Resident (On-Site) Managers – Part 3 This article is the third of a 3-part series regarding resident managers, the first part having appeared in a March issue and the second part having appeared in a May issue of the Weekly Newsletter. Resources for detailed discussions of the subject are found at the end of this […]

Q1 I have a situation where I let a friend stay in a home that I have up for sale. He was to help with the mortgage payment and pay the utilities since I don’t live in the home. He did not follow through with his part, leaving me with hefty winter utility bills so […]

Effective April 22, 2010, federal law requires that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb more than six square feet of paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and trained to follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Lead safe practices include minimizing dust, containing […]

Q1 Can I legally prohibit waterbeds in my rental units? A1 That depends, mostly on the terms of your lease agreement. Most states will allow a landlord to prohibit waterbeds if the lease agreement so states. Unless there is a state or local law that says otherwise, a tenant would be allowed to have a […]

Entering Rental Units Some landlords mistakenly assume that they can enter their rental units whenever they wish – after all, it is their property. Many who realize that their state requires advance notice of entry do not fully understand the potential risks associated with entering under various specific scenarios. Even entering for an “in case […]

In the matter of fair housing, the difference between “fair” and “unfair” housing can be a matter of perception. If your words, actions, or attitude cause a prospect, applicant, or tenant to question whether he is receiving different or unequal treatment from that accorded to another individual you may find yourself defending against a charge […]

If “the first line of defense against bad tenants is having an adequate application form,” how strong is your defense? Are you confident your application form asks the right questions? Are there enough questions to provide sufficient information to begin screening? Are all the questions legal? Your application form is a key document in filling […]

Document Control Landlords and property managers utilize a large number of different documents. Some are used regularly, others only occasionally, and many landlords may never have need for certain ones. Use of adequate documentation is important for selecting good tenants, minimizing misunderstandings and the conflicts that often result from misunderstandings, meeting requirements of laws, and […]

The Most Valuable Screening Tool The biggest cost in the landlord business is the cost of vacancies. This includes the amount of time necessary to get the property ready, advertise the rental property, arrange showings of the property, and screen applicants. During this period of time there is usually no income from the property. Selecting good […]

Fair Housing Laws and Tenant Screening Management of rental properties requires knowledge and understanding of many federal, state, and local laws. Failure to adhere to applicable statutes can result in increased liabilities and being subject to fines and penalties. Fair Housing laws are of particular importance and a large percentage of fair housing claims are […]