BUILDING SYSTEMS
Select an article from the list below.
Accommodating
the Disabled Tenant.
A very good thumbnail sketch of what is required of landlords by way of
“accommodation” to disabled tenants under the Fair Housing Act.
Air
Conditioning Disconnect Switches. Did you know that by law your
air conditioning unit must have a readily accessible disconnect switch?
Read this article on what the code requires.
Are You
Haunted By Carpet Ghosts? Carpet ghosts are discolorations that mysteriously appear in new
carpeting, particularly lighter colored material. It is most
noticeable in newer construction but can appear anywhere and shows up
first at doorways and along walls. This describes what causes this
phenomenon and how to deal with it when your tenant complains that the new
carpet is “no good.”
Blacktop
And Beyond.
This article, really a collection of pages, outlines driveway repair and
replacement options.
Choosing
the Right Model.
A handy calculator for selecting the right size water heater for
the rental unit.
Clean
Water Convenience. If you are searching for a way to make your
rental property stand out from your competition, consider a filtering
water faucet. At $200 to $400 for the unit, plus the cost of filters
the tenant will have to buy, you might consider them for higher end units,
or any unit where the municipal water supply is particularly bad.
Such a unit might also be offered as a premium to encourage lease renewals
or induce tenants to commit to longer leases.
Cracked
Basement Floor.
How to tell if the cracks in your basement floor are minor or harbingers
of a major problem, and what to do about them.
EPA’s
Asbestos Home Page. This is not an article, but it contains
links to almost all the information you will ever need about asbestos in
your rental unit or home.
FCC
Prohibits Exclusive Telecom-Access Agreements. Under a ruling by
the FCC, Telecommunications companies may no longer bind a commercial
landlord to exclude competitors from providing service to his building.
Fencing
Match. Consider these alternatives to the typical chain link or
wrought iron fence for the front yard or corner lot.
Hiring
a Home Inspector?
Getting an independent property inspector to look over a building before
you buy it is a good idea. Here is what to look for when selecting
one.
Home
Owner's Guide To Buying a New Roof, A. Not only does this article compare the different types of roofing systems
and materials, it also covers roof design, causes of roof deterioration,
how to select a roofing contractor. This is a must read for anyone
with a new roof in his immediate future.
How
To Counter Rising Winter Heating Bills. This article contains tips on how you and your tenants can offset at least
a part of the increasing cost of energy.
How To
Fight Dryrot in Homes, Condos and Co-ops. Here is an excellent discussion of what dryrot is, how it spreads, and how
to recognize it when it strikes. Dryrot, “wood cancer,” is
destructive and quite expensive if not eliminated early. Protect
your investment and learn how to prevent and spot it.
How to
Keep the Noise Out of Your Pipes. Find out what those strange sounds coming from your plumbing mean and how
to get rid of them.
How To
Make Simple Toilet Repairs. Toilets are high strung, mechanical, and frequently used. For these
reasons they require frequent attention. A plumber is rarely
required, however. You might save a good deal of money by doing
minor toilet repairs yourself. Here you will find all the
information you need to deal with most toilet problems.
How To
Prevent Basement Leaks.
Learn to recognize the signs of a leaky basement in a prospective
purchase, and how to correct the problem if you already have a chronically
wet basement.
How
to Reduce Commercial Utility Bills. The title is self
explanatory, and if you are a commercial lessor, particularly in a third
world, power starved country like California, you need to read this.
Keeping a
Tight Seal.
If re-roofing is in your plans for this summer, consider the installation
of an ice and water protection product.
Making
It Last.
Here is revealed the secrets to ensuring maximum life out of your carpet
investment.
Net Minded
Tenants Want High-Speed Access. A majority of potential tenants
will be swayed in their decision to rent by the presence or absence of
convenient high speed Internet access. Make your property stand out
by bringing it into the information age.
“O”
Marks the Pot.
It is possible to remove water rings left by your tenant on the hardwood
floors, but it is not always easy.
Refinishing
School.
A dull, worn out wood floor does not make a very good tenant magnet.
This article shows how to do it and how easy it is.
Renewing
Concrete Surfaces.
How to repair worn and cracked concrete without a bulldozer.
Rubber
Roofing’s Hurtful Bounce.
If you are contemplating one of the new “rubber” or single ply roof
systems, or if your rental has one, this article is a must-read.
Septic
Tank System for Sewage Treatment, A.
A discussion of the design and installation of septic tank systems
is valuable for anyone who has one.
Walk
Softly. Is your handyman installing the right carpet cushion, or just anything he
has on-hand? This short piece will give you important tips on the
kind and quality of cushions that your rental units need.
What
Property Managers Should Expect
From Carpet and Vinyl Installers - Excerpt from the book
Landlord
Floors by Alan J. Fletcher
