This deal contains four hidden elements that, depending on whether you are aware of them before closing, could either save you thousands of dollars or cost you thousands.

A rental property is just a container.

In summary, the May 16, 2024 loan note, sent directly from Stuart Fox to a potential investor, contains no security (collateral), making Mr.

The information contained in this post is not to be relied upon.

It draws heavily on the Port of Mobile, with executives there estimating that it will be bringing about 50,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) of containers traffic now that it’s operational.

The information contained in this post is not to be relied upon.

My main plan was to build a shipping container glamp site in Williams, AZ.

That is not unusual.However, here is where it becomes problematic:If the PM had a separate agreement with the tenant that you were not a party to, and that agreement benefited the PM personally, that is different.A PM cannot create side revenue arrangements with your tenant and then self-pay from the security deposit unless:• The management agreement authorizes it• The lease supports it• The charge is legitimate and properly itemizedOtherwise, that is a fiduciary issue.Now let’s talk structure.Most PM agreements say something like:“Manager may deduct unpaid rent, fees, vendor invoices, or other tenant obligations from security deposits prior to remitting owner proceeds.”If your agreement contains language like that, what happened is probably within contractual bounds.If it does not, and the PM is effectively paying themselves first before reconciling your owner statement, that is a red flag.The bigger concern in your post is not the $120.It is control.If the PM can:• Enter side agreements• Collect separate charges• Deduct from deposits• And you are not looped inYou have an oversight problem.What I would do immediately:Review your management agreement carefully.Request a full deposit disposition accounting in writing.Ask for the written lawn care agreement between PM and tenant.Confirm whether lawn care was invoiced as a tenant charge on your ledger.The correct order of priority typically is:• Unpaid rent• Lease-based fees• Damages• Other tenant obligationsIf lawn care was a tenant obligation under your lease, deducting it from the deposit is standard.If it was a separate PM revenue stream not tied to your lease, that is not standard.Bottom line:Yes, it is common for PMs to deduct legitimate tenant charges from deposits before remitting owner proceeds.No, it is not appropriate for a PM to use the deposit as a personal collection vehicle for side agreements without clear authority.This situation is less about the $120 and more about whether your PM is operating inside the four corners of your management contract.

It's a different process, but often better margins if you have all your costs contained. 

You definitely need to change PMs if you need to give them an SOP.My lease contains a clause that I get paid whenever they call me for service they are responsible for, like a clogged toilet.