Tenants breaking lease

[Sam McCormack]

All my question is, is how do you actually catch your tenant breaking the lease without having to either, drive by the property everyday, or micromanaging your property manager to see if they’re doing something they shouldn’t? Do you just coincidentally catch them doing it when coming over to do something? Driving by it randomly?

[Joe Martella]

Well, it all depends.  Do you want to catch them breaking the lease?   Is there an issue you are concerned about?   I drive by my properties every now and then. I try to maintain the tenant’s privacy. I don’t want them feeling uncomfortable like they are being watched. Last I am trying to be known for is the creepy landlord.  The more comfortable a resident is, the more they will renew their lease. 

When there is a repair, sometimes I try to go and either do it or inspect the issue.  That will give me the ability to check on the inside.   If I can’t make it to the repair, I will talK to my handyman to see any info he has.