New in February tenants stop by to pay rent and it was a pretty day, so they sat on my front porch and talked for a few minutes. During the course of the conversation, she noticed my Beware of Boxer sign in window and asked if I had a Boxer? I said, "No, he died, I just haven't taken down the sign, was thinking of getting another one but I'm getting too old to housebreak a puppy."

Then she said, "I want a dog." He said, a big dog, she said a little dog." I didn't say anything at the moment but as the chat continued, he mentioned that he had changed all of the locks. We were discussing the neighbor setting a fire during the burning ban hours, and the fire dept having to come, this is a wooded area.

So I discussed all of this with my DH as he wasn't here at the time and told him that we needed to address both problems, in writing, to leave a paper trail.

So, this morning, we drafted an e-mail outlining our decision to stick with the lease and no pets were allowed except what we'd agreed to in their application (1 chinchilla, caged). (They work long shifts at local state prison) I also advised them of our need for a key to the front door so we can enter in the event of an emergency. Waiting to see how this plays out. Ho Hum........

Started off pleasant, thanking them for the rent and said I was glad they were enjoying the place, then went to the business at hand.

I know most of you would have handled it at the moment?

You’ve been a landlord a long time. Has this worked for you in the past? These types of things have worked for me, so I’d put it in writing and have a chat. But, that’s me. Neither of these are deal-breakers for me.

I will agree that the best, easy tenants bought houses after covid, so what we have are the ‘they’re tenants for a reason people.’

As prison guards, they are extra vigilant about security, as being threatened by ‘baddies’ at work is occupational hazard. A couple of my nephews became prison guards; changed their view of people.

I’d suggest to these tenants to get a security system with cameras that report to their phones, like Ring. There are other brands, I’m familiar with Ring.

I was thinking the same as RB. For one, no way in H3ll would I have a tenant at my house, nor would I engage in small talk with them. That ALWAYS ends up with “oh yea can you look at this, this and this?”

I was on the front porch paying/talking to my handyman that had come back from fixing a leak at a rental. These folks live one street over from us (country roads). Its a rural community, everybody knows most everybody else. I'm not quitting yet, I'd miss my 6 figure income, you need it in this economy. They are young, I think it is mostly training they need.

1) There is NO WAY I would have a tenant at my house.

2) Our lease stated that the locks cannot be changed. I'd send a cure notice to put them back or be evicted. (Did you change the locks between tenants?)

3) I would NOT have handled it at the moment...better to get your thoughts together and do it IN WRITING. But be clear and firm.

Hoosier, these kids work 12 hour shifts, SAME shift. No dog should be in a crate that long, or be left in a house to pee and poop & tear up stuff out of boredom.

I need to change lease to say CANNOT change locks. But if they get smart, I'll just tell them, they are renting it, they did not buy it, we have a right to a key.

No to the dog for sure as they will not be able to take care of it properly.

End of last year I had a tenant change locks. I told her that was a lease violation. She said the key wasn't working right and she was worried about safety.

I had to go there to look at a fridge problem. She taped the key to the front door. Talk about high end security.

I also live in a small area. Unfortunately a couple tenants have an idea of where I live. One asked about it because she saw me setting up decorations around Halloween. I admit I was ready to lie to her but she said she figured it was my parent's place, or maybe my oldest kids.

Jason, I want my tenants to say, oh, can you look at this and this. But, with my small amount of rentals, I view my tenants as partners in property maintenance. A tenant that reports when things aren't working quite right is what I prefer.

That is why the lock change wouldn't bother me. I'd just need them to explain why they felt they needed it, and give me a key AND the old locks. I take my locks to a locksmith between tenancies to change the keys, old keys are recycled into scrap metal bin. Those who use Landlord locks are accomplishing the same, without involving the locksmith. I tell new tenants at key-handover that I don't re-use keys, so any old keys floating around won't work. I have heard some locks can be 'bumped' easily, though I don't know which brands are susceptible.

Busy,

Bumping locks isn't as easy as some you tubers make it out to be, same with picking a lock. I can do both, but not like they do on TV.

I swap locks out at every turnover, no matter who lived there or for how long. I do not toss the keys tho. I keep them with the locks and rotate them to another open property. Unless the properties are next door, you shouldn't have a problem, in my opinion.

This way you don't have to go to the smith. I rekey my own, but it saves time having locks in reserve to just swap out. Once they start looking old I replace them.

Used to master key everything. I still keep a book in the truck with all the keys which are coded instead of having physical addresses.

If I know I am going to have contractors and such coming and going I now use a lockbox. I will use a keyed lock that is just for that occasion. Once the place is rented out I swap the locks out with a set that I mark for that property.

Landlord Locks is a great concept, although a bit pricey. At the last convention Sean nearly had us convinced to start swapping for them. But I have a lot of locks in stock. I also just bought maybe 20 new sets at auction that I can swap as old ones look bad. I got these for more than half of retail costs.