I'm currently dealing with severe property damage on a single-family fifixer-upper in the Atlanta metro area, and my insurance adjuster hinted at hiring a public adjuster.I'm new to this and could use some guidance.

. :) To answer your question about legitimacy - how do they get to $125k in damages?

I finally told her to forget it and relieved her from the 3k she owed me in damages and late rent.

Imagine someone harassing your girlfriend, damaging your property, using or selling illicit drugs, dog biting you or your other tenants and creating a flea or noise issue, or any number of other potential issues.

Furnished Finder does make it tricky since you need separate profiles for each room, but platforms like Apartments.com or Airbnb might work better if you're aiming for full-house rentals or structured by-the-room arrangements.If you decide to rent to multiple individuals:Tenant Screening: Screen each tenant thoroughly to ensure they’re reliable and responsible.Clear Communication: Introduce potential tenants to one another Detailed Agreements: Use separate leases for each tenant and specify shared vs. private spaces, utilities, and maintenance responsibilities.House Rules: Create clear, written house rules to prevent misunderstandings.Inventory Tracking: Document everything in the home (furniture, appliances, etc.) to avoid disputes about damage or missing items.Also, market your property with its flexibility in mind—like proximity to hospitals for traveling nurses or universities for graduate students.

Maybe they are good people and want to pay for the damages and remove the remaining tree?

And, you need to cure your liability (you cannot use a city easement without obtaining a Grant of Easement from the city - a legal document to be filed with the Clerk of Court).You've done everything you can to mitigate the damage to your home and I applaud you for it.

Also,  make sure your turn over costs account for the smoke damage.

If the tenant is dilly-dallying in paying the repair costs for (not wear-and-tear) damage for more than 1 week.

If you are taking care of things, any punitive damages would zero or very small.