Blind Hiring Employers may utilize blind hiring techniques to prevent discrimination in their recruitment and hiring processes. Blind hiring techniques anonymize demographic data about a candidate or applicant by removing personally identifiable information from candidate resumes and applications. Candidates and applicants advance through the hiring process based upon their demonstrated skills and abilities, not on […]

As a general statement, there is no national occupancy standard for rental units. Landlords must develop occupancy policies that are legally compliant at the governing level or agency requirement and appropriate to the particular rental unit and specific situation. Determining legal compliance for occupancy standards in rental units requires careful analysis and understanding of all […]

ANSWER: Accurate and detailed record keeping is an essential business practice for landlords. Typically landlords maintain records for property ownership, tenant information, property/unit information, and tax reporting. Good records and organizational practices contribute to more effective property management. A reliable and complete record keeping system provides the data for business financials, tax reporting, and functions […]

Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities Mold is an environmental hazard that raises serious concerns regarding health, safety, and habitability issues in rental properties. The presence of mold in a rental property can be a possible threat to tenant health and a potential liability issue for landlords. To minimize risks landlords and tenants should not ignore mold […]

Regular property inspections for safety and maintenance help protect a landlord’s business. Property inspections allow landlords to identify and correct problems before a problem becomes a costly emergency repair or causes collateral damage. In most states, property inspections may be a statutory requirement for rental housing compliances. The implied warranty of habitability, landlord-tenant statutes, local […]

ANSWER: In most states, ordinary wear and tear is the damage or deterioration to the property that could be expected to occur from normal usage. Some states go on to define wear and tear as: “natural and gradual deterioration of the rental unit over time, which results from a resident’s normal use.” Most state laws […]

ANSWER: While tenants have come to expect a freshly painted unit upon their move-in, except in certain circumstances as regulated by law, it is the landlord’s decision when to paint a rental unit and how often to paint the unit. Most states’ landlord-tenant statutes do not address the issue of painting unit interiors between tenants. […]

October 22-28, 2017 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. Federal, state, and local agencies and community organizations conduct various public outreach events during Lead Poisoning Prevention Week to: Raise awareness about lead poisoning Urge people to take steps to reduce lead exposure Highlight efforts to prevent childhood lead poisoning Stress the importance of screening the […]

ANSWER: You should carefully review your state’s landlord-tenant statutes and local ordinances that may address the issue of required security devices including locks and alarm systems. Some states and a few municipalities do have statutes or codes that allow specific alterations by a tenant such as installing an alarm system or permitting installation of legally […]

ANSWER: The move-in checklist is a written statement of the condition of the rental unit at the time of move-in. When a new tenant is ready to move in, it is important for the landlord and tenant to physically inspect the rental unit for any existing damage, obvious wear and tear, and to inventory landlord […]