Tenant Verification Services provides landlords and property managers with a variety of screening options. Select a market to sign up or learn more.
The tenancy agreement outlines the rights and responsibilities regarding the care of the rental property, including whether it's the landlord or tenant who makes repairs. It may seem prudent to ask the tenant to take on repairs, especially in cases where a primary...
A school teacher turned landlord is one the latest to share her nightmare tenant story. She's been trying to evict her tenant after numerous police calls and neighborhood complaints. Just hauling away all of the abandoned junk could cost $9,000, according to a news...
A Minnesota landlord is in the news for its 22 pages of house rules that have some tenants saying they won't renew their leases. One tenant was compelled to call a local consumer hotline over the rules, which include prohibitions on texting, a limit of three guests...
A landlord in Berkeley, California is facing a lawsuit for wrongful death after two tenants died from carbon monoxide poisoning in a rental home. While it is clear that the tenants and their two cats died from carbon monoxide, the utility company failed to locate the...
Who Makes Repairs? A lease agreement can set out the rights and responsibilities of the landlord and tenant, including who makes repairs. However, landlords should understand that passing the responsibility onto the tenant has its risks: A landlord has a legal duty to...
Using a written Tenancy Agreement is key to managing rental properties. At the same time, the lease is a crucial tool in tenant screening. An applicant's reaction when presented with a lease agreement can signal potential problems. For instance, the tenant who is...
A Toronto landlord has backed off a demand that tenants pay a seasonal fee for the right to use portable air conditioners shortly after a tenant complained to news reporters. A tenant on a fixed income received notice that she would have to pay to use the air...
If you think tenancy laws are complicated, you're in good company. As difficult as it is for landlords, tenants are more confused about their rights and responsibilities, especially when it comes to roommate rentals. Landlords need to take the lead by crafting...
A Montreal condo owner finds himself in a unique position: he's the only permanent resident in a nine-unit condo conversion. All the other units, he says, are being run as short-term vacation rentals. In a news report, he describes walking the halls with strangers,...
From anchor bolts to water leaks, nothing spells income loss for landlords like property damage. Some of this damage may be preventable. To the extent that it is not, landlords still must understand the best strategies for pursuing tenants who cause damage to a...
Unfortunately, security deposits disputes are a common occurrence. One of the reasons for this is that too many tenants fail to understand how deposits work. For instance: A security deposit is not last month's rent. Some tenants believe they don't owe rent for the...
The owner and manager of four apartment complexes has agreed to pay $20,500 in damages to settle a lawsuit over the landlord's pet policy. The landlord allegedly demanded that tenants with disabilities pay pet deposits in order to keep companion or service animals at...
One of the country's largest apartment managers, Aimco, is stepping up the pressure on vacation rental service Airbnb. Aimco announced that it recently beefed up its previously filed claims against Airbnb by asking for an injunction against the service, restitution...
Recently there has been much discussion and confusion, about how to deal with, or not, individuals who have a criminal record when applying for rent. Below is a link concerning...Office of General Counsel Guidance on Application of Fair Housing Act Standards to the...
When it comes to the profitability of your rental business, there is one situation where a rental application is far more important than a lease agreement. Even the strongest lease language may not help reduce income loss if the tenant leaves early. It is highly...
The neighbours knew. The police knew. But the landlord apparently was unaware that the rental property had become a drug den. Calgary police say they were called to the suburban property 40 times in six months, including calls to attend three overdoses. Police also...
Eviction claims are difficult to navigate, and difficult to enforce. The process can take months and cause income loss, so it's easy to lose sight of the finish line. Here are some steps landlords can take in advance that make the process a little more palatable --...
Ontario's annual rent increase guideline for 2018 is set at 1.8 per cent. That figure represents the maximum a landlord can raise a tenant's rent without first seeking approval from the Landlord and Tenant Board. It applies to rent increases for the calendar year...
Do-it-yourself pest control at a rental property can lead to liability should tenants or guests be exposed to toxic chemicals. Likewise, maintenance workers who lack experience are ineffective at curbing infestations, and run the risk of injuring tenants by...
New York's City Council is considering a proposal that would require landlords within the city to inspect for and correct conditions that create indoor allergens. According to a statement released by The Coalition for Asthma-Free Housing, 48 of 51 council members...
