As I’ve bought more and more rental properties, I’ve l earned that maintenance is a constant problem, everything from mowing the lawns to increasing Heating and Air Conditioning filters needs to be done on a correct basis… The leaseholders can not be depended on to take care of even minimal upkeep.
They don’t rake up leaves, sweep the sidewalks or even keep the stairways clear.
Every time I visit the properties, I find garbage in the lawn, weeds in the gardens and all sorts of stuff piled in the hallways, however i have sent out letters, reminders and warnings about what is permitted. I would hope that the leaseholders would take pride in the property. Instead, I find dog poop, youngsters toys and budweiser cans in the yard. I can’t mow the lawn until I’ve spent half an hour picking up after the leaseholders. I now throw away anything I find. If someone leaves a tricycle or a hibachi grill in the yard, it goes in the trash. If there is pet feces in the lawn, all of the leaseholders incur a fine. It’s severely discouraging. I’ve even tried hiring professionals to help with the maintenance of the plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical systems. I enroll in a program that includes bi-weekly service, when the specialists show up at the property, several of the leaseholders refuse to let them in. I still spend money the same amount whether or not the Heating and Air Conditioning specialist cleans and adjusts the a/cs or not. The same leaseholders who refuse to allow the plumber access to the house to wash the drains and flush the water gas gas furnaces are the ones who call me in the middle of the night because of a dripping faucet.