How to Get Your Security Deposit Back in Boston, MA

Getting Your Security Deposit Back in Boston: A Move-out Checklist

A security deposit is a TON of money! No one wants to sacrifice that sum if they can help it.

This article will provide a checklist of steps which you can use to ensure that you get your security deposit returned when your tenancy ends with a property management company in Boston. 

By following these guidelines, you should receive the full amount of your original deposit, and perhaps be able to use that money as a security deposit for your next place of residence.

What is a security deposit?

A security deposit is a dollar amount which is paid to the landlord by a renter, generally equivalent to the first month's rent, although it could be more or less.

It is intended to cover any damage to an apartment, home, or another residence which exceeds wear and tear which might be expected during normal living at the premises. It also serves as a substitute for rent money in the event that a tenant abandons the premises without paying.

What are common reasons for a landlord to withhold a security deposit?

If a tenant skips out without paying the last month's rent, a landlord is well within his rights to keep a security deposit in lieu of that unpaid rent money.

Apart from this, deductions can be made to the deposit amount for anything considered to be above and beyond normal wear and tear during the term of the tenants' residency.

A partial list of deductions from a security deposit may include the following:

• stains or cigarette burns in carpeting or on curtains
• water damage on walls, floors, or furniture
• missing appliances that came with the rental, e.g. microwave oven
• damaged washer/dryer
• damage done to doors or windows
• holes or abrasions on walls, doors, or floors
• excessive damage caused by pets
• abandoned furniture that you decided to leave, the landlord must pay to remove
• excessive filth, which landlord is obliged to clean up prior to next rental

According to Massachusetts State Law

A landlord is entitled to withhold a security deposit when damages beyond normal wear and tear have been sustained by the residence.

The landlord must give the tenant an itemized list of the costs of damage. If a tenant should willfully or maliciously destroy either personal property or real property under the control of the landlord, the security deposit can legally be used to repair the damage.

Security deposits held by a landlord must be maintained in a separate, interest-bearing account for the duration of the tenancy, and a receipt must be provided to the tenant within 30 days of deposit acceptance.

This receipt must include the name and location of the financial institution where the deposit is being held, along with the amount and the account number. If these terms are not complied with by the landlord, immediate return of the security deposit becomes mandatory.

Move Out Checklist to Ensure Return of a Security Deposit

Of course, the most obvious thing you need to do to ensure the prompt refunding of your security deposit is to avoid damaging any part of the residence while you are an occupant.

Assuming you haven't trashed the place somehow, here are other steps you should follow:

• Know the details of your lease - The number one way to lose a security deposit is by violating the terms of your lease, so make sure you have read and understood everything in your lease agreement, and that you abide by those terms during the period of the tenancy.

• Make cleaning a priority - Prior to departure, set aside a day where you conduct a thorough cleaning of the residence, making sure that it has been returned to the same condition, as nearly as possible, as it was when you first occupied it.

• Arrange a Landlord walk-through - Arrange for a walk-through with your landlord, perhaps a week before you intend to leave. At this time, ask about any potential deductions from your deposit, so that you might still have time to remedy them. This should be a courteous exchange between you and your landlord, ideally a session in which you both agree on the condition of the residence, as compared to its original status.

• Document the condition of the residence - Take pictures when you move out to have documentation of the exact state of the residence, should any subsequent disputes arise.

Choose the Right Property Management Company to Ensure Compliance

Choosing the right property management team in Boston ensures that all security deposit matters are dealt with fairly. If you believe that your property management company has not followed the laws for returning a security deposit in Boston, you may need to seek legal help.

Having good conduct as listed above will prevent you from giving the management any reason to hold onto your security.

Preparing for Summer Apartment Turnover in Boston

School's Out for Summer! How to Prepare, as a Tenant or Landlord, for Summer Apartment Turnover in Boston

Many American cities undergo a remarkable transformation as the summer season approaches, but for Boston property management, that changeover is can be quite a drastic changeover.

The primary reason for this notable makeover hinges on the fact that more than 150,000 students are registered in Boston-area learning institutions, and while those numbers swell the city population when school is in session, there is an equal diminution when classes let out.

