Damaged Reputation: In today's market, online reviews can make or break a rental business.

This serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of due diligence in your own operations. As landlords, we have to protect our assets by ensuring our marketing and communication are 100% accurate.

What's your process for making sure your property listings and on-site agents are completely truthful and transparent?

I've been browsing some renter forums lately, and a fascinating trend emerged. When asked about their most unexpected problems, many renters didn't mention burst pipes or bad neighbors. The number one issue that caught them off guard? Losing their security deposit due to pre-existing damages.

This is a critical lesson for both new and experienced landlords. While we may have our own processes, it’s a powerful reminder of how important meticulous documentation is for everyone involved.

The thread was full of stories about tenants being charged for dings and scuffs that were already there. The most successful renters in these situations were the ones who had their own evidence.

Their winning strategy was simple:

- A "Photo Walkthrough": Take detailed photos and videos of the entire property before the tenant moves in, making sure to capture the condition of every wall, floor, and appliance. Do the same when they move out.

- The Power of Paper: Make sure a signed, detailed move-in checklist is part of your lease agreement. It protects both you and the tenant.

As landlords and investors, this isn't just about avoiding a legal headache. It's about building a reputation for being fair and transparent. When you have a solid, well-documented system in place, you protect your business and build trust with your tenants, which can lead to longer lease terms and a better tenant experience overall.

What kind of documentation do you use to protect your properties and your tenants? Share your best tips!

Look, managing property isn’t rocket science, but it is a business. And like any business, if you ignore the fundamentals, you’ll get burned. I’ve seen smart owners lose tens of thousands because of poor management decisions, or worse, blind trust in third-party operators who don’t know (or care) how to protect the asset.

Here are the biggest property management blunders I see eating owners alive:

1. Lack of Oversight

Trust is great. But blind trust? That’s a liability. If you’re not reviewing reports, walking your property, or holding your manager accountable, you might as well throw money out the window.

2. Bad Tenants In, Good Tenants Out

Sloppy screening leads to evictions. And when your good tenants don’t get responses, don’t feel safe, or see maintenance being ignored? They’re gone. Vacancy costs you way more than a phone call.

3. Deferred Maintenance

If you’re putting off repairs to “save money,” you’re not saving—you’re bleeding. Small issues become capital expenses fast. Preventive maintenance is your cheapest insurance.

4. Zero Systems or Processes

Your property can’t run on vibes. If rent collection, lease renewals, move-outs, and maintenance requests don’t run like clockwork, you’ve got a management problem, not a tenant problem.

5. Poor Communication

Whether it’s ghosting tenants or not responding to ownership questions, silence kills trust. A tenant who feels ignored becomes a problem. An owner who feels ignored finds a new manager.

6. No Financial Clarity

If you don't know your NOI, occupancy rate, or when leases are expiring, you're not investing, you're gambling. Every dollar in or out needs to be tracked, reported, and understood.

7. High Staff Turnover

New faces every month? That's a red flag. Consistency builds community. High turnover kills it, and it usually means poor leadership or a toxic culture behind the scenes.

8. Legal & Compliance Lapses

You don’t need to be a lawyer, but your team better know landlord-tenant law cold. One wrong move, illegal notice, ADA slip-up, mishandled security deposit, and you're writing a fat check.

9. Letting Reputation Slide

In this review-driven world, your online presence matters. One-star Google and Yelp reviews from frustrated tenants will kill your leasing velocity, and your NOI, faster than you think.

10. Misaligned Incentives

If your management team's goals don't align with yours as the owner (e.g. maximizing NOI, reducing turnover, protecting the asset), you're not partners, you're adversaries.

Bottom line? If you own real estate, your property is a business. You need operators who understand that.

In this business, whether you’re renting out a duplex in Columbia or a room in Rock Hill, one thing stays the same: you need to understand the law—cold.

As someone who’s built my career managing, developing, and investing in property across South Carolina, I’ve seen what happens when landlords guess, tenants overstep, and managers fail to run things by the book. It’s ugly, expensive, and almost always avoidable.

So let’s strip out the legal fluff and get to what matters. Here’s how the South Carolina Landlord-Tenant Act actually plays out in the real world.

For Tenants: Rights AND Responsibilities

Tenants have obligations. Period. Doesn’t matter if you’re renting a luxury loft or a small studio. Here’s what the law expects:

Pay your rent—on time.

Keep the unit clean and safe.

Don’t damage the property or disturb others.

Use appliances and utilities as intended.

Give proper access when requested for inspections or repairs.

Landlords must give 24 hours' notice to enter (except in emergencies), and they’re expected to be reasonable about timing.

Now, if your landlord fails to fix serious issues (leaks, mold, no heat), here’s what you can do:

Give written notice.

Give 14 days to fix it.

If they ignore it, you can break the lease or sue for damages.

What you can’t do: withhold rent or make repairs and deduct the cost—unless you have written permission.

And when your lease ends? You want your deposit back? Give a forwarding address in writing. No address, no check.

For Landlords: Rights Come With Responsibilities too many landlords think the lease gives them a free pass. It doesn’t.

Here’s what SC law says you must do—no matter what the lease says:

Keep the unit safe, clean, and livable.

