A powerhouse of well-funded community activists is promoting the "Clean Slate" initiative, a movement aimed at helping individuals charged with crimes rehabilitate by clearing their criminal history. In August, federal lawmakers introduced the Clean Slate Act of 2018....
Category
Rental Property Management Tips
Landlords in Hot Water Over Reasonable Accommodation Rules
A slew of prosecutions against landlords last month highlights the need to review policies regarding reasonable accommodation of tenants with disabilities. In the most recent case, the owners and managers of an apartment complex in Las Vegas have agreed to pay $6,000...
Californians Say No to Rent Control
California's contentious Proposition 10, a measure designed to expand rent control across the state, was dealt a resounding defeat when more than 60% of voters rejected it. The election results provide a reality check for other local governments across the country...
6 Tenant Screening Strategies That Always Work
There is a lot to know about screening tenants - and a lot at stake. Choosing good tenants is the cornerstone of a profitable rental business. These tried-and-true tenant screening strategies always work when it comes to finding the right tenants and preventing costly...
Landlord Tips: How to Improve Your Move-in Condition Report
Granted, it's difficult to get excited about move-in and move-out condition reports. But it might help to consider that these smart little spreadsheets are what allow you to collect for any damage that a tenant might cause. In fact, a landlord can use condition...
10 Tips for Avoiding Damage to Your Rental Property
Every rental property is going to undergo some level of wear and tear. It's inevitable. But that doesn't mean landlords can't take steps to prolong the life -- and value -- of each rental unit: 1. Check rental history. When screening tenants, watch for a pattern of...
Should High Schools Offer Classes in Renting?
A recent opinion piece in HuffPost Canada suggests adding tenants' rights to the curriculum for high school students. That's an excellent idea, but it doesn't go far enough. According to the article, Ontario currently is running a pilot program in the secondary...
What Smart Landlords Know About Lease Agreements
Have an ironclad lease? A lease agreement can be tricky. If it's too generic, it won't protect the landlord. If it's too one-sided, it may not be enforceable. And if it's too confusing, tenants won't understand what is expected of them. Whether you're a first-time...
Restrictions on Kids Spark Lawsuit Against Landlord
A Texas landlord and property management company are facing a discrimination lawsuit over restrictions they placed on children. Those restrictions resulted in the manager levying a fine of $250 -- one half of one month's rent -- on the parents of two children, ages 5...
U.S. Rents Hit Record High as Rent Growth Slows
U.S. apartment rents spiked in September but rent growth this fall is slower than last year, according to the latest quarterly HotPads® Rent Report. Hotpads, which compiles data from rental listings in 35 major metro areas, found the current median rent is $1,500 per...