How One Landlord Uses the 15 Percent Rule for Repairs

In this episode, Lucas and Luna dissect the 15 Percent Rule—a repair and maintenance reserve that many landlords ignore until a furnace dies. They walk through a real case: a four-unit in Cleveland where setting aside 15 percent of gross rent each month turned a potential $8,000 emergency into a minor setback. Lucas explains why the rule works best for older buildings with deferred maintenance, while Luna challenges it with a counter-example from a newer build where vacancy costs more than repairs. They discuss how to adjust the percentage for your property's age, climate, and tenant profile, and they share a simple spreadsheet method to track reserves. If you're a landlord or thinking about buying your first rental, this episode gives you a concrete number to plug into your underwriting—and a way to avoid the classic trap of thinking you can skip the reserve because nothing's broken yet. Plus, a sincere note on how listener support keeps the show ad-free. #15PercentRule #RepairReserve #RentalProperty #LandlordTips #CashFlow #RealEstateInvesting #PropertyMaintenance #ClevelandRentals #Finance #Business #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Podcast #Investing #WealthBuilding #RentalIncome #PropertyManagement #Underwriting Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo