You should charge for damages that are beyond “normal wear and tear” whether it is a cash settlement or deduction from security deposit. I recently had a tenant vacate and they “touch up painted” the walls where it was needed, unfortunately they used the wrong type of paint and when they refused to correct it I deducted from their security deposit the time and materials to repaint those areas myself. It’s just business - make it part of your business plan and apply it equally to all properties.
I have a couple houses in a bad neighborhood and am having
trouble keeping one of the houses filled. The neighborhood
has been put on a neighborhood watch in the past two years
and have cleaned up the place. I believe if I don’t put my foot
down, I won’t be taking care of the place. Should I charge for
damages if one of the tenants have have holes in the wall??