Maintain HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances—unless the lease clearly shifts that burden.

Provide heat, hot water, and running water (again, unless legally excluded).

Maintain common areas in buildings with 4+ units.

Want to access the unit? Unless it’s an emergency, give 24 hours’ notice and show up at a reasonable time.

End of Lease: Handle Deposits Like a Pro

You have 30 days to return the deposit—or send an itemized breakdown of what you deducted.

If the tenant ghosted? Still try. Keep records. Courts want to see effort.

Evictions in South Carolina: There’s a Process

You can’t just change the locks or dump someone’s stuff at the curb. You need to follow legal steps or risk a lawsuit of your own.

You can evict for:

Nonpayment of Rent: After a 5-day notice (unless waived in the lease).

Lease Violations: Give 14 days to fix. If not, you can file.

Unsafe Conditions Caused by Tenant: Same rule—14 days unless it’s urgent.

Abandonment: No rent or contact for 15+ days? You can legally reclaim the unit.

End of Lease: If they won’t leave, file for possession.

For weekly leases: give 7 days’ notice. Month-to-month? 30 days.

Once the lease is legally ended, you can sue for damages—and if the tenant acted in bad faith, you can go after attorney’s fees too.

Final Take: Manage Smart or Pay Later

Whether you’re a landlord trying to protect your property or a tenant trying to protect your rights—the law is the law.

As a property manager, I’ve seen solid owners lose big just because they didn’t understand their responsibilities. I’ve also seen tenants get taken advantage of by landlords who didn’t think the rules applied to them.

Smart property management isn’t about being aggressive or soft—it’s about being legal, consistent, and fair.

When Bethany Strout first reached out, she was overwhelmed, afraid, and confused. She’d been hit with an eviction notice, and while trying to resolve that issue, her landlord served yet another lawsuit, this time demanding $3,370 in unpaid rent and court costs. As someone relying solely on SSI due to Autism, Bethany was understandably panicked that this debt could jeopardize her benefits or her future housing prospects.

Let me be clear, situations like this are exactly why ethical property management matters. Bethany was paying $300 per month for nothing more than a basic 10-by-15-foot room, without special amenities. When she struggled to pay rent, the Richland/Lexington Special Needs Board stepped in to help. Unfortunately, instead of stabilizing Bethany's housing, her landlord saw an opportunity. The rent suddenly jumped from $300 to $650, communicated verbally and without proper notice directly to Bethany’s case manager. Then, realizing taxes reduced her profit, the landlord increased the demand yet again, to $725 per month.

The Special Needs Board paid an astounding $4,000 before finally refusing to continue under these fluctuating, unreasonable demands.

When we finally went to court, Bethany’s case manager detailed the situation, including the landlord’s threats of sending Bethany to a homeless shelter if payments weren’t made. We demonstrated clearly that there had never been proper written notice for the rent increase, and that this outrageous jump in rent, from $300 to $725, was predatory, unethical, and clearly intended to intimidate Bethany.

We further showed the court that, had the rent remained at $300 per month, Bethany would have been current through April 2020 thanks to the payments from the Special Needs Board. We emphasized that the landlord knew Bethany was judgment-proof because of her reliance on SSI, and this lawsuit was purely intended to harass and prevent her from securing public housing in the future.

The judge dismissed the landlord’s case entirely, ruling that Bethany owed absolutely nothing!

This case exemplifies why compassionate, ethical, and fair property management is not just important, it’s essential.

I’ve been in this business a long time, as an investor, developer, and property manager, and let me tell you: what just happened in South Carolina is exactly what I warn clients about. When property management is sloppy, it’s not just a hassle, it’s a liability.

If you’re tired of watching management companies ignore tenants, skip maintenance, and drag down your cash flow, I get it. And I’m here to tell you: it doesn’t have to be that way.

Great management isn’t a luxury. It’s the foundation of asset protection. That means clear communication, trained staff, operational systems, and tenant relationships that actually work. This is how we avoid lawsuits, keep units full, and make sure your NOI keeps climbing.

And if you own property in South Carolina, listen up: state law lays out specific duties for both landlords and tenants, whether they’re written in your lease or not.

Here’s what you’re on the hook for:

• Maintain the property to health and safety standards
• Make timely repairs
• Keep all systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical) in working order
• Keep common areas clean and safe
• Provide running water, hot water, and heat (unless the lease legally shifts that burden)

You can’t just assume your lease protects you. You have to know the law and run your operation accordingly. Tenants have rights, but so do you. That includes:

• The right to enter for repairs, inspections, or emergencies
• The ability to deduct damages or unpaid rent from security deposits
• The power to recover damages or attorney’s fees for lease violations
• The right to dispose of abandoned property (under $500) after proper notice
• The ability to enforce rules, as long as they’re fair, consistent, and clearly communicated

When it comes to eviction, South Carolina courts take rent disputes seriously. If a tenant fights the amount owed, the court will hold a hearing. If they appeal, they have to keep paying rent through the process. Know the rules, and you can protect yourself without getting burned.

The bottom line is this: you need a management team that doesn’t drop the ball. One that respects your tenants, protects your asset, and knows how to operate legally, efficiently, and profitably.