WARNING – KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND PETS said every bottle of cleaner I grabbed to take with me yesterday to clean a suddenly vacated rental unit we own.
On my list of to-dos was to clean windows soaked with smoke residue remnants layered there for decades.
Ew. Sounds like a perfect social-distancing project, eh? Jealous, aren’t you?
Smoking kills, don’t people get that? Sorry to those who choose to smoke, but seriously …
Twice, in our tenure being landlords, a renter has passed away in one of the rental units. One female several years ago, it’s hard to remember back to then, life has been a blur since and it sure was then when we were renovating the unit.
Perhaps it was all the fumes I inhaled from the cleaning agents I used to spiff up the place? It was Spring then, and my heart still bleeds knowing she died alone. She was a kind soul.
And April this year, years later, a 67-year-old male passed away. He had Stage 4 lung cancer and likely died of COVID-19, we’re not sure, his roommate ditched him when the virus scares this spring started? The renter’s extended family said his death was ‘sudden’.
Both renters had a few things in common. They were heavy drinkers and heavy smokers succumbing to death in their late 60’s. Oh, and they both had lots of clutter and tended to do things to the apartments on their own outside of the lease agreement.
The male, along with a previous renter had modified the basement and garage into rooms and a cottage. I checked the lease agreement and it does not give permission to do so. But, I’m just the landlord, so, um … I guess they felt it was okay to do so. They made their own rules.
Fortunately, both were faithful in paying rent, except for the month they passed away. The female told us more than once over the years, “I love it here, I’ll die here before moving out.”
Okay … I admit it, she did keep her word.
And, their families, who were responsible for emptying the places after they died, both felt it was best to leave the places in a mess with no rent payment to be ‘found’ in the belongings left behind.
Lease Term (the “Property”) Tenant agrees to lease the Property for a fixed term of 6 months, beginning __________________ and ending __________________. Upon expiration, this Agreement shall be automatically renewed, without notice from either party, on identical terms, except that it shall be a month-to-month tenancy.
Coincidentally, both places had pets that we weren’t aware they had. The female had ferrets (which is by far the most disgusting and worst pet EVER!) and cats – all of them defecated and urinated everywhere. That place took a long time to renovate.
The current place we’re renovating stinks like smoke and has seen better days. Apparently, he had a cat or two at one time or another? He never paid a pet deposit or told us about the cats. The trails left behind in the carpet told us so.
The 40-year-old carpet in the living room had been cleaned before he moved in, we think? We’re not sure, we inherited him as a renter when we took over managing the units a couple of decades ago. Anyhoo – it’s 1970s original and it had to go, there was no way in h*ll it would’ve been able to be cleaned.
The moisture stains, the mold, and the disgusting dust left behind under the carpet made my skin crawl and Mr. to don a mask. The COVID-19 scares couldn’t even do that, so yeah, this kind of stuff is scary.
As I watched Mr. do the dirty deed, with a cloth in my hand, all wet with Windex, I think the job I had of cleaning the windows was easy compared to carpet removal! Except I only got one cleaned while he tore up a whole room of carpet. Perhaps it was due to grabbing the camera instead …
Post Inspiration – Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “directions.” Find a household cleaner/bottle of shampoo/something in the freezer/anything you can find with instructions on it, then copy down a single direction (just one) on how to use/cook/etc. your chosen thing, and make it the first line or word of your post. Then keep writing whatever comes out. Have fun! And check out Tina’s prompt for Lens-Artists#95 – All Wet.