Apart from all the changes which occur to Boston's daily commerce and its prevailing atmosphere, there are also huge changes in the tenancy of apartment buildings and other student housing facilities in the area. 

In this article, learn how landlords and tenants would be well advised to take steps to prepare for the coming mass exodus in the summer, and to keep an eye on the inevitable fall return.

What should a property manager or tenant do to prepare for Summer vacation?

Tenants will, of course, have to provide landlords with notification about their intentions regarding the premises, i.e. whether you intend to actually leave for the summer, and if so, whether you intend to return in the fall, should the premises still be available. 

According to Massachusetts State Law, when open-ended rental agreements are in effect for three months or longer, a full three month's notice is required to be provided to a landlord. For month-to-month leases, only one month notice is necessary.

Property owners and managers should immediately begin seeking replacement tenants, as soon as current tenant intentions are known. By advertising vacancies at the earliest opportunity, chances become much greater of finding tenants to replace any departing students.

What are the Options for Tenants to Return to the Same Apartment in the Fall? 

It would be ideal to arrange this, since it would eliminate the need to search for suitable accommodations in the fall, as well as help avoid the necessity of removing all your furnishings when you students leave for the summer. 

If you have the financial means to continue the rental agreement during your absence, or you can arrange with another student or friend to serve as a replacement tenant, it could certainly save a great deal of hassle.

In most cases, this would also probably work out very well for landlords, since it would not be necessary to search for replacement tenants. This is especially true when the possibility arises at the end of every semester, and the same requirement of renting the apartment becomes necessary.

Planning in Advance for Extended Leave from an Apartment

In a situation where you are vacating the premises as a tenant, and they will not be occupied until you return in the fall, there are some preparatory steps you should take. 

Checklist for Tenants to Prepare for Summer Vacation

• Turn off utilities like gas and water
• Make sure appliances are all off
• Take out trash and clean dishes
• Stop or redirect mail to your summer place of residence.
• Provide your landlord with your emergency contact information, should there be a need to reach you prior to re-occupation. 
• Arrange with your landlord to pay online, or remit the monthly amounts via postal mail. 

Checklist for Landlords to Prepare for Summer Vacation

• Confirm that all utilities have been turned off for the duration of the tenant's extended absence.
• Make sure you have the correct key for emergency entry according to tenant privacy laws.
• Review with your tenant any potential maintenance that may be upcoming during summer
• Provide your tenant with contacts for Boston property maintenance and emergency support

Enjoy Summer, Prepare for the Fall

By following these simple guidelines for summer preparation, both tenant and landlord can enjoy the summer season equally. 

If both parties take the time to inform themselves of Massachusetts regulations regarding landlord and tenants, misunderstandings should be virtually eliminated, and both will have an understanding of their rights and obligations. 

Enjoy your summer, and come back to watch the autumn transformation take place in the city along the Charles River!

Guide to Purchasing a Property Tax Lien in Boston

How do I purchase Property Tax Liens in Boston?

The condo building development craze in Boston is still going strong in 2016. New condo buildings are being erected and buyers of condo units are attracted to the potential long-term return on investments. It's easy to get caught up in the hype of the numbers game, but before closing on a condo purchase with a lien, you need to do thorough research.

This article will provide you with the Boston property management fundamentals for dealing with condo unit owners who are buying property and refuse to pay common monthly expenses or if you, yourself, are buying the property with priority tax liens.

What is a property tax lien?

Put as simply as possible, a property tax lien is a legal hold put on a property due to outstanding debts or legal issues. This hold prevents the property from being sold or refinanced until the issue is resolved. This lien could be placed on the property owner's tax title account once they are delinquent on monthly condo fee payments, or once the property has been foreclosed.

The government auctions these tax liens, because they would rather get their money back than track down the property owner for the issue or money. Eventually, the property owner will have to pay back the lien - to you! And the benefit is that you will have accrued a percentage of interest for owning that tax lien as it accrues interest over time, just like a savings account in a bank.

