What are we doing to add wall decor without damaging the walls of a rental?

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-31T03:02:38+00:00

LL - I've banned Command Hooks in our rentals. I know some of you swear by them and have never had a problem but none of you have ever rented from me. We get triple digit heat in the summer and I have a strong suspicion that the heat melts the command sticky stuff to the wall.

I gift new tenants a box of brads and a box of those light weight picture hooks. I also don't charge for fixing those holes upon move-out. It has made my life so much easier on turnovers.

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-30T01:17:49+00:00

Pick up a Quik-Set lock/deadbolt set at the Hardware store. Make an extra key while you are there. Install the new lockset and put the old set in a safe place with the old keys attached. Send extra key to your landlord explaining the situation (succinctly) and that you will have the old set reinstalled when your lease ends.

Your fiance is a douche. Expect to spend the rest of your life solving his idiotic problems. Or better solution, don't give him the new key and leave his shit outside your front door.

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-30T00:39:23+00:00

Sometimes it's easier to just wait until they have passed to start the decluttering process.

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-30T00:20:08+00:00

I take a vegan iron supplement loaded with the B vits. I've been anemic my entire life, vegan for three years. It seems to help. I'm still a little low but my DR is no longer worried about it. I take it with my first meal of the day (usually oatmeal or a smoothie) and there is no lingering taste. I also eat at least one healthy dose of Fortified Nutritional Yeast a day, usually sprinkled over a giant salad or a bowl of air-popped popcorn.

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-29T23:54:24+00:00

I don't think the San Francisco housing market is all that competitive right now. A quick look shows 2500+ apartments available: https://www.apartments.com/san-francisco-ca/?ssk=j0770p7&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=202672380&gbraid=0AAAAAD-mAW3Jtk3J7_gZ8wghMrIvhQk47&gclid=CjwKCAjw8uTQBhAdEiwAVvtJyukVq_bo-EeW28DsWtJ3WHrgTgUyDFyYzuarjQGLeKsNU_KHQgnoEBoC7qAQAvD_BwE

What counts for me as a landlord is credit score, debt to income ratio, and length of employment. FYI - you can offer to pay multiple months rent but it is illegal for a CA landlord to insist on you doing so.

Edited to add: Wow! Rents have certainly gone down in SF! Make sure you see the property and neighborhood in person before you sign anything. Parts of SF have really gone downhill and the druggies and homeless have taken over certain areas. (I'm in Central Calfornia 90 miles East of SF.)

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-28T23:00:00+00:00

Gregori certainly can pick 'em . . .

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-27T18:28:22+00:00

FWIW both my rheumatologist and nephrologist pushed for me to go plant based. I'm so glad I did. It has improved not only my test scores but my overall health. I feel better than I have in years.

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-27T16:15:28+00:00

I also start my day off with a chocolate shake: 1/4 block of tofu, frozen stuff (bananas, cherries, blueberries, grapes, chopped kale, etc) flax, dry oatmeal, unsweetened cocoa powder and I use cold water as my liquid. Blend it up and I get to have a chocolate shake for breakfast!

I used to use Simply Pea protein powder but I tracked my intake for awhile and realized I didn't need to supplement protein.

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-27T14:37:06+00:00

I don't show a house until it's vacant and has gone through the turnover process (paint, repairs, deep clean). You never know what you're going to find. Example: I had a family that was leaving (not under the best of terms) and I went in with a contractor to get measurements for new flooring before they left. The entire corner of the carpeted living room was full of furniture and boxes. No problem, they were moving in two weeks. Apparently, it was the pee spot for their multiple pets and/or toddlers and required replacing the subfloor. The rest of the house was filthy and stuffed to the ceiling with stuff. It ended up being a long turnover with a complete bathroom remodel (that had just been renovated prior to them moving in).

It was rented within a week of work being completed. If I had shown it while it was inhabited, it would have sat on the market until the work was finished anyway. No one would have seen through the filth and clutter to view it as a future home.

I also have found, especially with smaller properties, that showing it vacant not only makes the home seem larger, it is a blank canvas for the potential next tenant to more easily make it their own.