PS – What fun social-distancing projects have you been up to? In our state in the US, yesterday it appeared people are tired of the stay-at-home order, the traffic has picked up, the home improvement store was packed and the gas prices in one week went from $1.19 to $1.39. And … in case I’m slow in responding to comments, as you can see, the project in front of me easily occupies my time. Stay well, stay safe, and enjoy the fresh air! 😉
Whew, dirty job. We had a beautiful day here, yesterday–rain before and rain today–and so EVERYBODY was out. Evidently, there was a miles-long backup to get into the local nursery for plants and mulch. We didn’t leave our town, but did notice a huge influx of motorcyclists en route to our town’s more casual restaurant, which is doing takeout. Not a mask in sight! The boys and I went for a bike ride–we keep our distance and don’t wear masks for that. But, Friday night, I ventured out to get fast food and was very careful–in fact our restaurants require everyone to have a mask on. The fast food was worth it, a real treat after doing so much cooking! And yesterday afternoon I took a writing class, online, that would have been in person–and states away–before this coronavirus. So, I’m trying to look at the positives. Good luck getting your place cleaned and ready for the next–hopefully cleaner–tenant!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Rebecca! Yes, a dirty job indeed. I always like the end of these projects, it’s fun to see a place all cleaned up and ready for the next ‘I’ll be a nice and clean’ renter!
Wow – it sounds like your area was as busy as our area. We haven’t yet done take out, but a lot of people are doing so here. It was interesting to count so many cars going by on Sunday, and then on Monday – it was back down to ‘working-from-home-no-cars-out-and-about’ mode.
You’re always so good at looking at the positives, that’s one of the reasons I enjoy following you and your blog! 🙂
Thanks, Shelley. My natural default is to whine, so I’m glad you can see that I do try to look at the positives! I’ll want to see pics when you get your rental all spic and span! At least you’re able to see the inside of a different house–I’m getting cabin fever around here!
You’re welcome! You’re such a upbeat person to me, even if you’re going stir crazy!! Isn’t it funny how we can now go to our property, but when it was occupied it would’ve been against the stay-at-home order. PS – I love the kneading dough school lesson you did with your kids, that made me smile!! 🙂
Good luck getting rid of the previous tenant’s “memories” – as the current Home Depot ad calls them. Hopefully, there a damage deposit you can lay claim to.
LOL – that’s an interesting way to put it – memories! Sadly, the deposit is non-existent, same as the rent payment for the month. 🙁 It’ll all go as a ‘loss’ on taxes for next year.
Sigh…
I feel for you, but please be careful cleaning.
Thank you, Alice, I appreciate your well wishes.
It’s ridiculous the tenants made the changes without consulting you guys! Maybe your contract can include your right to an inspection every so often? It’s so sad they passed alone.
Yeah, it is ridiculous. You’d be amazed at the wiring they did too!?! WOW. It’s sad when people die alone, that’s for sure.
So much for contracts! What an awful scene – hopefully the mold wasn’t too invasive. That’s a tough one to remove on your own. Good luck and stay safe.
I think we’ll need to read the lease agreements with the next renter?! The overall smell in the place makes it hard to determine if it’s mold or smoke. We’re trying some treatments to see what works. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
You’re welcome. Good luck. Maybe next time make it a No Smoking place? Not sure if that’s possible though.
Thank you – this renter was one that came with the place. Since we took over, we always say it is a non-smoking place, and they always agree to not smoking, until we leave and then … well the residue speaks volumes as to how well they stuck to their agreement 😉
I cannot imagine how icky this project must have been in real life. Reading and seeing it here was yucky enough. Will you be suing the former tenants for violating the terms of the contract? [Please note I come from a family with lawyers coming at me from both sides + married to one, so naturally that is where my mind goes.]
Ah, yes, it is icky indeed! The former tenants have long since moved on and the family of the guy who passed away said, “We have no access to any of his funds, we couldn’t even find his checkbook.” Essentially, “Your problem, not mine.” My gut tells me that isn’t so, but it would cost more to pay an attorney to pursue it any further. This opportunity does give us chance to ‘update’ the place, while we wait for a renter who has a job in order to pay for the rent. Whenever that will be is another mystery to be solved. 😉
Hey, this is America!! Nobody tells us what to do!! Rules? Screw ’em!! If I can get away with it, that’s their problem!!!
Not yet the majority, perhaps, as all the fine things folks are doing for each other during this pandemic crisis, but just enough to make things so much harder for the rest of us! In the apt above me, the teen-ager decided to take up the guitar, amplified!
