Apartment Pet Policy

One of the most common questions landlords face when managing their apartments is whether or not to allow pets in their property. We all know the negative side of having pets: they can pee on the carpet, scratch hardwood floors, chew on cabinets corners… You get the idea. But if you don’t consider the positive aspects of allowing them in your rental units you could be selling yourself short. Read more

No more copper!

I saw this painted on the front of a building on the 37XX block of Pennsylvania this morning and thought it really summed up the current copper theft situation. On one hand the message is funny, while on the other its just sad.

I’m never one to advocate for the government to get involved in peoples lives, but this theft has to stop. This is beyond a local issue. We need to get scrap yards in both Missouri and Illinois to stop the flow of this stolen copper. This don’t ask, don’t tell policy on where scrap comes from and who is collecting it has to come to an end.

Window air conditioner installs

Just like radiators, I’ve always thought window air conditioners get an unfairly bad wrap. They are relatively cheap (usually between $100 and $300 per unit), most models are efficient if properly installed and there is no need to install expensive ductwork throughout the building. Read more

Construction quality

When you’re standing on a deck or any man-made structure, do you ever wonder who built it and if they knew what they were doing. When looking at properties, these questions should be considered. And if you’re doing the work yourself, it’s always important to make sure that it is being done right. Failing to do so can cost a lot of money and even lives. Read more

Copper theft season

Just when it seemed that increased security measures at local scrap yards were having a positive effect on copper theft, spring had to hit. Over the winter, even buildings that weren’t secured properly seemed to be holding onto their copper longer than usual. In the past couple of weeks, as the temperatures have been rising, I have defintely noticed an increase in theft of copper in St. Louis City properties. Read more

Securing AC condensers

Nothing hurts a landlord’s pocketbook or pride like being the victim of theft or vandalism. The main security issue facing landlords in St. Louis and around the country is copper theft, but there are many other temping targets at any property. One particularly expensive and “easy to steal” component are AC condensers. Read more

Security lighting

Keeping your tenants and properties secure is an important part of running a successful investment. If your tenants feel unsafe, they will be less likely to remain at the property after their initial lease. If your property isn’t secured, you just might find your copper plumbing or AC condenser miss one day. Its a major concern.

Security systems are often used as a method to address this problem, but there is a more affordable, and in some ways more affective method: motion-sensor security lights. With a few strategically placed lights, you can really improve the security of your properties.

Your tenants will be happy because the building will be well lit when they enter and exit their unit. The property, as well as the tenants will be more secure because the motion sensors will activate when somebody enters the premises. A potnential burglar or robber is going to think twice before camping out behind a property that is well lit.

The next time you have a warm weekend free and are looking for something to do, head down to your local hardware store and pick a few of these up. They are well worth the investment.

Stopping the flow of stolen copper from St. Louis real estate properties

*NOTE - This article was originally written in February of 2007 for the newsletter.

There is a plague afflicting the St. Louis area. This onslaught is indiscriminate in choosing victims. Businesses, residences, apartments, even churches are not safe from the salivating jaws of this beast. Keep on the lookout for the copper thief.

Everyone seems to agree that the surge in copper prices from $.50 a pound to over $3.00 has caused a major surge in copper theft. Whether by stealth, trickery or reckless abandon, copper thieves have been ransacking our area. Copper pipes, electrical wiring and old gutters are especially vulnerable targets.

Many residents blame the continual climb in theft on an inept police force or dismissive neighbors. But there is no way you can pin this on them. It would be impossible to have eyes on every potential theft target at all times. There isn’t enough manpower. Even if there was, in a city with so many rehabs going on at any given time, thieves posing as contractors can too easily gain hassle-free access to vulnerable areas.

Preventative measures are not the key to solving this issue. If we really want to stop the thieves, we need to cut off their buyers: scrap yards. These businesses serve a necessary and functional purpose, but more has to be done to prevent this theft. Perhaps scrap buyers should only pay sellers by check and keep drivers license records of all sellers? Perhaps scrap yards who knowingly buy from thieves should face stiffer fines. Regardless of the path to be taken, there must be action.

Protect yourself. Take a stand. Call your local alderman (search for your alderman) and scrap yards today and demand that they fix this problem. We need to be fostering a hospitable environment for developers and residents not robbing them blind.

Notable scrap yards in close proximity:

- Ace Scrap Metals, 5900 Manchester, St. Louis
- Top Metal Buyers, 808 Walnut, East St. Louis
- Cash’s Scrap Metal, 300 E. Nagel, St. Louis

*Check out my previous blog entry, “Stopping Copper Thieves: What can you do?” for tips on protecting yourself.

Fraudulant rent collectors

*NOTE - This article was originally written in December of 2006 for the newsletter.

Getting your tenants to pay their rent can be a tough enterprise. Especially when you aren’t the only person trying to collect rent at the building. As crazy as it sounds, this has actually been happening in the St. Louis rental market.

Apparently, a man has been coming to apartment units in the late evening at the very beginning of the month claiming to have just purchased the property. At this point he asks for the month’s rental payment. Most tenants seem to realize the oddity of the situation, but some have been taken through the scam.

Whether urban myth or fact, to protect yourself and your tenants, it would be prudent to contact all parties involved with your properties and warn them of this scam. Explain to your tenants both verbally and in writing, that rental payments are to made in the same fashion each month unless you, the landlord, personally notify them of a change.

This small investment of time could save you from major headaches down the road.

What you can do to stop copper thieves

*NOTE - This article was originally written in October of 2006 for the newsletter.

Salvage yards across St. Louis rarely ask where their customers get the scrap metal they bring in. That’s a shame, because they might be getting it from YOU! Copper thieves can turn a great rental or rehab building into a nightmare. Replacing the pipes can be costly and time consuming. Water damage caused by the resulting leaks can be even worse.

Other than standing guard 24/7, there is no failsafe way to eliminate this threat. There are, however, steps that you can take, which can make your property a less attractive target:

• Paint your exposed pipes - One method, which can be extremely effective, is to paint the exposed copper piping throughout your property. A good coat of spray paint can be the most cost effective method to copper theft deterrence. Salvage yards will not accept copper if it is painted. They only way thieves could get money for your painted copper, would be to undergo the time-prohibitive process of stripping off the paint.

• Good exterior lighting - Although not really that helpful against daytime thieves, good exterior lighting can make your property a lesser target. Motion detector lights are often the best choice. These lights will help cut back on electricity costs and light pollution, but still offer added security.

• Quality locks - To get to your copper, a thief has to gain access to the property. That’s where the locks come in. If all entryways into the property are secured with single and deadbolts, their job will be a lot harder.

• Secure basement windows - One of the most often overlooked trouble spots are your basement windows. The basement windows in most older houses usually have thin glass and are made of wood. If this is the case at your property, you should consider replacing or sealing off the trouble windows.