Guides & field notes
Automation, tax, and operations for hands-on landlords who run their own stack.
A retired property manager breaks down the real affordability of buying and renting out a home at 23 on a £25k salary with £60k savings—and why it's almost never the right move.
ReadWondering if cash for keys needs a witness? As a retired property manager, I explain why most agreements don’t require one, when a witness might still help, and how to protect yourself without overcomplicating things.
When a landlord requests an early move-out, tenants often wonder if they can prorate rent. Learn why a verbal agreement isn't enough and how to protect your security deposit.
Learn how to smoothly transfer utility accounts to tenants and why leaving curtains in an unfurnished rental can save you headaches and money.
Learn the real rules about down payments on a condo you plan to rent out. Can you put less than 20% down and live in it first? Here’s what I’ve seen work—and what can go wrong.
Learn how to estimate a maintenance reserve for a rental property with no maintenance history, using simple rule-of-thumb methods and proactive planning.
A retired property manager explains when a fix-it-when-it-breaks approach backfires, and how to shift to proactive maintenance before it costs you a fortune.
Learn your rights as a German landlord when a tenant unilaterally reduces rent. I share my experience with legal steps, termination rules, and eviction.
You underpriced your rental and now qualified tenants are lining up. Ditch the temptation to raise the price mid-stream—here’s the honest, landlord-friendly fix that protects your investment and your reputation.
Ever had a tenant ask you to buy their leasehold interest? It’s called cash for keys, and it might be a good deal for both of you. Here’s what I’ve learned from decades in property management.
A retired property manager explains the right way to handle tenant-caused toilet clogs—who should do the repair, who pays, and whether it can lead to a rent hike.
A squatter overstays after your tenant moves out. Learn what steps to take (and how to prevent it) without breaking the law. Practical tips from a retired property manager.
A retired property manager explains the tricky legality of a landlord living in a rental unit that a tenant still pays for, covering abandonment, constructive eviction, and the duty to mitigate damages.
A tenant’s lease says heat is included, but the heating system runs on electricity they pay for. Here’s what a retired property manager would do to resolve this sticky utility dispute.
A retired property manager breaks down NM law: yes, you can require filter changes as routine maintenance, but you’re still on the hook for repairs. Learn how to write it in your lease and avoid costly mistakes.
A tenant cannot evict another tenant — only the landlord has that legal standing. I'm sharing what I've learned from decades in property management about handling roommate disputes without overstepping.
A retired property manager explains why a tenant might legally refuse gutter cleaning duties even if the lease assigns them, thanks to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.
A retired Texas property manager shares when you can ask tenants to fix a jammed disposal—and when you definitely shouldn’t. Avoid liability and costly repairs with this lease-first approach.
How I determine renovation savings targets for each rental property using a simple capital reserve study approach. Learn to budget for big-ticket repairs without guessing.
A retired property manager’s guide to handling tenant disputes over unfair post-move-out charges — without involving lawyers or burning bridges.
My letting agent disclosed their relative wants to rent my property. After years of managing rentals, here’s the straightforward conflict-of-interest strategy I developed.
A retired property manager shares what to do when a tenant's pet caused damage but the security deposit covered it. Learn how to handle references without risking defamation or unfairness.