If you are a property owner, prevent legal issues by enlisting accredited Boston property maintenance and emergency support to manage your property.

How do I Purchase a Lien at Tax Auctions In Massachusetts?

Thr primary way to purchase a lien on a home is by bidding for a condo at a tax sale, or a tax deed auction. You must pay cash and you will inherit all the risks and associative problems of that legal responsibility when you purchase a tax lien certificate.

When you do your research, pay special attention to the property tax costs and whether the previous owner has some outstanding tax debts owed on the condo.

If you are going to buy a property at a tax auction, be certain about what type of auction you made the purchase at, in order to know your rights and responsibilities.

What kind of interest can I earn from purchasing a tax lien in Boston?

The percentage of interest varies greatly, but interest could reach up to 36% for return on your investment. The Massachusetts Assessing Department sends "ownership information to the Collector -Treasurer, and the Collector-Treasurer mails out quarterly property tax bills on July 1, October 1, January 1 and April 1." - City of Boston

In Massachusetts, tax payments are due within 30 days of the billing and accrue at an interest rate of 14 percent. Priority liens are imposed on the property every quarter of the homeowner association or condo association's fiscal year, and if the taxes are not paid by the end of the fiscal year (June 30), the interest rate jumps up to 16 percent.

What Additional Fees may be Included In a Tax Lien Purchase?

A recent court ruling in the Drummer Boy Association, Inc. vs. Britton case on March 29th upheld what's called a "super-priority lien" that allows a Condominium Association (COA) to extend a lien for longer than a single 6 months period (this had been in effect since 1992), to cover successive 6 month periods. The case is a win for Massachusetts condominium associations, which will sustain future economic stability for one of the remaining statutes of affordable housing in Massachusetts.

Even with this great news, there are still a ton of risks associated with purchasing a priority lien. These mystery charges could all be rolled into the single lien, depending on state laws. In Massachusetts, a COA is allowed to roll the following charges into the super-priority lien:

• legal fees from the court case to make the decision
• collection fees outstanding
• estimates of the past due total cost
• expenses incurred from malpractice of the landlord or tenant
• late fees and miscellaneous fees that have been incurred to the date

 Before investing in the property, it would be wise to contact a real estate attorney for assistance.

Responsibility after Purchasing a Tax Lien

If the taxes are not paid after six months, the property is subject to foreclosure. If you purchase a tax lien at the auction, you are not the owner of the property - you are only the owner of the tax lien.

The property owner will owe the taxes plus the interest on the lien to the lien holder. Therefore, you do not need to pay the homeowner's association fees past due. If you purchase a property at a foreclosure auction you are liable for all outstanding liens against the property you purchased.

Final Thoughts

Tax liens tend to be very complex, so always conduct diligent research prior to making an investment towards a new property, or a tax lien. If you are looking to accrue payments via interest from another buyer, then you can make a substantial profit from the sale. Or if you continue to keep the property, the value of the property will certainly appreciate in the Boston housing market, which continues to boom at an all-time high.

Have you thought about investing in a property, or have you ever dealt with being delinquent on payments to your COA or HOA monthly fees? Tell us your thoughts.

A Guide to Tenant Privacy in Boston, MA

This article is a brief description of tenant vs. landlord rights and the importance of honoring tenant privacy upon entering a rental unit.

Best Practices for Tenant Privacy and Communication in Boston

Landlords and property managers have to deal with multiple tenants for their rental unit work orders and repairs on a daily basis.

Sometimes landlords feel the need to check on multiple units to make sure all units are running smoothly. Although they may be exposing their ardent nature as a landlord, this helicopter approach could be a breach of privacy.

It's imperative for a landlord or property manager to have effective communication methods or technology installed for tenants to place work orders. If you don't have this installed, this could leave a wide margin of error for when the tenant is expecting you to arrive at their rental unit.

Whether they are dealing with the landlord, or property management company on behalf of the landlord, showing up to a unit unexpectedly can be problematic for the landlord.

