Owning a rental property can be a lucrative investment, but managing it yourself? That’s where things can get trying—sometimes even terrifying. From nightmare tenants to shocking discoveries, self-managing landlords often encounter unexpected situations. If you’re still on the fence about hiring a professional property management company, these horror stories are real--and just might give you a fright.
The House of Horrors
One of the worst rental situations we’ve heard about from another company started like any other. The tenants seemed responsible, passed background checks, and paid rent on time—for a while. Then, the payments became inconsistent. After finally gaining access to the property, the reality was horrifying. Holes were punched in the walls, and trash was piled high. And, the pets that weren’t listed on the rental agreement--well, they had left their mark. The owner told us the stench was other-worldly. The owner was left with a significant financial burden.
When Good Tenants Go Bad
A homeowner contacted us and told us they had decided to manage their rental property and believed they had secured a responsible tenant. The lease was signed, the rent came in regularly, and everything seemed to be going smoothly—until the day the tenant disappeared without notice. Upon inspection, the property owner was met with a shocking discovery: stolen appliances, stripped copper wiring, and extensive water damage from broken pipes.
This certainly wasn’t the picture of the all-American family making a house a home. The owner faced months of repairs. Sometimes, a landlord is fortunate enough to enlist legal help and recover the damages. Other times, they are left in the red, and the losses aren’t worth the return on the investment.
The Illegal Airbnb Operation
One of the most deceptive rental disasters we recently heard about involved a tenant who subleased the property on short-term rental platforms without the owner's knowledge. While the official leaseholder rarely lived there, the home became a revolving door for unvetted guests. The result? Perhaps HOA fines. Sometimes worse. When a property isn’t used for its intended purpose, the damages can outweigh the benefits.
The Cost of Self-Managing
These horror stories are extreme, but they’re not unrealistic, and more common than you might expect. Self-managing a rental property exposes you to significant risks. Without the right experience, screening tools, and legal expertise, landlords can find themselves in overwhelming situations that cost more time, money, and stress than they ever expected.
Because we’ve heard so many horror stories, Blue Door is proactive in protecting our investors. We’ve partnered with SureVestor to cover losses that can easily exceed $35,000 and up to 25 weeks of lost rent. We also conduct regular inspections to avoid any issues before they start. We know you work hard to build a financial future through real estate investments, and with our SureVestor Protection Plus Bundle, evictions, loss of rent, and damages can be covered.
Let us partner with you to protect your real estate investments and give you peace of mind. Contact us today and leave the nightmares behind!
If you have questions or would like to discuss property management services for your investment property, give us a call at 443.252.3385 or email us at info@bluedoor-pm.com today!
