An insurance product that helps compensate a landlord for loss of income in the event that a rental property become uninhabitable due to a covered loss – e.g., storm damage or fire damage – is available from many business insurance companies. This type of coverage may also be called a Loss of Income Policy, Rent […]

Unless the lender required earthquake insurance, each property owner must assess the risks of going without the coverage vs. the cost of the coverage. The risk of earthquake damage depends on the location of the property, the type of property, date of construction, and the improvements made after construction specific to reduction of damages. It […]

What can a landlord do if he/she suspects a tenant has abandoned the rental unit? Being unsure whether the tenant is really gone for good or intends to come back to occupy the rental unit leaves the landlord at a disadvantage. An unannounced departure by a tenant creates problems for a landlord in retaking possession […]

Tenants have a right to know whether rental properties have a history of bed bugs. Some states and local jurisdictions have specific laws requiring landlords to disclose a property’s bed bug history. If the landlord fails to disclose or misrepresents the property’s bed bug history, tenants may be able to employ legal remedies such as […]

Comprehensive bed bug legislation has been passed by many states and some cities to prevent, manage, and control bed bug infestations. In states with bed bug laws, landlords must incorporate specific additional policies for disclosure and mitigation of bed bug infestations. You will need to conduct due diligence of applicable bed bug laws and regulations […]

Who can be held responsible for pest control in a rental unit depends upon applicable state and local laws and terms of the lease agreement. You should research your state statutes and local ordinances regarding what maintenance and repair responsibilities can and cannot be transferred to tenants. A single family rental property may have different […]

Return of the tenant’s security deposit and the accounting for amounts retained by the landlord can often be a source of dispute between the landlord and the tenant upon the tenant’s move-out. A tenant expects to have his full security deposit returned. The landlord may find the condition of the unit requires deductions for cleaning […]

An applicant for an available rental unit must prove he/she can meet rent terms and conditions. To do so, the applicant must submit documentation of current employment and proof of income at time of application. A rental information packet that details the landlord’s rental policies and procedures including income standards can be helpful to prospective […]

Your first response should have been a call to your plumber to determine how quickly a new water heater can be installed. A failure to provide a tenant with hot water within a “reasonable” time after failure of the water heater could be a legal issue of habitability. Next day service to install a new […]

Landlords usually provide major appliances such as a refrigerator in rental properties as a benefit and convenience for their tenants. The lease agreement should specify what appliances are provided for the tenant’s use during the tenancy. The lease should further specify appliance maintenance and housekeeping responsibilities for both landlord and tenant. As part of the […]