I'm bumping this thread since I have the same questions because it's pretty common for people to enclose garages and/or sunrooms in my area and turn them into bedrooms.I think I understand the issues - might not pass inspection if not up to code, liability issues if inspector missed something, code enforcement issues if not propertly permitted...

Again it could be a reasonable cost depending on what all they had to do.There are multiple issues here.1.Most of the items mentioned for repair should have shown up on an inspection of the property PRIOR to purchasing.In my mind if you didn't get a inspection from a 3RD party inspector not affiliated with the company selling you the property then these repairs are on you for not doing due diligence.2.The other component is that this property manager has their own crew.I don't like that one but and would never agree to it.Sometimes managers also get referral fees for giving business to skilled trades even if they don't have their own crew.The problem becomes then instead of getting the best rate they have to pad it a little to give back to the property manager for the referral.So either way I am sure the property manager is reaping a benefit monetarily from it.This way they make more than the lousy 50 to 60 bucks a month managing a property.This is why I am not a fan of "one off houses" in an area far away from where I live.This is why I like owning apartment buildings.I can find a full time highly trained manager easily and they use systems and programs to control cost and everything is documented.Since they only focus on management and are not a broker/agent doing transactions and then handling "rentals on the side" my properties get the focus they need to be ran properly.It just sounds like you purchased wrong and then on top of that have a property manager padding fees with the repairs.REO agents used to do this with banks.They wouldn't make much commission on selling the little dumpy houses so would have their company do the trashout,re-key,repairs and charge full market for it.Eventually the banks caught on and choosed their own company to perform tasks and only let the broker list the property for sale.Sometimes that works and other times it doesn't as the broker or manager is now dealing with outside parties they can't control saying work was completed properly and it wasn't.If you haven't had an inspection of the property I would do it now to see what all else might come up in the future so you can expect it and plan for it.

They require that you fax the deed, utility bills, etc. to them to prove that you are a landlord, but they don't require that an inspector come out to your house to see if the credit reports are in a locked room, like some other services do.

Then he sent an inspector to make sure I was within his description of 90%.

Inspectors check the electrical system with a generator and the plumbing system with a copressor.

He said the building inspector is not responsible for seeing the ball check comes out or is not covered up.The inspector sees it pass the test and leaves.I just can't believe nobody checks this kind of stuff before throwing walls up.

I've had inspectors point out obvious problems but miss bigger problems.

Or has he seen the property already and is having an inspection by a RE inspector?

Here is the list the inspector noted (not including some cosmetic items)-1.

Thanks everyone.Carole yes there is limits.The problem is catching all the people there at once for a violation.If the code enforcement walks in and doesn't actually see all the people then there is nothing they can do.Had this happen in another county where there were a bunch of people occupying a house next to my property.The inspector only worked 9 to 5 Monday through Friday.Many of the people worked and were gone when the inspector could come by.Thus they could never do anything about the situation.This is why I think as a deterrent if we charged 50 bucks a head there would be no benefit for them bringing in all these people because the landlord would get the money.