Tenant Verification Services provides landlords and property managers with a variety of screening options. Select a market to sign up or learn more.
When deciding whether to remodel a rental property, a cost-analysis should take into account whether the property is tenant-occupied. Otherwise, the decision to inconvenience the existing tenant for the sake of future tenants may lead to income loss. First, it's...
A landlord describes how a tenancy turned sour after only a few days. The tenant applied for the vacancy using email. She claimed to be a working professional. However, as soon as she moved in, she apparently applied for government assistance and stays at home all of...
There have been a number of cases reported recently where tenants have won monetary awards against their landlords for violation of quiet enjoyment. The monetary awards in these cases have been significant. For instance, in the last six months, one tenant was awarded...
Having a plan in place is the best way to save time and money when managing a rental property. Take tenant complaints, for instance. These three issues undoubtedly will come up at some point, but with a little advance planning, a landlord can sail right through the...
British Columbia has introduced new legislation that will close what lawmakers call a major loophole to rent control. Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Selina Robinson announced that the legislation will prohibit landlords from using a "vacate" clause to...
While rent is a key factor in the profitability of any rental property, additional fees and charges can prove more troublesome, and can even cause income loss. Here's a look at the most common problems landlords face when calculating rent, fees and deposits:...
It's crucial to run a tenant credit check on any tenant no matter how solid the person appears to be. But tenant screening is not as simple as running a credit report and then signing off on a lease. Here's why: 1. The most obvious reason to run a credit report on a...
The landlords of a three-unit building in Pittsburgh currently are facing a discrimination claim after allegedly posting rental ads stating, “Not suitable for children/pets.” The charge, filed by HUD, alleges that a local fair housing office noticed the ads posted in...
Online retailer Amazon is reporting that a number of major property management companies have signed up for its Hub service, a system that stores tenant packages, according to a news report. Tenants can access the Hub at any time, freeing up leasing agents who...
In order to properly qualify a rental applicant, a landlord needs to have the right information. That means asking the right questions. Here's what every landlord needs to know about a rental applicant: 1. When are you planning to move? Don't waste your time showing...
Ever had a good tenant move out and leave a mess? No matter how well you screen your tenants or manage the property, the move-out process can break down, and the landlord has to scramble to restore the unit and get it back into service to avoid income loss. One...
A landlord reports that her nightmare tenancy ended with the city ordering her to tear down her rental unit, and a lawsuit for failing to return the security deposit to the tenant. According to the landlord, the tenant moved in and then almost immediately began to...
Manitoba 2018 Rent Increase Guideline Set Manitoba Rental Branch has announced that the rent increase guideline for 2018 is set at 1.3 percent. That guideline applies to rent increases throughout 2018. The figure is down slightly from the 2017 cap of 1.5 percent....
Asking the right questions is key to finding the right tenants. Those questions need to be targeted so the information is helpful in evaluating qualifications. Collecting irrelevant information not only increases the risk of a discrimination claim, but also makes it...
After watching the fury of hurricanes Harvey and Irma, no one doubts the brute force of nature. Yet few people outside of those immediately affected may realize the colossal toll that recovery takes on families and individual lives. Some people lost loved ones. Many...
It's officially autumn, and the chill in the air reminds us that winter is not far off. Landlords face special liabilities in the winter months, so now is a good time to prepare: 1. Winter can increase the likelihood of carbon monoxide poisoning as tenants are more...
A Seattle landlord is suing the city for defamation for referring to him as a slumlord and linking his name to anti-slumlord legislation. According to reports, the landlord is considering expanding the lawsuit to include an individual councilmember. The case arose...
Multiple evictions for failure to pay rent or causing property damage is as bad as it gets when it comes to rental applicants. Unfortunately, landlords can't easily access prior eviction information or court records. So, landlords have to read between the lines and...
Do landlords ask too many questions? In a public statement entitled "Privacy Commissioner launches investigation into over-collection of personal information by landlords", B.C.'s Acting Information and Privacy Commissioner announced that he is reviewing tenant...
British Columbia's annual allowable rent increase for 2018 has been set at 4.0%. That is the maximum amount a landlord can increase rent for many residential properties. The 2018 figure is up slightly from 3.7% in 2017. According to the British Columbia Residential...
