You plug in the receiver into an outlet where you want to be able to hear it, then put the battery operated button outside.

I save $$$ big $$$ every year because my lead tech takes the time to try to walk the resident/tenant through the problem they are having and resolve via phone if possible.My favorite hero call every time, is when it is 20 below and tenant calls with a furnace out issue, turns out it is simply the batteries in the thermostat, many people do not know that the thermostat in nearly all cases (except for a modern nest) are not direct connect/direct wire and are powered via battery.

That is easily solved by removing the batteries and plugging it and then plug it back in.  

On it you should have things like:House keepingWindow glassRodentsPlumbing/WaterCarpetSmoke Detectors (Change the batteries too)DrainsToiletsYou are trying to do a few things:Document/correct on going damageFind immediate issues that need addressed (water leaks, broken glass, infestations, house keeping issues etc) so you can issue lease violations or perform maintenance.  

The next time they back to the house the robber pull the meter out the meter socket trying to kill the power to alarm system put the system is equip with back up battery.

If there is a basement and it has a sump pump, I always be sure the pump is in good working order and has a battery back up.

The appearance is good without the need for a finish washer, the go in easily and have a torx head that avoid slipping.If you don't have one, an impact driver with two batteries would be a good investment for a job like this.

We don't have to worry about that, but I've had to move all the batteries for inside storage due to the heat! 

Steal the batteries out of the old ladys hearing aid and the problem is solved .

So the down low on 3 companies I interviewed:Company AOver 400 units2 Property managersLate on the 5th- $50 charge to tenant, 10th- additional $25 charge to tenantNo project management fee1 drive by inspection per month, 1 full inspection every 6 monthsRequires renter’s insurance (single family homes only)Stated high percentage of tenant renewals Manager of the RE branch was a local town justice for many yearsHandles insurance claims2 evictions last year (both in same building- new project) - not tenants they placedSaid they serve fake eviction papers before moving on to full eviction process (to save owners money) Charges ½ 1st mo rent and 10%Red flags-Does not approve prospective tenants with owners (to keep owner from contacting them)Will not show lease (confidentiality)I did view one of the houses they manage, the tenant mentioned they had asked for a leak to be fixed and it had been over 2 weeksDue diligence revealed PM was arrested 3 yrs ago for petite larceny from a grocery store- weird a retired town justice would hire herCompany BManages 40 properties2 Property managersNew company (1 yr old)- all property managers came from another with years of experienceLate on the 5th- $50 charge to tenant, then 3 day pay/quit notice ~5 days later10% project management fee w/ weekly updatesInvestors make up 5-10% of their propertiesIn house maintenance staffOwner can approve tenantsOwner can provide own leaseReiterated how important communication was2 prior evictions1 manager has 2 investment propertiesCharges ½ 1st mo rent and 10%Does not want to rent low end housingRed flags-One of the property managers never responded to first 2 emails, 2nd manager was prompt every responseDoes not want large portfolio of rentals (150+)One of the property managers has boyfriend writing reviews on how great she is, same manager that never responded (looked him up and he has a lengthy arrest record)Does not perform regular inspections unless owner requires (sounds reassuring- sarcasm intended)Admitted no set schedule for inspections but noted “they can do them”Company CMy current agent/his wife would manage- part of a franchised-brokered companyI’ve bought and sold 1 property through him- sold in 6 days in a market with over 365 days of inventory, though the sale drug out 6 months due to the buyer/buyers agentEthics is of utmost importance to him (proven this)Late on the 4th- $25 charge to tenantWill provide project management (taking pictures, lock box for contractors) free of chargeAverage ~ 2 year tenancyWill be providing investor referencesStandard lease- owner can’t changeProvides copy of lease to ownerPrefers owner not to contact tenant but not against policy (want to send out semi-annual survey for their review of management/property)No repairs w/o owner permission (unless emergency)Drive by inspections often2 evictions last year- not tenants they placedAs an agent they are the most geared toward investors in the areaCharges ½ 1st mo rent and 10%Red flags-Current late fee is only $25 (brokered company rules)- they have a meeting next week to discussHave tenant submit background check through online platform- I’ve found tenants to be lazy and would rather you do thisNo annual/semi-annual inspections- said they check smoke detector batteries/change furnace filter once per yr