But in reality, holding on too tightly limits growth, causes burnout, and actually costs you money.Why Letting Go Helps Your Bottom Line✅ Frees Up Your Time – Instead of handling every single tenant issue, you can focus on strategy, acquisitions, and big-picture decisions.✅ Allows Specialists to Do Their Jobs – A leasing agent will lease faster than an investor juggling 10 different tasks.

I'd recommend an investor be liquid 75k - 100k to make sure they can get this done and have a cushion, cause as we know you always need a cushion.

"I'm at the point where I've gotten out THE lease and it doesn't have anything about locksmith, however the maintenance, repairs section states, " All normal repairs necessary to maintain premises in a tenantable condition shall be done by or under the direction of the landlord, and at the Landlord's expense, except those caused by negligence or acts of the Tenant, which repairs shall be made at the sole coast of the Tenant. 

If they failed to pay the bill and utilities are shut off, they are responsible for any damages caused.

Chicagoland as a market may appreciate at different rates, and property taxes certainly do not help the cause.

Along with a kiddy-pool sized litterbox in one corner of a room, cat urine and feces in the OTHER corner of the room on the carpet (newly installed by the seller when I bought), and a smell that made my eyes water walking in the front door.The lease has a clause for Tenant-Caused Damages resulting from tenant negligence.

So it's important to ensure you have records and the issue is that sometimes guests go in with lotions etc. which cause irritation. 

We also have Proposition 13 and our property taxes go up a max of 2% a year (unless you do a significant renovation causing the property to be re-assessed) - some of the Californians who left for Texas have seem massive property tax increases and sold their appreciating home here. 

I also require additional security deposit and sometimes a guarantor if they were approved in this manner.I also agree that this situation sounds like a pattern not a one-time mistake or short term tough situation that caused this.  

Also, check for prepayment penalties or clauses that could cause issues.