Who would let a kid do that in an apartment building?? I complained, and apparently so did someone else — he muffled it 75%. I still feel sorry for the dog!
Ellen – I’m so happy to hear from you!! LOL – yes, indeed. Rules appear to be bendable depending upon circumstances.
Yesterday as we walked back and forth from the apartment (6 miles round trip) we counted in just one mile stretch over 70 cars – the ‘rule’ or guidance to stay-at-home appeared to be relaxed by those who are done with the idea of it.
Hmm … We’ve never screened for music hobbies in our renters, we do advertise the places as “quiet” so perhaps that has worked to discourage noise makers to apply? I’m glad to read the kid has toned down his guitar playing for you – that would be a real pain to listen to!
So sorry you are having to deal with the nastiness of people. It is always amazing to me how nasty we can be. Hopefully the next will be a little more considerate.
Thank you, Anita. We are thankful the family did empty the place, except for really huge and disgusting appliances that cost to dispose of. Sigh. We’re hoping to find a nice renter, as always, we’re concerned about renting now since the ‘stay-at-home’ order says landlords can’t evict if someone loses their job and can’t pay rent. That used to be the only reason we could evict. It’ll take us a while to finish this project, so hopefully life will get back to more
normal status by then.
What a job. No wonder you have been MIA from the blogosphere. I think I would have hired someone to come and do it. We are shelter-in-place until the end of May but they are starting to relax a few regulations. Golfers can golf.
Yes, it’s a big job and why I’m mostly MIA from blogging. We have most of the tools to do the jobs, all of them accumulated over the years of other renovations. We used to have more energy, though. Most of the construction workers here have been considered essential after the first couple weeks of the stay-at-home order. The store that we buy supplies from has been so busy it’s hard to tell that they are restricting any shopping.
Yeah, golfers can golf here too. Priorities, I guess! 😉 I hope you’re well and safe and still getting out to walk your pup! 🙂
I’m not doing anything that interesting. Good luck with it…
Thanks, John! If you’re bored, I can give you directions – there’s plenty of mini-projects to do 😉
I’m not sure I could handle them…
LOL 🙂 It takes years to get use to the drill!
Oh Shelley, I do not envy you being a landlord in cases like this, where someone has left a mess. It’s sad he died alone, but wow, what he left behind…the smoke smell alone would make me gag.
I hope you are doing well, staying safe and enjoying the nice days that come your way.
Thank you, Mary. We heard that his nephew was there when he passed, the female, though, was alone and found 3 days after her death.
The smoke smell is gagging. And each layer of carpet, and wall smoke we remove, it is starting to smell less baggy.
We are getting lots of fresh air in between cleaning sessions. We haven’t gotten our bikes out yet, but we hope to soon! I hope you’re hitting the trails and having a great spring. Take care and be safe!
When I was young and a renter, I had no idea what went into being a landlord. I was a good tenant, but I always assumed they had a ton of money and, of course, the rent was too high. Then, I met my future husband who had rental property and, eventually, I became a landlord myself when I rented out my condo. The best days ever were the days we sold our rental property and stopped being landlords. Maybe with your next tenants you can arrange a monthly inspection of the premises (I’m just sort of kidding).
Ah, yes, being a renter is the easy part. Landlords don’t have ton of $, I can tell you that for a fact. Our two daughters learned how to be good renters by watching what our renters did to us over the years. When we talk about letting them take over the family business, they say, “Um, no, that’s okay – you can sell them!” I’m not sure, but right now, I think I’d be more stressed if I saw each place on a regular basis. 😉 I do like your best days advice 🙂 That’ll be us when we’re ready to retire, I hope!!
