I would suggest you make things very clear about the landscape thing. I for one, love plants, shrubs, flowers, and veggies, but life, energy, time, weather, and numerous other things have resulted in many terribly weedy, unkept areas here. Most say I have way too much to take care of, but that is another story. I think it is nice to want to be such a good and caring landlord. I would maybe first define one small areat that they can use as they please, and offer some allowance to cover plants,shrubs, and go from there. Another idea, might be to split the cost of what is purchased (plants, shrubs, fertilizer, Preen, soil amendments, edging, mulch,)for the one small specified area. That will encourage the renter, to plant, water, and care for it, if they too have some $$$ invested in it. If she is a 'new to gardening' person, she may not realize what work(play), expence, and commitment it takes to have nice healthy plants. Possibly she would like to experiment with container gardening, if she hasn't already. Then if she finds it is more of a commitment than she can handle, not much will be lost, by either of you. Maybe give them an area and a small allowance ($50), and let them start small, maybe buying from discounted racks, starting things from seeds, or trading for things at so many of the trading forums. Since I doubt she/he would have anything much plantwise to trade (other than maybe cuttings from stuff already there), there is a Garden Exchange here, where one can trade other 'stuff' for plants or garden related things. I'm just assuming she has a computer and internet for recreation. Sue Here is a link that might be useful: The Garden Exchange

Please do not attempt to fix anything yourself. Most are done in amateurish ways and actually makes the problem worse, not better. Tell your landlord about these hardwood issues. You may have to pay for a coat of polish when you leave. Repairing hardwood where the wood has to be sanded down requires that the entire floor be done at the same time. This can cost thousands. This is hard to "spot" fix. Cats are very stressed out about moving. Even though you don't think this is pee, it sounds like cat pee to me.... Unfortunately, the damage sustained from the cat pee sounds already significant. This is after the fact, but what were you thinking when you put the cat litter box on the hardwood? Would you have done the same in your own house? If the answer is NO, then you did not treat the rental house the same as your own house. Yes, I am being harsh... I am sure I will get flamed for this. Life happens. If this was your house, you would either live with the black spot forever, because you chose to not pay for the repair of the floor or pay a few grand to finish the floor again. This is the risk that you and your landlord took in renting out the house. Try to come up with a reasonable arrangement, if you can. It sounds like you already kind of know that you have lost your deposit. Many years ago, a tenant caused a fire to the house to the tune of 120k. (Iguana knocked over the unsecured heat lamp!) The only thing that cost this tennant was his deposit. Even with the insurance payment, the damage deposit was nothing in terms of what it really cost us us money and time. %^&*( happens in life. We have also had tenants that pointed out things to us like partially broken light fixture immediately after they moved in. We do not live in the home, so we do not know what is working and what is NOT working. Best tenants are the ones that let us know what is happening.....

I had heard that they have become far more difficut to obtain. However, before you continue to search for a lender, realize that there are many PITA limitations....you have to have the contractor(s) lined up first...the work has to commence within a short period of time post closing (30 days), the project has to be finished at a certain time (not more than 6 months) , and the contractors must be willing to work on the 203K payment schedule, just to name a few of the rules. There are a whole host of other criteria to be met...and certain repairs are not eligible. If you have not done so already, thoroughly familiarize yourself with all of the conditions, and if you feel it is still right for you, contact FHA for the names of participating lenders. Here is a link that might be useful: FHA 203K Information

Kippy-the-Hippy wrote on Sat, Feb 7, 15 at 18:14: "If you live in California, one of the ways to notify a tenant of an eviction is to post on the door and send certified mail-see the link below. And yes it HAS to be conspicuous" I'm not in CA but eviction is a special case, I understand that. No risk of eviction in my case. "Do they pay for the heating in your unit? Would you want a mail slot in the door that also lets in cold air or allows people to peak in?" I pay for the heating. We drop rent envelopes through the office door slot all the time. A tenant slot only needs to be about 1/4" x 5" to handle what they post. It could be lined with brushes or a metal flap to keep weather out (very common). If they really want to reach tenants ASAP they should know that some might be housebound for whatever reason over the course of a few days. Much easier to see a note on your floor than on your door. They could at least knock vs. placing notes silently. "If you think it is quick to call 115 tenants to tell them you posted something on the door, you must have never tried it." I get that angle, but if the tenant is going on vacation it would be common courtesy to call. Otherwise the tenant has to find someone to check door notices and that person might forget, etc. "If you think calling or texting would be better, does your landlord have your current number?" Yes, definitely, and my email address. "If you think email is better, how many update landlords when your email changes? How many do not check email regularly." I make sure they know of any phone or email changes. Others might not, but that's a red herring. "If you think 24 hours notice by mail is better, when has the post office delivered a letter mailed faster than posting it on your door?" Mail is best for rent notices, not 24-hour entry notices. Door notices mainly annoy me for privacy reasons. "If you think they should just slip it in your mail box, that is mail fraud unless it goes via the post office." The cost of mailing might deter them, I understand. A door slot is my solution. These particular doors are too well sealed to allow for slipping notes under them. "Just how do you think the management should let you know? Maybe a note on your door?" Again, a slot in the door or a phone call when I've told them I'll be away for several days. This complex barely even answers the phone, even though they claim to be always available. It's not just one issue with them. "And bet you can guess what I do!" Ayuh! Your questions are fair, but I will repeat: Slot in door! I could see notices with my indoor IP camera when I'm on vacation, then call the landlord and ask what it was about. No way to view my door from outside remotely without trusting someone else to check it. That can be problematic for various reasons. It comes down to privacy, again. This post was edited by Jck507 on Sun, Feb 8, 15 at 19:13