Tenant Verification Services provides landlords and property managers with a variety of screening options. Select a market to sign up or learn more.
Rent increases are the mainstay of profitable rentals. For the largest rental markets -- like New York City or Los Angeles, raising rent may not be an option. In rent control cities, landlords must follow the letter of the law when it comes to increasing rent. With...
Complaints are piling up in Colorado as tenants affected by floods turn to landlords for help. If landlords are slow to respond, tenants go to news agencies and public officials to complain. This latest natural disaster underscores the importance of having an...
Each day, legal disputes arise between landlords and tenants. Some end with the landlord owing the tenant money, or unable to enforce the lease provisions. Following the best leasing practices will eliminate many of these disputes, and protect your legal rights as a...
Q: I signed a lease with a new tenant last month. The tenant was about to move in, and then decided not to. Now, the tenant wants me to return the last month’s rent and leave. Can they do that? Do I owe them that? I feel that they need to pay me two months to cover 60...
The allowable rent increase for conventional residential tenancies in British Columbia during 2014 is set at 2.2 per cent. Manitoba's 2014 rent increase guideline is 2.0 per cent. By comparison, the 2014 rent increase for Ontario is 0.8 per cent, and all future...
The appeal of smoke-free apartments continues to grow. Currently, there are more tenants seeking smoke-free housing than there are nonsmoking units available to rent. Studies, like one conducted by Smoke-Free Housing BC, show as many as 86% of respondents are...
Finding the right tenant is a numbers game — at least in theory. The more applicants you attract, the higher the likelihood that several of those will be good prospects. Or, at least it would seem. But in practice, when finding a tenant, less can be more. Consider how...
Each day, legal disputes arise between landlords and tenants. Some of these disputes end with the landlord owing the tenant money, or unable to enforce the lease provisions. Follow the best leasing practices and protect your legal rights as a landlord: Make sure your...
The appeal of smoke-free apartments continues to grow. Currently, there are more tenants seeking smoke-free housing than there are nonsmoking units available to rent. Studies, like one conducted by Smoke Free Washington have placed the no-smoking preference at over...
Keeping score is a good thing, especially when it comes to evaluating your potential rental profits. In the rush to fill vacancies or get through a one-year tenancy, it’s easy to lose sight of long-term goals. But there’s always time to step back and review your...
Finding the right tenant is a numbers game -- at least in theory. The more applicants you attract, the higher the likelihood that several of those will be good prospects. Or, at least it would seem. But in practice, when finding a tenant, less can be more. Consider...
A property manager in Lynn, Massachusetts recently was plagued by two violent crimes. In a news report, the manager details how his company has been proactively working with the local police department to evict the bad tenants and make the property safer for all...
Keeping score is a good thing, especially when it comes to evaluating your potential rental profits. In the rush to fill vacancies or get through a one-year tenancy, it's easy to lose sight of long-term goals. But there's always time to step back and review your...
As students line up for rental housing this fall, landlords are reminded of the need to educate tenants about fire safety. “Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility,” says Orillia Fire Chief Ralph Dominelli. “Landlords and students each have responsibilities to reduce...
Q: Exactly what do you say when rejecting an applicant? Discrimination lawsuits are running rampant, and it’s not difficult for a rejected applicant to turn a rejection into a legal nightmare. Saying a space is rented and then not taking down the advertisements seems...
A property manager in Lynn, Massachusetts recently was plagued by two violent crimes. In a news report, the manager details how his company has been proactively working with the local police department to evict the bad tenants and make the property safer for all...
Keeping rental properties running smoothly takes planning, and consistency. Common mistakes, like the ones listed here, are likely to fuel problems down the road: Mistake #1: Not Screening Tenants. Despite the risks, it’s still common to find landlords who trust that...
A property management company agreed this week to pay $15,000 to settle an allegation of discrimination. The company, which manages properties nationally, was accused of discriminating against a family when it refused to renew the lease on a two-bedroom property for a...
Q: How can I reject a prospective tenant based on the sixth sense I get when meeting the person and feeling that their character is not desirable to work with? -TVS Landlord If you are getting a bad vibe from a prospect, chances are it’s legitimate. Instinct or a...
Q: Exactly what do you say when rejecting an applicant? Discrimination lawsuits are running rampant, and it’s not difficult for a rejected applicant to turn a rejection into a legal nightmare. Saying a space is rented and then not taking down the advertisements seems...