There were times in my past when I thought being a landlord would be a good way to make side money. But my dad (who had been a landlord) convinced me otherwise. Then I had a boss who was a landlord and his stories really gave me pause. This seals the casket, so to speak. You guys are braver than I. WOW. But you clearly had some reliable, long term renters. So there is that. 🙂
LOL – we have lots of friends who have considered landlording too – then we share some of our horror stories, coincidentally, only one ventured into landlording. Quit 2 years later. When all the units are rented, with paying tenants (that’s not always the case) and there are no problems, it is nice passive income. There really hasn’t been many years where we have had a full year of that dream state ;-). The long-term renters are nice to have. Until they move out, then we realize why they paid on time and never complained. They didn’t want us to visit. 😉
Carpeting just isn’t worth all the stuff that comes with it. I hope you and the Mr. ad taking good care of yourselves and taking long breaks with fresh air in between these cleaning days.
I agree with you JoAnna – carpeting is a pain. Removing tack strips is too. The more we ‘remove’ the bad, the bigger the project gets! We are walking to and from the place, a good 6 miles of fresh air and exercise helps relieve the stress and renew our lungs from the smells ;-). I hope you are well and safe!!
I’m glad to know you’re getting all that fresh air. My mom used to say it helps you sleep good. 🙂
Your mom was a wise lady, she taught you well :-)!
Wow – they did a lot while you were not looking – next time you draw up a contract, better make a video of you or Mister reading it and ensure they watch it so that they can’t say they didn’t read the fine print!
Yes, they did! A video … hmm … that’s an interesting idea!
Yes, I’m thinking a video of you reading the contract might work better … or even better, using the pictures you showed in your post of what NOT to do. Better than using fine print which most people don’t/won’t read.
Good thinking! I could put together a book on ‘what not to do’ with all my pictures!!
Yes, do it in a funny way … just print it out and have it copied at a print shop and it might reinforce the idea if they see what not to do … kinda like show-n-tell.
Theres nothing worse than deep cleaning. But to strip it down and clean it is the best thing to do. Not just for spring clean hygiene , safety reasons but for cross infection too. If the renter had covid 19 then you need to deep clean as were not sure how its spread. And if its mold on the walls wear a mask too use bleach to clean and loads of soapy water. Wear gloves too and change your clothes each day. On the wards in the UK if a patient is infectious we clean the whole room down from the walls to the equipment. Its split between nursing and domestic staff to clean. Good luck and I think you will get it slick and span. X
Yeah, it’s a big job and a needed job. I’m dreading the bathroom, I always do though. Thank you for all your advice, I shall put it to good use as we conquer this huge project! 🙂
Glad to help 😀 You could jet wash the bathroom lol 🤣🤣🤣 Seriously you could steam clean too.
Hmm … I hadn’t thought of the steam cleaning option for the floor. It’s so nasty … wonder if that would work!? Or if the steam machines are all rented out for the virus cleaning?
I have a steam mop no attachments to it yet. But it’s great getting muck of the floors. I use it alternating between using a traditional mop using zoflora disinfectant.I wonder if you could get a steam mop with attachments online.
Interesting – I’ll have to check that out. I know we have a Rug Doctor, but we’ve never tried it on anything but floors and steps.
What’s the rug doctor like on the floors?
It works really well! It’s been a life saver for us in between renters (aka, the ones that don’t smoke!).
Wow, this definitely makes me want to be a landlord – not. What do you think the thing laying in your garden was? An ancient bird? Pretty creepy.
I just read one of your old posts about 10 things you did wrong on your blog – I was going to leave a comment but it was probably closed because so old. I’ve never been able to change my font either!! I hate it. I bet if I paid more money . . . anyway, I like your blog because it’s honest and I can relate to the things you’re writing about. Definitely – you can’t choose your topics for ratings, stars or likes, the fun of blogging is writing about what interests you and hopefully like minded others will find you. Have a good day!.
LOL – I wouldn’t recommend landlording to anyone unless you’re into this kind of stuff. It is great passive income when every place is rented and the tenants are clean.
Thanks for going back to read an old post. Yeah, that font thing still gets me. I appreciate your words of encouragement for my blog. I enjoy your blog for the same reasons – I’m thankful our paths have crossed here in the blogosphere!
I hope you have a wonderful day too!
Oh, Shelley. What a lot of work! I feel for you!
Thank you, Patti – yes, it’s a lot of work.