Episode 154: Rental Roundtable Table Topics Style with Dan Dyble and Karen Hall Part 2
Summary
Sometimes the conversation is too good to stop! In episode 151 we started a roundtable discussion about rentals, all from the Toastmaster’s Club called Money Matters. The 15 table topics questions that Karen Hall created generated so much discussion, we had to create a part two! Join Karen, Dan Dyble and me as we continue our lively awkward discussion about rentals, Toastmasters style.
Listen to the full episode :
This Week’s Blog Post:
A Deep Dive into Rights and Responsibilities
Hi friends! I’m Dr. Jen, and in this episode of My Life as a Landlord, I’m continuing our roundtable series with Dan Dyble and Karen Hall. This is part two of our Toastmasters-inspired conversation, where we answer landlord questions in table topics style—meaning, we answer them on the spot with no preparation. In this episode, we focused on landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities, and as always, it turned into a thoughtful and surprisingly entertaining discussion.
Who’s Really Responsible for Maintenance?
The first question we tackled was: who bears more responsibility in maintaining a property—the landlord or the tenant? Karen started us off by sharing her view that landlords carry the bulk of the responsibility for major maintenance, while tenants are expected to handle basic upkeep like changing light bulbs, cleaning filters, and yard work if tools are provided. Dan emphasized the need for clarity in lease agreements, especially when it comes to tasks like lawn care or snow removal. I added that what’s considered “normal wear and tear” must be maintained by tenants, but the landlord must ensure the property remains safe, livable, and compliant.
Permanent Changes Without Permission?
Next, we addressed whether renters should be allowed to make permanent changes, like mounting TVs or painting walls, without landlord approval. The answer from all of us was a hard no. Dan pointed out the technical pitfalls—like improperly mounted TV brackets or hard-to-cover wall colors—and how that can lead to increased repair costs. Karen shared her own experience buying a property where a previous tenant painted bedrooms purple. I’ve dealt with this myself, too, and always encourage tenants to ask first. It all comes down to communication and clear expectations.
Should Landlords Live Nearby?
Then came a question close to my heart: should landlords be required to live near their rental properties? As a remote, self-managing landlord who lives in Hawaii but owns rentals across Canada, I say no—it depends on your systems. Dan and Karen agreed that responsiveness matters more than physical proximity. If you have a solid network of local professionals and clearly defined roles, you can manage effectively from anywhere. The key is ensuring that emergencies are handled promptly and that tenants know who to call.
Wrap-Up and Toastmasters Takeaways
We closed the episode by reflecting on the value of Toastmasters in sharpening our speaking and leadership skills—something every landlord can benefit from. Dan and Karen encouraged listeners to find a local club or join their virtual group, Money Matters Toastmasters. We had a lot of laughs, some unexpected tech glitches with our timer backgrounds, and most importantly, another round of meaningful conversations.
This episode was recorded in Memphis, Tennessee. Why? Because real estate takes you places. Where do you want real estate to take you?
Join me next week for Episode 155, where I guest on the Bull Cast podcast to talk about the inheritance hot potato. I’ll see you there!