About six months ago, I noticed that the back deck on a rental house that I own had rotted. I was worried about safety and liability. I am also determined to protect my investment. I would like the property to continue to be worth more as the years go by. Keeping up with repairs and necessary updates attracts better renters and allows me to collect a higher rent. When I discussed tearing out the old deck and building a new structure, I expected my tenant to be delighted. Instead, the tenant informed me that she and her husband like to sleep in on weekends. She was unhappy with me working on the project before noon. This significantly limited the time I was able to devote to deck removal and building each week. The first day I arrived to begin, her dog was loose and aggressive. I was worried about getting bit. When I finally called her to take care of her dog, I figured out that she was still sleeping. I frequently had issues with her four-year-old daughter wanting to spend time with me while I was tearing out rotten boards, running an electric saw and using a drill. I didn’t feel it was safe for the child to be near the work zone. Completing the decks was an awful experience. I spent a great deal of time and money on constructing a very sizable and sturdy outdoor structure. Never once has the tenant said thank you. I am now hoping that she and her husband move out. I am no longer willing to forgive late payment of the rent or the dog poop in the lawn.