Connect with me and I'll shoot you my phone number.
There are definitely crappy sober living homes out there. If you choose this route, first learn about the Best Practices established by NARR. They are at the forefront for all legislation trying to finally get Best Practices established. There's SOOOOOOOO much stigma surrounding them, and rightfully so. I got into the business after stepping into one and seeing one that wasn't properly managed. But if you're renting a home to someone who wants to do it, they should be locked on and at least look for the "pseudo-certifcations" offered by the States through NARR.
My sober living home is SPOTLESS. It is 1000 times cleaner than my other rental property that is currently rented by an Officer in the Marine corps (single, no family, and house hacking with a buddy against the lease)
I walk in there any time I want, unannounced. Iy home is about an hour drive but I visit a few times a week because my House manager and I are a team "walking the lines" since I want to be actively involved. I have 9 beds in a 5 bedroom home (i could easily fit more beds per sq ft but again I dont want to be one of "those" homes.
The girls have daily chores and weekly chores. But the house was also renovated and updated and opened with all new furnishings, not a mish-mosh of goodwill pieces like the other homes so this is a lot of their first chances at having a nice home. They WANT a nice house. I also am not a "bed filler" in other words, I'm not looking for immediate cash flow-I want to set the standards that my house isn't a place for "cheap beds/rent". I've turned away potential "guests" because they weren't serious about their recovery. Its painful if I look at the cash flow I'm losing, but I have that choice.
Be prepared with being comfortable with threatening to be sued and booting people out that day when they pop positive. That should be filtered out thru the person renting the house from you, but it may trickle up to you. Maintaining anonymity and involvement solves this problem, but I'm in it for different reasons for more than real/estate and cash flow so its impossible to get out of that scenario now!!
To all the naysayers who say they're dumps, depends on you and your systems and the management of the MOST important piece of this puzzle--Your House Manager. Its not for the faint of heart, but some one has to do it. They're needed, they're here to stay and nothing makes me happier than doing good, but doing well. My neighbors love me. They know. They're better behaved than any tenant I've had. meth addicts, heroin users, alchoholics. All under one roof. Trying to do better. Thats all it is
