I'm come to prefer pop up drains. The lift rod type always seems to either break or need adjustment and thus requires more maintenance. What do you prefer?

Grid drain. Though I do need to go over with tenants at move-in that if something tiny, but valuable does go through the grid, the P-trap is where they should access it . Or, better yet, text me, and I’ll retrieve it. And, most likely its already gone.

Rubber drain plug.

At home I just have a grid cover - because I shower, not soak.

For tenants - to give them both options - I like the type that you lift up and turn a quarter turn to hold it open.

I guess you could call that a manual pop-up, but not the spring-loaded ones.

I started a test with a few vanity drains putting strainers only in them.

I liked the idea (got it from here) and wanted to test it out. I put one in the half bath at my place but didn't silicone it in.

Pulled it out after a few months just to see and the back side was coated with gunk.

Now I am worried about them clogging or stinking because of that. Still better than dropping stuff down the drain or dealing with the lift rods. Master vanity at my place has a pop up that catches so much nasty I have to clean it out on a regular basis. Tenants will never follow thru with that.

Considered replacing all the tub drains with just rubber stoppers. Maybe even telling tenants they supply them if they want to take a bath.

We used a grid type drop-in drain and removed the stoppers. But if they really want stoppers we provide a rubber flap thing that sits on top and will stop up the sink. However, if you have "A" or even "B+" properties then you may want something nicer looking such as a real stopper.

Here's an example of what we used...

Hoosier, that's exactly what I used.

Did you ever have an issue with gunk collecting or growing on the underside and causing an issue?

I guess I could just dump a little vinegar down there and hope for the best.