Respecting the Tenant's Privacy Is The Key To a Successful Investment

You would be surprised at the percentages of tenants and landlords who don't have a clue about the Massachusetts state laws about Tenant vs. Landlords Rights. Not knowing their rights could be the cause of much acrimony and insincerity felt in tenant-to-landlord relationships.

Details about Tenant Privacy in Boston

Possession of a master key does not give the property management team staff members, nor the landlord, the right to walk into an apartment without notice. Review this list of examples and facts about tenant privacy to mitigate the risk of increasing legal drama from the lack of communication between the property owner and the renter:

• Tenants should screen the property manager/landlord, and vice versa. This is an important first step for tenants know how a landlord and their property management team members are for arriving and handling work orders for their rental units. As they are researching the tenant in a background check through former residences, tenants can use software programs to review the history of property management companies and landlords.

• Learn about the state laws on tenant privacy.  Many states have laws limiting landlords access rental privacy. As a tenant or landlord, it is your personal responsibility to learn about the Mass. state laws in the event of a dispute. The more knowledge you have about the permissible and impermissible reasons for landlord entry, as well as the required amount of notice, the more prepared you will be when enforcing your privacy rights.

• Never sign a lease with a tenant privacy waiver. A diligent tenant and a responsible property manager or landlord will always look for the inclusion of this important waiver in a lease. For example, if a landlord walks in on a tenant to carry out a work order request, but the tenant is not ready for the appointment in their rental unit due to lack of communication, then there will be guaranteed confusion and frustration between the tenant and landlord. Most state laws require at least 48 hours of notice to the tenant about the landlord or property management team's arrival time. Tenants should expect the landlords to only show up during their business hours that corresponds with the office hours of the property management office. If a landlord shows up with less than one day's notice, is not good for the reputation of the property.

• Notify the property owner about any negligence of the property staff.  The property owner or landlord mord may not know what his or her manager is doing unless you speak up. There are cases of property staff who come into the rental units unannounced.  Every tenant has the right to respect and consideration when entering their personal space. Supers, landlords, maintenance workers, or property managers are never allowed to simply walk in and scare their tenants of their unit. All tenants have a right to feel safe and secure in their home.

• Always put everything in writing when you deal with your tenant and landlord. Whether it be via email, SMS text,  printed, hand-delivered, or handwritten correspondence, it is essential to have all complaints and requests recorded between landlords and tenants. That way, you both know what you signed up for going into this business relationship.

• Review tenant rights listed in the Move-In Checklist, together. All landlords are require to hand a tenant a move-in guide at the beginning of their signed lease term. This should give the tenant information about renters insurance (or flood insurance, if they are moving into a ground floor unit), garbage pick-up days, and detailed information about their tenant privacy rights.

• Remember to communicate about extended vacations. If a tenant has been in seclusion or has left their unit for a long time without notice, then some states give landlords the right to enter if they discover the tenant is not around. Landlords are encouraged to include some guidelines in the lease to avoid an unauthorized entry, asking tenants to alert management of a vacation so necessary repair can continue uninhibited. Tenants who leave to paradise in the winter, remember to turn off the heat in winter, drain the pipes, and secure the windows. 

• Rent payments cannot be withheld after an unauthorized entry from landlord. This only makes legal drama steamroll more than it should. Court orders can be very time-consuming and can throw a monkey wrench in the tenant-landlord relationship. Property managers have long memories about their tenants in their units, so you don't want to initiate a legal fracas over a minor lack of miscommunication that can be easily resolved. 

• Tenants can only change doorlocks with the landlord's consent. Mysteriously changed locks often prevent work orders from being done. Property managers differ greatly in their rules about changing locks on the unit, but it could be as simple as handing over the new key.

Final Thoughts on Tenant Privacy

It's a two-way street between the tenant and landlord: The landlord has to show respect to the tenant at all times, and vice versa, regardless if their previous dealings were extremely negative.

Have you ever been pushed so far to the point where you feel like you have no privacy in your rental unit? If you are a property owner, have you ever dealt with a tenant who lived unsatisfactorily for you to keep in your unit, and want to evict them immediately? Tell us your thoughts. 

