Classic DIY landlord story. Had a coworker who bought an all but derelict house, which he split into “apartments” and did all maintenance himself. For him, tenant turnover was pure profit - he’d grab the cheapest paint from the supermarket, slap it on everything (outlets included), give the floors a quick once-over, and pocket the full security deposit. Three months’ rent for a Saturday’s “work.”

His favorite scam? Convincing tenants to pay deposits in cash because it would be “easier to return” from his safe. Several times a year he’d pocket thousands in untaxed cash since there was “no paper trail.” Tenant turnover was his real income stream - much better than dealing with those pesky long-term renters always complaining about moldy walls, leaky faucets and unplowed snow.

Last I heard, he was trying to unload the place on Facebook Marketplace. Don’t know why, maybe the IRS (or tax daddy, as it’s colloquially known in Danish) got wind of his cash flow.