Our sense of smell is linked closely with memories and emotions, so unsurprisingly, the way your rental smells is important. Former tenants can leave behind stubborn odors that may be bad enough to deter prospective tenants; in some cases, these bad smells may even keep your unit vacant. So, how can you get your property… Read more »
Should You Have Active Shooter Insurance for Your Multifamily Property?
The deeply troubling trend of increasing gun-related violence is difficult to ignore. The wide range of places where these incidents occur – from schools and churches to night clubs and workplaces – suggest that they can happen anywhere. Unsurprisingly, this trend has many business owners nervous. It’s not uncommon for the families of victims to… Read more »
How To Improve Communication with Challenging Tenants
Communication is an essential skill for landlords and property managers. However, even those with excellent communication skills may feel at a loss on how best to communicate with tenants who cause problems. Dealing with a tenant who consistently pays their rent late or regularly causes issues with other tenants can stir up feelings of dread…. Read more »
How to Create and Use a Security Deposit Deposition Form
Every landlord understands the importance of collecting a security deposit to protect their investment property. In many cases, tenants are respectful of the property, so you won’t have to worry about withholding the deposits. However, what happens when you have a tenant who has caused damage to the property? How do you handle withholding some… Read more »
Can Landlords Prohibit Guns in Their Lease Agreement?
Gun ownership has become a particularly heated topic over the past decade, which prompts the question for many landlords: can you add a clause into your lease that restricts or prohibits firearms? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t clear-cut. In some circumstances, the answer may be dependent on what your state law says. In other situations, it… Read more »
How to Legally Remove a Bad Tenant Without an Eviction
As a landlord, few situations are as unpleasant as dealing with an unreliable tenant. Bad tenants may consistently pay their rent late (or not at all), cause trouble with your other tenants, or repeatedly break the rules outlined in the lease. Unfortunately, once they’ve signed the lease, there’s not much you can do legally to… Read more »
It’s Official: California Rent Control Bill Signed into Law
Rent control is here to stay in California – at least until 2030. On October 8, 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Assembly Bill 1482, which caps annual rent increases at 5% and imposes rules on just cause eviction. The legislation is meant to address the rising cost of housing and increasing homelessness affecting… Read more »
Tips to Improve Communications Between Property Managers and Owners
Effective communication is an essential skill for property managers to have. You communicate daily with tenants, service vendors, and of course, property owners. While all communication is vital, the importance of clear communication with owners can’t be overstated. You should have a thorough understanding of the owners’ needs, and the owners should feel secure knowing… Read more »
How to Be a Successful Long-Distance Landlord
It makes sense to many landlords to invest in properties near their own homes, but it’s certainly not a requirement. Whether you’ve moved away from the area, or you found a great investment opportunity out of state, you can still be very successful as a long-distance landlord. The key is to outsource tasks and responsibilities…. Read more »
23 Essential Questions to Ask Potential Tenants
One of the most critical decisions you’ll make as a landlord is selecting a tenant from your list of applicants. Bad tenants can be costly. They may cause damage to your property, consistently pay their rent late (or not at all) or even move out before the lease is up. On the other hand, a… Read more »