Importance of Cleaning Your Condo Building

January 1st marks new beginning for all who are looking to update their lifestyle & business operations. We all set ourselves out to have resolutions because we know old habits die hard. 

 A New Year's Resolution for Property Owners

Property management and condo cleaning fall into this category. It's essential to add value and keep tenants feeling secure about the fact they have a reliable property management team that always prepares for the coming months to start the year.

To discuss the importance of condo cleaning to start 2016, we compiled a short bucket list to get landlords and property owners what they need to do to make their building and its tenants feel refreshed for a successful 2016.

5 Ways to Improve Your Business Operations

Cleaning does not only mean to wipe down windows and mopping hallways floors in your building. It also means to have quality information updated in your business records, and online human engagement.

Not all property owners are expected to be tech savvy. 

Understand that consumers need a sense of tangibility in order to feel like they are involved in their purchases. In the case of rental operations and real estate, this applies to tenants who have made the decision to set up their living quarters within your condo building.

Effective communication methods is the crux of our suggested resolutions for 2016.

This improves the tenant-to-property owner relationship feel trustworthy and prompt, not having to wait numerous days or weeks before problems get resolved.

Whether they are renting or bought the condo outright, their sense of tangibility comes in the form of these resolutions:

• Frequent Website Updates - You will need to update your website at least once a week or whenever their is a change in your operation and regulations for your tenants to take note of. This not only connects the tenant and landlord faster via mobile devices. A great way to stand out to your tenants is how progressive your service is by using an online community builder. 

Visit our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, pages to see our strategy.

• Cleaning and Decorating With Seasonal Appeal - Make sure that if the Holidays are over, don't wait until March to take down your Christmas decor in the building. Send out information  about live Christmas tree collections for recycling, and take down Holiday lighting and ornaments down as January 1st comes. Update each se

• Enact a No-Smoking Plan - If you are the type of landlord who is lenient towards having pets in your rental units, you should implement a non-smoking environment. This will help keep the walls in your units from yellowing with nasty nicotine stains on them. Especially if you have carpets, just like your lungs, they will suffer and smell tremendously from the second-hand smoke. This also reduces the chance of halloween disaster stories and other holidays in the building or on the property grounds.

• Reward Tenants For Their Compliance - If a higher condo fee is assessed for the new year, or if your tenants have collectively helped you receive a government-subsidized rebate check for reducing your energy costs with sustainable property management, reward them for being a tenant. The best ways to carry this rewarding out is to promote prizes to them like flowers on each tenant's birthday, or hold a toy drive for the children in the building, or picnics in the spring and summer months. 

• Fire Safety - There were many stories of fires happening in condos the past few years in the Boston area in Allston, Brighton, Cambridge, and the Back Bay Area. Make sure that the fire safety regulations are either printed and given to the tenants every time they begin a new lease, and/or sent to them via email.

Final Thoughts on Cleaning your Condo Building

New Years resolutions can be hard to maintain once you make them. But with the right property management team, you can stay motivated to uphold your promise for updating your images, business, and character online and offline.

Have you created your own list of New Years resolutions? Do they match up to our list?

Tell us how you have used New Years resolutions and cleaning to push your tenant's lifestyle and condo building's image forward.

Why Emerging Technologies Always Win For Property Management

Why "Property Management" Rhymes With "Technology" Today

Cyber Monday is a day for great discount deals on tech products. But we should observe the impact of technology in the property management industry as well. In an ever-changing industry like property management, the means for advancement will be based on the rate at which information can be compiled with great customer service.

Information is the most prized possession in all industries. Accessibility with top quality software tools to attain data and the right personnel for a property management company will give them an edge over their competition in the real estate market. You will make life easier for yourself and your tenants by using web-based applications, research software, and messaging systems that help them stay updated as well as resolve issues including water heater installations, new parking requirements, fire emergencies, moving days, illegal tenants warnings, repair updates, board member voting meetings, and new lighting in the building.

With social media and other web-based applications that can manage live chats, there is no excuse for a property management to not regulate their operations with higher results of success.

