As states have begun to lift stay at home orders, online searches for terms like “apartments for rent” have started to increase. With many renters now on the hunt for new housing, there are a few things you should start doing to prepare. First, it’s strongly recommended that you read through the Centers for Disease… Read more »
Roommates: A Guide for Rental Housing Professionals and Renters
For many Americans, roommates are a necessity. High costs of living coupled with low wages and debt have made it difficult for people to meet all their financial responsibilities in many areas of the country. Unfortunately, this trend shows no sign of slowing; if anything, it’s likely to increase with the economic fallout from job… Read more »
Streamline Your Rental Tours with the Best Virtual Tour Apps
Virtual tours have grown in popularity over the years; thanks to the development of smartphone capability and apps, property managers and landlords can show off their rental properties to many prospective tenants at the same time. Renters also benefit, as they can search for housing and view the properties they’re interested in without ever leaving… Read more »
How to Prepare for a Potential Wave of Evictions
Earlier this year, states rushed to put a halt to evictions in response to COVID-19. As some states have now begun the process of reopening, the multifamily housing industry may be at a crossroads with evictions. Eviction moratoriums are set to be lifted in several states, with courts scheduled to begin hearing eviction cases later… Read more »
Could Security Deposit Bans Be on the Horizon?
As a landlord, security deposits are one of the most vital tools you have. While these deposits can only be used in specific instances, they ensure you don’t lose out on money if the tenancy doesn’t go as planned. Unfortunately, security deposits are the latest rental policy to come under fire. The affordable housing crisis, in… Read more »
Fair Housing Considerations during COVID-19
With things changing rapidly in the rental housing industry, you may have missed the recent statement put out by HUD. The notice, titled HUD Statement on Fair Housing and COVID-19, has several key takeaways that are important to note. Fair Housing Laws Still Stand The first important takeaway is that fair housing requirements, as well as… Read more »
Protect Your Property with Roommate Screening
With inmate releases, pandemic-related job loss, and a potential wave of evictions on the horizon, we’ll likely see larger numbers of people choosing to cohabitate. What does this mean for you as a property manager or landlord? There’s a good chance one of your tenants may ask you to consider allowing them to have a… Read more »
Important Steps You Can Take to Avoid Tenant Fraud
Over the past couple of months, COVID-19 has caused the U.S. job market to take a significant dive, erasing nearly all the gains that were made since the 2008 recession. The 2008 housing crash shook the economy for years. Tenant fraud increased as many applicants attempted to hide their poor credit scores, evictions, and low… Read more »
Tips for Checking in on Your Tenants’ Wellbeing During COVID-19
As the social restrictions for COVID-19 have begun to die down and everything is starting to reopen, renters are likely to start looking for housing again. One of the questions many property managers are likely to hear from applicants is, “How did you handle COVID-19 with your tenants?” There are many ways to be a… Read more »
Prevent Tenant Privacy Violations with Effective Communication
Has COVID-19 made you more concerned about the state of your rental property? If so, you may be considering an inspection. However, before you pay your tenant a visit, it’s important to take their privacy into consideration. Most state laws allow landlords to enter their tenant’s homes under specific circumstances, but they must meet certain… Read more »