Failing to provide adequate detail of policies and practices or falling silent on important landlord-tenant issues (wherein a lease does not address an issue) can prohibit or limit a landlord from exercising his rights in enforcement of lease terms and conditions or in a defense against legal actions. There may be specific lease language required […]

A good lease agreement should include a clause regarding Rules & Regulations (R&Rs). The clause would make it clear that the R&Rs have the same force as a lease clause and state that they may be modified from time to time for the convenience, safety, or welfare of other tenants or even of neighboring properties. […]

Employment screenings can reduce the risks of negligent hiring, negligent retention, internal threats, and workplace violence. Employment screenings are risk mitigation measures to protect the organization against liability for employee acts and to protect the safety of the workforce. One-time employee background screenings conducted at time of hire may not be adequate to fully protect […]

Leads for filling a vacancy can come from personal referrals from tenants, family, friends, co-workers, business contacts within the community, rental property websites, online rental listings, traditional advertising, and social media. Qualifying leads to a good lead, that is, determining the likelihood of converting a lead to a prospect interested in becoming a tenant is […]

Local market conditions may be a determining factor in offering rental concessions. In order to quickly fill a vacancy and/or be competitive with other rental properties in the area, landlords could offer financial incentives, attractive lease terms, or unit upgrades to attract new renters. For landlords with rental property in less desirable neighborhoods, a rental […]

A landlord does have valid concerns about dog bite liability. For some landlords, the liability concern can be a determining factor in a decision to allow pets on the rental property. A dog bite victim’s medical costs are usually reimbursed through the dog owner’s homeowner insurance policy. When the dog owner is a renter and […]

Asking for feedback from tenants moving out can be a good business practice to help improve property operations. When departing tenants provide feedback, a landlord can use their responses to evaluate rental policies and practices to determine whether property operations need changes or additions. As an alternative to a discussion between landlord and tenant, the […]

With knowledge of an up-coming vacancy, a landlord can begin preparations to fill that vacancy. Before placing rental advertising, it is a good practice to review local market data trends, supply and demand, demographics, market rents, competition, and other conditions that affect local area renters’ consideration and choice for unit selection. A landlord should develop […]

The Fair Housing Act prohibits both intentional housing discrimination and housing practices that have an unjustified discriminatory effect because of race, national origin, color, sex, religion, disability, and familial status. Certain policies or practices of a landlord could be regarded as fair housing discrimination against protected classes when a person with limited English proficiency applies […]

A warning notice, oral or written, may be appropriate for a tenant’s first time violation of a lease term or condition that is not a material default of the lease or a potential threat to neighbors or property. A tenant whose previous behaviors have never been a problem may be responsive to an oral request […]