All Forum Posts by: David Veeder

Smokers are not a protected class as far is fair housing laws go.  I maintain smoke free homes except for tenants that I inherited through acquisition.   I have had expensive issues trying to get rid of smoke smell.  Standard for me is replace carpet and pad, wipe down all walls to clean them, paint with Shellac based primer before painting everything.  Often all of the outlets and switches need to be replaced.  I have used an Ozone generator when not being this aggressive with makeready , and have had units smelling good but with in weeks the smoke smell is back.

Don't think you have a chance in court with no proof.  It is hard enough get a tenant evicted because of an unauthorized pet when they have a lease.

As part of a retention effort I send cards with a couple movie passes (Average cost $7 each).  It is a nice thought to send a card but not sure if it buys much good will.

I could argue the touch up paint either way.  Sounds like the tenant would have done it if there was paint on site.  Just something to think about in the future.  I probably would let the small nail holes slide.  The carpet is depreciated over 5 years so I say it has a 5 year life expectancy.  So I would charge  60% of the replacement of the carpet.

I believe I found a solution for $ 19 at http://www.aaamidwestlaundry.com/order/box_guards.....

I don't have experience with the supplier.   Looks like a solution with a lock you only have the key to.

I do a minimum of staging on my rentals.  Shower curtains, towels, soap dish in baths and usually a cheap plant.  Then I do a cookbook, plant, placement, plate, and towels in the kitchen.  Just something that makes it look a little more lived in than completely vacant.