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How to Fix a Water Heater Leak

Water Heater LeakOne of the most dreaded landlord moments is when a tenant calls about a water issue.  In this case, my tenant texted me about water leaking into his garage.  I know enough about my own buildings, that if water is leaking into a garage, and it is sub-freezing outside, it is not good.  It could be a water heater leak, a drain pipe in the ceiling dripping, a supply pipe leaking, a water meter leaking, a bath tub over flow leaking, or a floor drain over flowing.

So, I had it narrowed down right away based on the text.  It could be anything.  I had to spring into action.  Here is what I did.

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Removing a Garbage Disposer in a Rental Property

Garbage DisposerIf you are a homeowner, you likely have a garbage disposer.  You may use it all the time.  In a rental, it is a different story.  It can be a constant maintenance item, it can leak, need to be replaced, or just plain smell bad.

Here is what I recommend on a garbage disposer in a rental property.

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How to Paint a Rental Property

Paint a Rental PropertyOne of the ways I am able to turn an apartment so fast, is the way I have my painting method set up.  I know how to paint a rental property, and paint it efficiently and fast.   When I first started with my rental properties, I hated painting.  I hired a guy to paint for $20 an hour, and it would take him a week to paint.  I now paint an entire apartment, in about 16 hours, including the trim.  Often even less.

If you are afraid of painting, or just do not like it, fear not.  It is not that hard.  Here are some tips for landlords, and even home owners, to help make the job easier.

Here is how I am able to do it quickly and efficiently.

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How to clean out a tub drain

Tub DrainThis article will teach you how to clean out a tub drain.  When you own rental property, there will always be maintenance.  You can do it yourself, or hire someone.  Even in your own home, there are tasks that need to be completed, this is a great one to learn to do yourself.  If you can save $100, that is a couple or three (for two people) nice restaurant meals (in my places), or $100 to your retirement.

Of course some tasks are not fun, some are messy, and some of them are just gross.  Even the tasks you think are real bad ones; there is someone out there that does them all day, every day.  Do not feel sorry for yourself.

When I turn a rental over, cleaning a tub drain is a very common task.  It’s not fun, but not difficult.

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Simple Appliance Repairs for Landlords (or Homeowners)

Appliance repairWith any issue, if you can do some simple appliance repairs as a landlord, you can save a ton of money.  In my rentals, I find that some appliances are worth fixing, some are not.  Here are a couple of recent simple appliance repairs that I have completed.

I typically buy fairly cheap appliances.  I always buy new, and make sure that they are 100% clean for all new tenants.  Of course, I also expect the tenants that are moving out to keep them clean.

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How to Get Rid Of a Couch For Free

Get Rid Of a Couch As a landlord, especially if you cater to a low-income tenant base, you will no doubt have to get rid of many stuffed chairs, love seats, hide-a-beds, futons, mattresses, box springs and couches.  And more.  If you know how to get rid of a couch for free, it will save you a lot of money.

This posting is somewhat of a companion article to one of my previous articles about how to get rid of a mattress for free.  This couch was left over from when I asked my Section 8 tenant to leave.

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Apartment Turnover and Other Maintenance

Apartment TurnMy final apartment turnover for March is complete.  I am all set until the end of April now.  I had the new tenant sign a lease and pay the rent for the remaining March rent, and all of April, on 3/24.  I prorated the rent for March, and she also paid all of April.

These tenants have a solid credit score, and solid income, so they should be a great tenants.  It is only one person for now, and another that moves in in August.  Both have been screened and accepted.

That is the way to do it, declare and screen everyone who will be moving into the apartment right up front.  No one wants to be told their significant other can’t move in a month down the road.

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Landlord Work

plumber-35611_1280-PDIt has been a bit busy here.  There has been a lot of landlord work on the rental front that has been taking a bit of time.  I updated the landlord maintenance log, and added times to the chart.

 All My Rentals are Full (for now…)

I was able to take in a pretty decent renter in my vacant apartment in my duplex.  Now that the winter is over, the calls on the rental seem to be exponentially more in volume.  The tenant had lived at her old place for about 10 years, and was ready to move out of the apartment scene.  She was slightly more risk that my original plan, so I went with a month-to-month lease.  Overall, probably less risk than 90% of tenants, but I saw a few things that I would have preferred to have been different.  The fast move in was one red flag, although that was due to procrastination on her part.

So, February and March 2015 will be a 100% full months, that is the first time since July 2014.

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Smoking in a Rental Property

no-smoking-145888_1280-PDAre you aware of the expenses associated with allowing a smoking in a rental property?  If not, you need to understand that a smoker will cost you at least 10% of your profits due to increased turnover costs and additional vacancy. That is an unscientific number, and I may venture to guess it may be much higher.

Smoking in a rental property will cost you plenty in term of lost profitability.

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My Air Conditioner Does Not Work.  Help!

air conditioner does not workMy tenant called me on Saturday to let me know that her air conditioner does not work.  It was humid, the temperature was in the 80’s, and she had a new baby less than a couple of weeks old.  As a landlord, you have the choice of being a phone call taker, or not.  You have the choice of doing the repair or not.  As always, it helps to know a few things, about a few things, so you can make the proper decisions…

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