Quite a Bit Done Today
Today was one of those days when I got quite a bit done! I collected numerous rents, which is always nice - in fact, it's my favorite part of the business!
In addition to that, I finished the trim for the floor I've been working on. I have decided that it looks pretty good and I'll try to take a picture of it tomorrow after I've painted the trim.
While I was working on the floor, one of my tenants called to tell me that she had a break-in yesterday. She said that the tenant apparently got in through a window that wouldn't lock. So, after finishing the floor, I went over to that house to check out the situation. All of the windows had locks on them, but one window wasn't completely closed and of course wasn't locked. That is apparently how the criminal got in. The good news is that nothing was stolen and no-one was hurt.
Next, I went to one of my nicest 3 bedroom houses that had three issues to address. First, I fixed a faucet handle that had become loose. No big deal. Next, I removed a table and chairs that came with the house, because the tenant got her own table and chairs. Finally, I checked the water meter to determine if there was a water leak at the house. The tenant reported that her water bill went from $32 per month to $89 per month and that she must have a leak. With the faucets off in the house, the water meter wasn't turning. Therefore, there is no leak. I suspect that the water company misread the water meter.
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Comments (2)
Hi Diane, That's a great idea and I do have the renter's insurance suggestion in the lease. I don't have a document saying that they should specifically keep windows and doors locked, but we do have a move-in/move-out form that they sign attesting to the windows being in good condition and secure when they move in. Talk to you later, Mike
Michael Rossi, over 15 years ago
Mike you might want to have some simple document printed up for the tenants saying they should keep windows and doors locked, and have renters insurance against theft. If for example a lock was not working on a window or door and a violent attack happened in the house, the tenant might come back to sue YOU. I read about such cases lately. So you might like to keep a journal where you note that you inspected the locks, they work, and that you spoke to the tenant about securing them. The book would be your CYA in case of a law suit. In one of our neighborhoods, a man was breaking into 1st floor apartments with open windows and violently assalting the female tenants. He did this dozens of times until he was caught. It took the neighbors and landlords organizing to catch him. Best D
Diane Menke, over 15 years ago