Being a Landlord
Art Ikle is a NoBody that just likes to rattle on about things he knows a little about.
This article is intended for amusement only.


By: Art Ikel
date published: Oct 11, 2007
email  Art This article is free to re-use and publish if left in it's origional form with all content and links in tact.

I am NOT and probably will never be a landlord for several reasons.
Since I do not own rental property you can consider the following text "Just a matter of Opinion"
My current occupation is Heating and Air and Appliance Service. About 99% of my customers are Landlords or Property managers. I deal with their problems on a regular basis. Some have High end properties that are very well kept. Others are mid to low end properties that are kept in good condition as well as possible. ALL of my clients try their best to keep up the properties they own. They have a common enemy. The renter. Renters seem to think that if they don't OWN the property then it is NOT their responsibility to keep it up. Others just don't really care or they have a fear of contact with their landlord for one reason or another.
First complaint from a tenant is when the refrigerator is not working, although they wait 2 weeks until they call. By this time their food is ruined and the refrigerator is smelly and full of juices that are a mixture of anything and everything This is always a pleasant service call.
The second complaint would be if the air conditioner isn't working. Large dogs and some small dogs seem to like to chew on things, especially thermostat wiring outside. People love their animals but don't always pay attention to the animal habits. Many of my service calls during the summer require me to replace about 2 feet of wire that controls the A/C. The work isn't hard but it does cost the owner for me to come out and repair. Renters don't have any idea that an A/C has an air filter. Changing filters would save my clients a service call. Many owners even provide the air filters and show the renters how to change them but still have to follow up and do it them selves or let me change them.
While I make money from the repair service, I also see the habits and lifestyles of the people that inhabit rental properties. Even some of the higher priced rentals have renters that have worse habits than rodents. Trash, papers, food, clothes, and anything else that usually have a place, ends up anywhere and everywhere. I am not going to condemn anyone for their lifestyle. BUT, I was brought up to respect other peoples property. At least put the garbage out occasionally.
Renters always seem to be polite and well mannered when you first talk to them. Most have been through the rental application stage before and know how to "PUSH "the "RIGHT BUTTONS". Saying the right things and placing the blame on the right people in a polite way. Everyone is a perfect renter before you sign the lease. Do it your selfers and handymen always have an angle. Promises to FIX things. Six months later, no progress or really screwed up... Single mothers are always good sympathy cases i.e. Boyfriends run off and take their last paycheck, tear up their car, beat them up, is in jail, has the other part of the rent. And another approach, "I just started a job and my parents threw us out", we will have the money next week but need a place to stay today.
Utilities - renters seem to be able to come up with the deposit and the rent but cant come up with deposit money for utilities. Legit excuse in some cases. Rent + Deposit can be a large amount if you don't make a lot of money. But UTILITIES seem to follow everyone around. If ya don't pay, ya don't get power!
When the renter moves out, most owners spend anywhere from $300.00 & up to repair, replace, paint, clean, and general prep for another tenant to move in. It is a big circle. I guess if ya make $300-$400 a month after taxes and insurance and mortgage payments, then you can spend that much and be OK.
All together, if ya own the property outright, & you are good at painting & have nothing else to do, & don't mind replacing carpet every 3 to six months, & don't mind spraying for bugs every 3 to 6 months, & have a BULK contract for trash disposal and a couple guys with a dump truck, then I suppose being a landlord isn't all that bad.
I think I'd rather repair A/C's and appliances and let you do it.