Ensuring Tenant Privacy

As part of the rental application, a landlord needs to collect confidential data about a potential tenant in order to determine if they are suitable for the suite or home they wish to rent. Sensitive data may include employment information, bank account and credit history, social security numbers, and previous addresses, all of which are […]

Basics of Accounting and Taxes Every Landlord Should Know

You’ve spent hours researching how to set up a property for rent, the administrative side of becoming a landlord, how to cultivate good tenants, and a dozen other things you learn as a new property manager. One thing that you might not have thought of is all the accounting you have to handle. Chances are […]

A Quick Guide to Hiring an Attorney for Evictions

You’ve asked, begged, and pleaded for your tenants to pay their rent, get rid of the unauthorized pet, or stop disturbing the neighbors at midnight with uncontrolled parties. Being nice isn’t getting you the results that you need, so it’s time to look into your legal options. Eviction is a fairly straightforward process as far […]

5 Home Repairs To Handle for Your Tenants

Your tenants have needs — including maintenance on the space that they rent from you. If you‚Äôre lucky, you have reliable contractors who are always available when your tenants need them. However, you may have a maintenance contractor with a busy schedule and takes awhile to get to minor issues. Instead of making your tenants […]

Essential Obligations of a Landlord

Landlords have certain essential obligations that they must meet if they are in a leasing agreement with a tenant. Most of these obligations are derived from the local landlord/tenant laws that govern the lease. Obligations can also be specifically put into the lease itself. Every jurisdiction is a little different when it comes to a […]

Fair Housing Legislation: A Primer

The Fair Housing Act was first adopted in 1968 and covers most housing in the United States. In 1988, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development increased its power to enforce the Fair Housing Act to ensure that minority groups are not discriminated against by landlords and real estate agencies. Since 1990, the Americans […]

Low-Cost Kitchen Renovations That Boost Rental Value

It is no secret that kitchen renovations boost property value, so it should come as no surprise that an upgraded kitchen can also help to attract tenants and boost the amount that you can charge in rent. Unfortunately, major kitchen renovations run well over $10,000. If you are not able to put a lot of […]

Residential Lease Documents Explained

A properly completed residential lease, with all of important components, is essential to a proper landlord/tenant relationship. It’s in the best interests of all parties for everything to be laid out in writing, so don’t hesitate to ensure that all items are covered. Remember that each law covering leases will have subtle differences in each […]

How to Read a Credit Report

An individual’s credit report is one of the most important tools landlords should be utilizing to help ensure their properties are rented to the most qualified candidates in the market. Along with employment and past references, credit is a critical decision making tool, but it’s not as effective if it’s not completely understood.  This sample […]

How to Verify Contractor License

In most jurisdictions, a contractor must be licensed as a business and in their chosen specialty. This specialty license is issued by the Department of Labor and Industries or similar agency, and a number is assigned to the contractor. Most contractors are required to publish this number in all public communications. To verify the contractor […]