I never try to save the small stuff, ex. blinds, outlet plates, carpet, ceiling fans, etc.

Items such as hardware, outlet covers, light fixtures, caulking, window blinds, painting supplies, etc.

Sometimes they've let small maintenance issues go; we find out after they move that a closet door is off the track, the garbage disposal doesn't work, some of the window blinds are broken or jammed, light bulbs not working, holes in the walls from picture frames, tub stoppers missing, smoke detector batteries dead.

IMO they like the newer housing and subdivisions and are blinded by the price compared to a lot of CA markets.

You can also add a mini-blind in a gray to match if there's a window.

But outwardly soliciting blindly isn't ok.

I turn a mostly a blind ear to excuses .

Heck, drive around and look for fixer uppers and mail them blind offers!

I state in the lease that damage from smoking can cost thousands of dollars (replacement of flooring, curtains, blinds, re-painting etc.) and that they are on the hook for paying for it if they lie about their habits and smoke inside.

I know you might say I have gone nose blind to it, but that isn't true either.