Abstract: A system and method for modifying a system property, such as a system time. A time offset may be passed between computing devices by including it in a request message. On a computing device, the time offset may be stored in an apartment corresponding to the received request. The apartment may be stored in thread logical data, accessible to any thread that performs actions related to the request. The apartment with the time offset may be passed between computing devices by including it in a request message. On a particular device, the apartment and time offset may be retrieved to determine an adjusted time. The system may be used by a client to perform tests or to recover from failures without disturbing the system time. System properties other than system time may be adjusted with the mechanisms described.