Marketing via Social Media: Technically Fast, Less Furious Tenants

Technology increases the response rate and efficient communication methods for tenants to know what is coming from the residential property management team. Without it, your tenants will be trapped feeling like prisoners in your building from potential problems that arise. Do you want them to wait for a crew to get to their problem with a delayed response? The matter could be urgent and need immediate attention. If not, it could potentially cost lives and more money than you can afford to fix. 

Here are some examples of those problems:

• Broken thermostats- Nobody likes to deal with Boston winters with just a blanket, sweats, and seeing their own breath inside the house. A quick fix to thermostats can make a big difference for tenants who don't know how to fix a thermostat. But if you have social media and someone on a 24-hour call from the property management crew, you can address this issue immediately, instead of having to wait a day or two. With technology, you can also track the heating systems in all your units in a centralized database so you know which ones have recurring issues.

• Trash days- Tenants tend to forget what days the trash goes out after their September 1st move-in to their unit. Being connected with your tenants, you send them a reminder about the trash day and help make the garbage in your place go away for the week.

• Flood watches- If you have a basement floor that is below the ground level, it's good to let your tenants know that there is a pending flood watch. You can help them take precautions by sending a text message alert sent to their mobile devices. If the property management is connected online via social media with their tenants, they can let them know immediately by that means.

• Water shutoffs- Sometimes the Department of Public Works may be doing some street work that affects the water in the units of your building. That could affect a tenant who showers in the morning and make them late for work because they either forgot or didn't see the postings in the lobby or the hallway about the date and time. Of course, your tenant didn't plan accordingly, but they could have if they had gotten a reminder message about it the day prior to the shutoff via email, text, or on their social media channels from the management.

• Fire Emergencies- We have all heard crazy stories that will make you scream of people getting trapped inside their apartment unit or condo during a fire because they didn't get the message in time to evacuate the building. When it comes to these situations, you should make sure that all of your tenants get a message on their mobile devices for points of egress in the building. Implementing a centralized contact database of your tenants and units into an emergency alert SMS chain that can be made similar to an AMBER ALERT message can be a life saver.

These are just ideas of what can be dire situations that can be avoided by being connected as much as possible via Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, or whatever can give you an instant message. Also, social media can market your units to potential new tenants, and showcase the luxury or image that you are putting forth on a site like Pinterest and Instagram for them to leave comments and share your posts.

Recordkeeping and Reducing Error In Management

Recordkeeping is the means of knowing what someone needs and to track their history. When you have the right property management system in place, you can reduce the double entry of information after uploading reports from exported data. This is how you can track percentage increases and decreases in various areas of the business; accounting and rent collection, work orders, hiring personnel, screening tenants, and retention versus new leases signed to fill the units. 

Convenience of Payments

Having people pay their rent online via your property management software can help automate payments from your tenants. Direct debits to their accounts can save you the hassle of chasing a tenant down for a check. Especially if the check is mailed one to an away address, if the owner or landlord of the building does not live there.

Final Thoughts

What type of experiences have you had as a tenant or landlord that either saved yourself a headache, your money, or your life when dealing with issues that come forth by usage of technology? Has this added expense made a difference in your operations?

Tell us some of your examples that made life easier and faster for you and your tenants. 

Property Management Halloween Stories That Will Make You Scream

Not for the faint of heart! This blog contains graphic scenes and images. 

Halloween is the time of year in which we have the most fun with our decorations.

But tenants who are not pleased with the operations, or those who have been delinquent in their monthly rental payments and soon to leave while breaking their lease can be problematic.

It’s integral to have a great property management service who can curb the horrors of dealing with these mishaps. Have you heard stories of spine-tingling creatures living in the crevices of your tenant's units?

Or the jaw-dropping tales of fire suddenly ripping a large condo or apartment building to shreds while fate cuts a tenant’s life short for sleeping and not waking up to the emergency?

We will give three horrific, spine-tingling instances of landlords and tenants that show you the benefits of hiring an experienced property manager.

Lack of Quality Property Management Lets the Bed Bugs Bite

Bed bugs can make your home uninhabitable.

We all know the adage, "Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite."

If you have ever figured that they are not in your bed, you may be gravely mistaken.

And if you don't have a quality property manager who can send for an exterminator or their crew to curb this problem right away, you may be in for many "bite-mares" from bed bugs.

These creatures can seem invisible can reproduce their larvae in your sheets, walls, couches, and wooden table. The life cycle of a bed bug is fairly short, but they can feed every 10 minutes.

Once they band together, they can make your belongings looks ultimately scary, causing you, tenants and their guests, and potential condo buyers to not want to return to your building or apartment complex. 

These are ghoulish creatures have the ability to invisibly seep their way into your skin! Also, the Board of Inspections could potentially shut down your apartment or condominium complex, which lead to an underwater mortgage.

You don't want these to show up in neither you nor your tenant's dreams. Imagine waking up to hearing the phone calls from tenant's screaming in your ear about the crawling dirty mite-sized bugs everywhere. Then, noticing once you get in bed, those bed bugs have destroyed your mattress.

Here is a shocking and gruesome video of what happens if you don’t attack bed bugs quickly enough:

Burning Down The House

You may have tenants or neighbors who have Halloween parties every year. You should learn how to manage large parties in Boston for your property. If you don't, it's safe to assume there will be some damage done that could not only cost you more than you budgeted for, but could also put lives in danger.

Here is an instance in which the tenant was hosting a party where guests were smoking inside their condo unit.

Home infernos can spark simply from a neglected cigarette butt.

One of the party guests flicked their cigarette out the window, but it was a windy night. Mysteriously, the wind blew the still lit cigarette butt back into the room and landed on dry plant.

The party made it's way into another room for about a half hour, and the cigarette sent the plant up into flames. It resulted in a major fire with flames engulfing the entire apartment.  

Evacuation due to fire.

There are two missteps that happened: 

1. There was no established and effective communication system with the landlord for tenants to can contact them during emergencies.

2. All condo owners did not have a condo insurance policy in place.

Landlords and fellow tenants should know that investing in a condo or renter's insurance plan and good lawyers to make sure that items are replaceable, and not get a lawsuit from tenants in case their stuff gets stolen.

Pumpkin statue: "These pranksters killed our 'boo-tiful' setup!"

Pranks For The Memories

Halloween night pranks such as setting a lawn on fire, burning poop bags on front porches, and smashing pumpkins will really make you think twice before putting out other ornaments for your home in the future.

It is safe to assume there will be kids in the neighborhood looking for a good laugh at your property's expense.  

Another story comes during the night before Halloween, also known as "Mischief Night" or "Cabbage Night." 

Some pesky vandalizers who loved to trash other people's yards, front steps, or scare residents just to add to the Halloween spirit are just that— mean spirited. 

In one neighborhood on the Day of the Dead, which begins Halloween Night and ends on November 2nd, these violators decided that they wanted to place a dead deer carcass hanging from the tree in someone's front lawn.

Tenants may be complacent and not report these types of vandalism cases because they simply don't care. But you cannot take the same stance of complacency and need to act quickly to curtail these types of scenarios. 

If you are a landlord living outside of the town or city that your property is located, and do not have a high quality property management team hat can check the premises in the days leading up to Halloween, you will lose home value and risk a bad reputation as a landlord. 

The best way to protect your property on Cabbage Night is to have the budget for a property management team to check your property grounds daily during the month of October when you put out Fall and Halloween decorations. 

If you have ever had issues in the past with this, make sure that you have your communication methods in place with your tenants to email, text, contact you via your most active social media channels, or call you immediately if they see anything that has been vandalized on the property.

Final Thoughts

Halloween is supposed to be fun for all. But it's not so fun when your tenants have to come home to these types of situations. Having the means to help maintain your property's value and reliable services can make a huge difference with managing your tenants.

Have you ever dealt with vandalism on your property, pranks in your apartment building, or dead animals that tenants and real estate agents have been scared out of their wits by? Share with us some of your horrible experiences so we can help you come up with future solutions.