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 In […]

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 […]

A home fire is unexpected. A resident may have less than two minutes to realize a fire danger and act accordingly to escape to safety. Being prepared with a fire emergency plan before a fire occurs can help save lives and protect property. Being prepared starts by understanding what causes fires and what can be […]

Understandably a landlord respects an individual’s right to privacy and confidentiality of personal information, but at the same time a prospective landlord has the right to conduct adequate and necessary business screenings as a duty of care to his tenants for their safety and security. A landlord calling you to verify his applicant’s past rental […]

A2 Your manager was correct in not allowing a stranger to access a tenant’s apartment without the tenant’s permission for entry. You have no way to determine in fact  whether the stranger is a family member, friend, or someone posing as such in order to commit a crime or harm the tenant or the tenant’s […]

Most states set guidelines for landlord entry to a rental unit for specific reasons such as emergencies, landlord inspection of premises, property repairs and improvements, showing the unit to prospective tenants or buyers, and landlord inspection during extended absences by the tenant. However there can be different guidelines and rules for entry to a rental […]

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, Oct. 20-26, 2019 Title X of the Housing and Community Development Act (also known as the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 or Title X) requires disclosure of known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before the sale or lease of most housing built before 1978. […]

Despite the landlord’s policies and rules, it is not uncommon for a tenant to move another person into the rental unit. A landlord should therefore be prepared with a plan to address the issue of an unauthorized occupant. A landlord should first understand the issue by asking the tenant for an explanation of why an […]