The common alternative, assuming the price will appraise, is to offer a higher price and have the seller cover part of your closing costs.

as mentioned above there should be boiler plate mandatory mediation for these circumstances.. but as long as U dont sign the release the money just sits in title company account.. after some time with no resolution  ( At least in OR and WA which usually is very close to CA) money is then interpleaded to the courts for disposition then you both lawyer up.. these rarely go that far as lawyer fee's exceed the amount your arguing about.but splitting the baby in some manner is for sure a very common outcome if you dont want the drama.

It's really a beautiful thing.Now, for a single-family that you're renting out, you don't have a common space to install the recorder or take electricity from.

Hey Joe,Of course your right about the relative magnitude of the type of posts I'm whining about....LOL, I I am sometime my own worst enemy, as I have spent more time complaining and pontificating in this thread, than my time wasted by this initial poster that inspired the post.It just caught me off guard, because their was posts are within the rules, but the intention is not....so just hit a nerve...it's almost as if they are being paid to generate the exact type of posts that stay within the rules, but, with intention of sales/networking, not the pursuit of knowledge....it seems to be a more and more common practice in generaAnyway, I appreciate your posts and thoughtful contribution, it has added value to my time in these forums.Have a great day and best of luck!

I always tell the tenant that renting a house is different than renting an apartment because you're responsible for common area maintenance.Now, if I notice that my yard is not being maintained, then I warn the tenant 3X.

@Jonathan Barby This is common, and becoming more so, in many states.

All number$ are based on actual number$ from common properties within the same micro-market as established by those common properties. 

It is actually common for couples to live together before getting married or even for couples to never get married.

Or force the tenant to remove their belongings from the common areas?

More commonly the popular method for water is Rubs per occupant since people use water and not sqft.