When can I raise the rent? Are there rules on how much of an increase I can charge? Answer Absent any rent control restrictions, a landlord’s right to raise rents depends upon whether a tenant has a fixed-term lease agreement or has a month-to-month rental agreement. Raising rent for an existing tenant is a somewhat […]

How much rent can I charge? Answer A critical component of a landlord’s business is the setting of rents. The net cash flow from a rental property depends on the rents collected less the expenses of ownership and operation of the property. Additional cash flow usually results from tax savings due to depreciation deductions. Except […]

Question I own a rental house. Although the lease agreement states that no pets are allowed, the tenant’s dog damaged the plastic water supply line where it enters the house resulting in water damage in addition to the broken line. What can I do? Answer It depends on a number of things, including the terms […]

Question I own a rental home that I wish to list for sale. The lease includes the following clause: 12. INSPECTION OF PREMISES. The Landlord and/or Landlord’s agents shall have the right at all reasonable times during the term of this Agreement and any renewal thereof to enter the Premises for the purpose of inspecting […]

Landlord’s No Smoking Policy Does a no-smoking policy benefit multi-unit housing? Many landlords think so. A no smoking rental policy can help protect the landlord’s investment in the property and the health and safety of his tenants. As landlord, there is a legal duty of care to tenants to exercise reasonable care in the management […]

Question: Do you have a standard letter that I can send to a tenant where I can list the reasons that they will not be getting their security deposit back? Answer: We have a “Landlord Tenant Closing Statement” form available for most states. It is found by clicking “Forms by State” on the “Member Home […]

Bedbug Awareness Bedbug Awareness Week is an annual public outreach campaign by the pest management industry to help educate consumers about bedbugs, bedbug protection measures, and treatment protocols. This year’s awareness week was June 5-11. For reasons of consumer health, safety, and peace of mind, bedbug infestations are a serious concern that should not be […]

Question I am owed back rent from a property in Washington State by a tenant that has now moved to Idaho and a second person on the contract that was a guarantor that lives in Iowa. Both signed the contract. I’d like to take possibly both to small claims court. Do I do this in […]

Question Are there any guidelines regarding collection of and amount limitations for late fees in California? Answer From brief research, it is my understanding that the following applies to late fees in CA residential leasing. First, I’ll mention that, in order to minimize various potential problems related to rent payments, a landlord’s lease agreement should […]

Question Tenants notified me on the 19th of month that they would vacate the premises by 1st of month, only 6 months into a 1-year lease. It actually required until the 4th of the month before they had removed all their belongings and turned over their keys. Can I keep all their deposit since the […]