To be notified next time, click on the link in the above post for the forum.Then click "monitor this topic" at the top of the forum.When I schedule the next meetup in the East Bay (sometime in February), I will post it on that thread.

The monitoring is just a cheap monthly fee.

If so the Nest probably would not be a good option because it will monitor to see if anyone is around and it wouldn't be able to see outside of the area its in.I know some people who love it.

I install a monitored security system monitored by a local company.

Yes, you can fight this by monitoring liquor cost closely and they even sell high-tech metering systems and camera systems now, but again its much easier said than done.

Yes I heard the same from another investor with the maintenance and sneaky addon charges being a grey area if not monitored or setting the rules upfront.Will have to get over there when I can and network with the PM's 

It sounds like you'll have an easy time getting the property rent-ready again, but you need to do a better job of screening and monitoring your tenants. 

How many times have I looked at my monitor reading a cash-for-keys advocate's advice and wondered this exact thing?

An integrated security and alarm system can be more effective, but you are spending a lot of cost up front on systems, and a continuing drain for monitoring.

You'll be able to determine how much to include in the rent if you start monitoring it now, before you put on solar.