So our contractor came up with a nutty idea for our newly renovated C properties that just might work.

He suggested one of his workers sleep there for a few days, use the bathroom and kitchen to make sure everything is actually done.

Thoughts? Pitfalls?

"to make sure everything is actually done"?

Thanks all, keep it coming!

Ken - good point. His boss would run him out of town, and we'll have paperwork (and a schedule) to avoid squatting. He actually lives in a travel trailer now and will be bringing that to each property

DJ - complete not the issue, thanks to checklist and on larger jobs in person walk through. Actual 'someone lives here' use in an old building is something else. Twice in last 2 months we have had items fail from old age at move in that had not failed prior. One was a shower line between mix valve & shower head, other was clean out in basement. Both had held for 90+ years and through the construction and even the checklist water/leak tests

Plenty - oops, scrolled too fast last time, didn't mean to leave you out!

Sounds like a set-up.

Thanks all, the feedback is helpful.

Unpaid is our first thought. Wouldn't expect him to be more than 2 nights in a row at any one location.

Yes the guy would bring a travel trailer, but only to sites where the reno is 100% complete and paid for. Anything that should have been done and wasn't (or didn't stay done) would be on the contractor. Anything not in original scope that is obviously needed would get added in.

If he lives there while the work is being done that could deter some squatters.

Also he could never call in late for work.

I wouldn't 'let' him live there, but if his boss wanted him close I don't see an issue. He gets hurt and the boss has work comp to cover him.

I see two advantages:

1. Living there acts as home security so no one breaks in to steal or squat. I bet they have lots of robberies of materials and tools. This might be their solution to that.

2. I wouldn't worry about that person squatting as long as they're out before you pay the final payment to the contractor. He'll get them out if that guy is holding up your payment and the contractor's payment to their subs.

Sometimes we really don't read what we write. Do let me assist... You wrote: :

So our contractor came up with a nutty idea.

I see absolutely no good reason to do this ... for you. For them? Who knows what they are thinking or what they might possibly do in unforeseen circumstances.

old things can break while you are renovating. Old things can break while this guy is there. Old things can (and will) break when you have tenants in the building.

As to entering into ANY type lease agreement, you must then evict if/when he doesn't uphold his end of the bargain.

Simpy,

Nope Nope Nope.

Blurs the boundaries.

If you are worried about theft install a SimpliSafe system for $100. Move it to the next project or I leave it in the home as an amenity.

I'm with Jim OC. Odd things here and there are no big deal but your Contractor needs to be more thorough if you are finding things after a move in.

If a home has been sitting vacant such as a foreclosure I automatically have the sewer guy clean the lines. Cheap prevention.

I use my 200 point checklist at turnover. Try every faucet, flush the toilet 5 times, look under the sinks for wet spots, open and close every window and lock, turn on the heat then the AC, garage door up and down, smoke detectors...GREATLY reduced our call backs when I started the checklist.

Sure things may break LATER but that is rare. AND you have happier residents!

BRAD

... If a home has been sitting vacant such as a foreclosure I automatically have the sewer guy clean the lines....

I do this every time I purchase a property ... clean it to the curb.

.... Try every faucet, flush the toilet 5 times, look under the sinks for wet spots, ...