How to BULLETPROOF my rental property from destructive tenants

How to BULLETPROOF my rental property from destructive tenants

Buffalo, NY · Member since 2014 · 82 posts · 75 votes

What things do you fellow landlords do to make your units more resistant to damage and tenant abuse without compromising the quality of the unit? I'll be renting in low income areas and want to provide nice units but still have them very sturdy to withstand potential tenant abuse.

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Investor · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 465 votes
12y

This is a good starting point.


HOW DO YOU HARDEN YOUR RENTALS

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  • Investor · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 465 votes
    12y

    This is a good starting point.


    HOW DO YOU HARDEN YOUR RENTALS

  • Investor · Louisville, KY · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    12y

    I don't do low income rentals, but I would think a lot of that could be avoided with a very strict application/acceptance policy.

    I'd focus more effort on the tenant screening process than tenant-proofing the units.

    If you still want to go that route though, the link @Sam Leon provided has a lot of great pointers!

  • Investor · Lafayette/Baton Rouge, LA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 915 votes
    12y
    An ironclad screening process.
  • Buffalo, NY · Member since 2014 · 82 posts · 75 votes
    12y

    excellent advice for sure. Still, I'd like to keep this post focused on actual materials and items that are tough but attractive.

    I'll be reading that link above next. That looks perfect.

  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    12y

    Cinder block walls with industrial paint. All baths and kitchens solid steel. When they leave roll up carpet and have a drain in the middle of the floor and hose the place down. Then re-rent to another tenant.

    LOL

    I am just kidding of course! ..................... : )

  • Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    12y
    Originally posted by @Joel Owens:
    Cinder block walls with industrial paint. All baths and kitchens solid steel. When they leave roll up carpet and have a drain in the middle of the floor and hose the place down. Then re-rent to another tenant.

    LOL

    I am just kidding of course! ..................... : )

    Prison

  • Investor · Long Beach, CA · Member since 2012 · 313 posts · 190 votes
    12y

    I just bought my first 3 unit. I have rented many, many, many apartments during my life. Never once did I punch a hole in a wall, door, or piece of glass, nor did I ever kick in the door of an oven. Yet this seems to be typical for most renters...Thank god for security deposits.

  • Real Estate Investor · Fenton, MI · Member since 2008 · 946 posts · 153 votes
    12y
    Originally posted by @Michael Seeker:

    I'd focus more effort on the tenant screening process than tenant-proofing the units.

    That sounds like a good theory, but people change over the years. Tenant's situations and jobs change. They start to resent rent increases. We had what we thought were good tenants and three years later we had to evict because their dog was defecating on our beautiful wood floors! Yes we screened them, but you never know what is really in their heads. That is why there are so many divorces in this country.

  • Mechanicsburg, PA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    12y

    @Douglas B.

    Besides not renting to destructive tenants, I would suggest that you read the "Section 8 Bible vol 1 & 2"

  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    12y

    @Joel Owens

    cinder block walls and industrial lino works have seen it many times. for me only provide a stove... period. but I do like the prison concept.. seems like we are the wardens.

    cage the condenser..When I was buying and rehabbing I always put in a new sewer line to the street if it was 20 or more years old could get it done for 1 to 12oo before its an emergency and its one of the biggest maintenance items.

    And then the obvious I never put carpet in C properties.. most have hard would floors Paint them dark colors. let them use throw rugs. etc etc.

    bottom line is these homes are lived in roughly

  • Real Estate Investor · Fenton, MI · Member since 2008 · 946 posts · 153 votes
    12y
    Originally posted by @Sam Leon:
    This is a good starting point.


    HOW DO YOU HARDEN YOUR RENTALS

    Yes, a lot of good info.

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