When you choose to selectively offer tenancy to some individuals and not to others you have violated Fair Housing Acts. Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (the Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in housing and housing related transactions based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or familial status. […]

Businesses may need to hire employees as seasonal help during peak business periods. The holiday season is often the busiest time of year for many companies when demand is high for their goods and services. Seasonal hiring, such as retail sales and customer service positions, can be cost-effective for the employer by allowing greater flexibility […]

A typical rental application asks the applicant for information regarding his rental history, employment history, income, financial accounts, credit card accounts, loans, other debt obligations, and references. References in this context usually refer to personal references, those who would provide a character reference for the applicant. Rental references are risk assessment tools. As such, to […]

For an investor, buying rental properties with existing tenants can have many advantages. Due diligence by the prospective buyer is required to accurately assess the property’s performance, property condition, tenant lease agreements, tenant security deposits, and other existing terms and conditions that could have a material effect on the sale. You want to be able […]

When a unit stays vacant for a long period of time, it can be due to a number of reasons. You might want to review your marketing strategies. Are you advertising on multiple sites and using a variety of media to advertise the vacancy? If your advertising isn’t reaching the right market segment, no one […]

  Responsibility for rental property repairs and maintenance can be governed by state landlord-tenant statutes; state and local building and safety codes; the landlord’s lease agreement; and any oral or written promises (express or implied) made to the tenant regarding rental property conditions, amenities, services, or other rental offerings. Landlord Responsibilities Implied Warranty of Habitability […]

You may want to start your search by talking with your fellow landlords who currently use property management companies. Are they willing to recommend their management company? How satisfied is the landlord with the company’s performance? Are the landlord’s tenants satisfied with the customer service and maintenance responses from the management company? You will need […]

There is probably nothing inherently wrong with using unlicensed vendors for many routine non-critical tasks that do not require a license by law as long as you are aware of the risks and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself. You should understand the licensing requirements of your state to give you some idea of […]

It depends on the circumstances of the hiring arrangement. Worker classification is an important decision for business and tax purposes. You will want to define the nature of the work to done and how the work will be done before you decide to hire an employee or engage an independent contractor (IC). While many tasks […]

Filling a vacancy is a financial decision by a landlord based upon an evaluation of an applicant’s potential risk of material lease default including missed rents, property damage, and nuisance. An additional factor in a financial decision to offer tenancy is a landlord’s ability to carry certain risks. Landlords use various risk mitigation tools to […]