Top 5 Mistakes Landlords Make with Tenancy Agreements

October 8, 2018

Unfortunately, there is no one universally applicable tenancy agreement form that works for every landlord and every property. Individualized tenancy agreements that reflect the landlord’s preferences as well as local tenancy laws are the best way for a landlord to manage a rental property. But a poorly-constructed lease will not do the job. These are […]

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Where Tenants, Landlords Stand on Marijuana

October 8, 2018

Ratehub.ca, Canada’s leading financial comparison website, conducted a survey of 1,200 Canadians in July and August that provides valuable insights into what landlords may face as legalization looms. The survey makes clear that tenants are not aware of their rights when it comes to marijuana in rental homes. One in four tenants believes they should […]

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Manitoba Announces 2019 Rent Increase Guideline

October 8, 2018

Manitoba Rental Branch has announced that the rent increase guideline for 2019 is set at 2.2 percent. That guideline applies to rent increases throughout 2019. The figure is up from last year’s 1.3 percent cap. To increase rent, landlords must provide tenants with notice of rent increase at least three months prior to the increase. […]

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$8,500 Goes Missing: How Landlords Can Avoid Rent Theft

September 24, 2018

A property manager in Tallahassee has been charged with theft after allegedly cashing tenants’ money orders, according to a news report. A supervisor discovered the discrepancy after posting late notices to three tenants who claimed to have paid rent. When the supervisor researched the ledgers, she discovered potentially fraudulent entries. The property manager allegedly cashed […]

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Landlords and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

September 24, 2018

A corporate landlord in Nebraska has agreed to pay nearly $100,000 in damages and penalties to settle claims that it violated the rights of 65 servicemembers by charging early termination fees. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act is a federal law that protects those in the military who are deployed, relocated or retired by restricting actions […]

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Landlord Tips: Minimizing Losses After a Natural Disaster

September 24, 2018

From historic wildfires to record-breaking hurricanes and storm surges, it’s been a bad year for many landlords and tenants.  Yet few people outside of those immediately affected may realize the colossal toll recovery from these disasters takes on families and individual lives. Some people lost loved ones. Many more are rendered homeless. Even those fortunate […]

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City Opts for Tax Breaks Over Rent Control

September 24, 2018

Minneapolis lawmakers are banking on a new voluntary tax-incentive program to cap ever-increasing rents in the city rather than implementing rent control measures. Under a pilot program, the city is offering a reduction in property taxes to landlords who agree to keep rents affordable. The program incorporates a Minnesota tax statute providing low-income rent tax […]

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Landlords: Are You Asking Tenants the Right Questions?

September 10, 2018

Different landlords use different methods for screening tenants. For some, choosing the right tenant is as simple as a gut feeling. Others turn to artificial intelligence to conduct more elaborate personality tests to find the ideal renter. Rules that protect tenant privacy serve as a damper on what information a landlord can use to make […]

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Tips for Managing Students and First-Time Renters

September 10, 2018

Rental properties located near colleges and universities often are lucrative investments. Landlords enjoy a steady stream of prospective renters but leasing to students or inexperienced tenants is not without its challenges. Students tend to be young — 18-22 — and living away from home for the first time. These renters tend to be inexperienced with […]

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Landlord Punished for Double-Dipping: Understanding Sublets and Substitutions

September 10, 2018

An Ontario landlord is in the news after she was ordered to return rent she collected from students while at the same time subletting the property on Airbnb. After apparently signing a tenancy agreement, the students asked the landlord for permission to sublet their rooms over the summer so they could return home. The landlord […]

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