Don't fall for this rent trap

Shower thought:

If your tenant was handy, they wouldn't be renting.

Yet here you are.

Knocking a few bucks off rent for some “easy” repairs.

Next thing you know, their quick fix turns your basement into a waterpark.

And their cousin, the “drywall expert,” disappears faster than your security deposit refund policy.

Then your home looks like a sad episode of Extreme Makeover: Lawsuit Edition.

Here's the deal:

Don't swap rent for labor.

If they don't pay, it's a pain to evict.

If they botch the job, it's a mess to fix.

And if they get hurt?

Congrats, you just became their employer—with all the liability and none of the benefits.

Hard pass.

By Landlord Legal

Uh-oh spaghetti-o - that's issue #147 of The Brief.

Selling a rental? Don’t forget the security deposit — it doesn’t vanish with the sale.

Here’s what you need to know.

DISCLAIMER: Heads up - none of this is legal advice. We share stories and laughs about legal stuff for Landlords.  Do your own homework and stay safe out there!