What services would you like to see in your unit; new paint, carpet, washer dryer, cable, security, new doors, windows, out side lights, alarmLet them know you want to improve the apartmentsNegotiate with the tenants, agree on a rent increase to cover the up-gradesAs a bonus, agree not to increase their rent for another 2 yearsA gift of a fat turkeys for the holidaysAn end of year bonus for paying on timeA gift certificate for something they may like I consider a tenant a customer, take good care of them and you'll find you will get your rent as agreed.Remember "late charges" increases your net also.Be kind and understanding when tenants don't pay on time, listen to their excuses or problems, you may be able to help them.Tenants are just like us, we all have problems at times, a little leverage, understanding and kindness goes a long way.......they won't forget you.When we have tenants with financial problems I consul with them, we talk about how to earn extra money (that is usually what the problem is...lack of money).I suggest different ways they can earn money without a job; if your tenant is handy; painting, plumbing, roofing, fixing cars, teaching a course, bookkeeping.

Property management would include collecting the rent each month, advertising for a new tenant when you need one, screening tenants (time to meet the applicants, show the property, run criminal history and credit checks), dealing with evictions, and doing the bookkeeping.

I have the 2021 tax return, and im waiting on the first quarter of 2022's bookkeeping (he told me the 1st qtr figures tripled over all of 2021's gross rental income). 

The core things for most real estate investing are that you need to be able to: - Find Good Deals and Negotiate - Get Good Funding - Handle the Legal, Tax, and Transaction Side Well  - Manage Fixing the Property Properly if needed - Have a Good Revenue Generation Strategy That works for you, the property  and the market you are in (Location and Real Estate Market cycle wise)  - Rent it (as an STR, MTR, LTR, Section 8, College, House Hack etc) Flip or Wholesale it- Have good systems for the longterm and for scaling - tenant and property management, book keeping etc  A Couple  Helpful Podcast Episodes -  Rookie to Real Estate Investor in 90 Days: Meet the Mentees- Skills You Need to Become a Full-Time Real Estate Investor Real Estate Rookie Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@RealE...   

Another flip was funded by a private investor who saw my capabilities and proven track record (I had also flipped houses with my parents but was more of the laborer and bookkeeper.)

John Thedford,Does your CPA do your bookkeeping?

My book keepers running the numbers.I think the best plan on getting them from the bank would be to start at one end of the street and have the bank give them there 90 day notices.

This list of accounts or the total amounts are then added or subtracted to income and expenses, the difference is then balanced to your bank register showing that the fund is in balance.There is absolutely no need to have separate bank accounts for different properties or for different types of accounts, that is simply a mess, while you may think it's simplified, the tax man may not, your banker won't and neither will your accountant.Simple, basic accounting or bookkeeping is not difficult after it is set up.

Besides the bookkeeping files from my PM, what are other things I should be preparing and filing to get the best tax benefits with REI?

That way you would be taking less of a risk by having several properties in one LLC, and you would have less bookkeeping and filing fees to deal with.