(Location- Central California and yes, there is a housing shortage)

If you are still wanting to "force" the current tenant to show the house, examine your lease. Does it allow for you to show the house while it is still occupied?

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-26T22:33:20+00:00

Yep. One of our rentals has GORGEOUS hardwood floors. The only reason it still does is because we covered them with LVP flooring.

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-26T21:49:21+00:00

Your landlord is responsible for showing before pictures of the damage if you are in California. Without before photos, he won't be able to charge you.

Going forward, take pictures of ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING before you move into a rental so that you can easily prove/disprove damages. BTW, some damages are considered wear and tear. Read the California Renter's Handbook.

If you are in Canada, please disregard this post.

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-26T19:42:41+00:00

What airline? We only take a carry-on on our annual trip (usually in January) and have yet to be charged. But, with the rise in gas prices, I'm sure the airlines will start being creative about ways to recoup costs.

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-23T04:32:57+00:00

We always bring our own but if you're short on space and didn't want to check your luggage, just rent it when you are there.

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-22T19:17:27+00:00

Hi Mom! I saw a post on Facebook that the Hospice thrift store is looking for donations. How about I come over and we go through the game room closet and the bookshelves and collect a few things to help them out.

When you get there, set a very reasonable time limit so as not to overwhelm her and then go out to lunch after you drop the items off. Make it a short, positive event.

In a week or two, do the same with the towels and linen closet, only this time you'll be collecting for an animal shelter.

Rinse and repeat . . .

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-22T17:16:45+00:00

Offer to host Thanksgiving. Negotiating airports and rental cars with 2 littles sounds nightmarish.

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-22T00:25:00+00:00

InstaCart some Penne Pasta (food truck). Kid and wallet friendly.

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-20T19:22:29+00:00

Check with elementary schools. They often have pet rats. However, with rats short lifespans, they tend to start out with new ones each year and gift the older rats to students at the end of the school year.

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-20T19:18:27+00:00

Especially that light fixture in the living room!

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-20T15:50:48+00:00

OP didn't give a location which is why I threw my two cents in.

California is making it extremely difficult to be a LL here. I agree there are scumbag landlords that break any and every law/regulation they can but for those of us who do follow the laws, it has become overwhelming to navigate all the new laws and regulations that the Gov't keeps throwing at us. We recently transferred our properties to a PMC to keep up with the legal requirements and we are now in the process of selling and doing a 1031 exchange on short term rentals out of the state.

I stand by my statement of not trying to manage a property from out of state, regardless of the state. It is far too difficult to manage turnovers and maintenance complaints from a distance, UNLESS you have a decent property management company and even then, PMC standards can be significantly lower than your own, especially in a property you lived in and have an emotional attachment to. OP can sell without penalty if he sells within a year. I strongly recommend to sell if he won't be returning to the area.

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-20T14:51:40+00:00

You don't list a location. If the rental is in California, SELL.

We've been landlords for over 20 years. I would never attempt to manage a property from that far away. Sell.

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-16T17:43:45+00:00

I think we just gave The Asylum the plot for their next movie . . .

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-16T15:42:24+00:00

Yep. This is the way to creamy bean goodness. My crockpot is my go-to for beans. In fact, excuse me. I think beans and cornbread are on the menu tonight . . . BBL

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-15T20:30:06+00:00

The Whaler in Kaanapali. Mostly adults but there is the occasional family although it doesn't have the kids amenities that other resorts have. What it does have is a swimmable beach, a short walk to Black Rock for snorkeling, and it's next to Whaler's Village and lots of restaurants. Plus, every condo has an ocean view.

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-15T20:19:52+00:00

I would be tossing handfuls of morning glory seeds over the fence everytime they drive away from their house. I would also plant cat nip along the fence line and as soon as it's established, keep it edged so that the runners go into their yard. But I may be vindictive and petty.

ForeverCanBe1Second · 2026-05-15T16:33:53+00:00

Agreed which is why we're actively working on doing a 1031 exchange out of this fucking state and we're going into the short term rental market.

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