5 Essential Landlord Tools
So I had a thought the other day about items which make my life as a landlord easier. Not all of them are super high-tech but they can come in really handy and save a lot of time when you need them.
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This is one of the “higher tech” items. I have changed so many entry door locksets between tenants more times than I care to remember. These ingenious devices make that job a complete breeze. These locks can be “re-programmed” to accept a new key in about 30 seconds. So, if a tenant decides that they’re moving out and taking the keys with them. It’s not a problem, except trying to collect the appropriate fees that is.
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This can be an indispensable tool for when tenants decide to chain or lock things that they’re not supposed to. I’ve had tenants chain a tire to a tree branch to make a swing for their kids and then… leave without removing it.
I’ve also had tenants lock a storage shed containing all their junk belongings…and you guessed it..break the lease without taking it with them.
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This is great for vacant units needing to be shown. More than once I have found myself half-way on the way to show a property and realize that I’ve forgotten the keys. It’s also good if the unit is listed in the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and an agent needs to show it.
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This tool is great for when you encounter the products of the many wild and wonderful activities your tenants may engage in. It’s also great for showing these activities to the judge when you’re trying to get a money judgment for the damage. Just be sure you have “before” pictures to go with the “after” pictures.
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Oh, Larry The Cable Guy would be proud. This is actually excellent to have on hand when something is leaking in the middle of the night and the tenant delights in getting you out of bed to come fix it. Tape it up and call the plumber in the morning.
