Landlording Blues

The split-foyer house that Frank owns in Dale City is still available for rent. It's vacant and still being painted outside, although the inside has been painted and carpeted.

Yesterday we had calls from two neighbors reporting that some young people had been in the house at night. Frank tried unsuccessfully to reach our handyman Noel to ask him to change the locks. As the day wore on, I suggested that he call a locksmith. Even that turned out to be difficult on a Saturday, but finally a locksmith from WW Discount Locks responded and installed new locks. He also made sure the back door was secure.

Today we drove two hours to get there to obtain the new keys and take care of some other tasks. A neighbor informed us that the boys had gotten back in the house last night, apparently by putting the painter's ladder up to an upstairs window. Yikes! We called the painter and he put the ladders indoors and picked up one of the new keys. Frank also called the police and they came by, but since nothing was missing or destroyed, they were not very concerned.

We locked the windows too, of course. But I left there feeling uneasy. If someone really wants to get inside, locks won't keep him out.

I appreciate the neighbors calling us. They don't know us; they got our number off the "For Rent" sign.