Some of the units require renovations and I’m just trying to figure out the most cost effective way to do this without putting a huge hole in my pockets.

Hello, Can someone please give me recommendations for a good Houston area contractor who can help repair fire damage?

Quote from @Lakita Woodson: As landlords, you may eventually encounter a tenant who seems to damage something every month right after paying rent.

Which strategies have proven most effective for beginners?

Did you provide itemized list of damages.

This way if there’s physical damage by residents the company pays the first $500 to fix it.

I’m working on getting my first doors under management and would love to hear from others about what worked best for them in the early days. Was it networking, direct outreach, referrals, or something else entirely?

Umbrella insurance which is an extension of your General Liability coverage will defend and cover any damages so long as the triggering event is not an exclusion in coverage (gross negligence (sometimes mere negligence), willful misconduct, fraud/misrepresentation, illegal use are common exclusions in property GL policies. 

These types of infestations will have a direct effect on the value of your property and the way it performs, so continue to take preventative action.Once lease renewals come up, I'd just non renew the tenants that you think are responsible. 

Collect the required notice, process their move-out payment (whatever you decide is fair), and immediately market the property effectively to find a high-quality replacement.3.