Most landlords understand the importance of checking a rental applicant’s photo ID. But it’s not always obvious what to look for. When you speak with an applicant over the phone, be sure to jot down the person’s name, current address, and phone number. Let them know...

Q: We received a request from a couple to see our single-family rental. This couple has a companion dog for the wife who has anxiety. The dog is a pit bull. The husband said the dog was insured in case it hurt anyone. We do not have any fencing around our property and...

You've probably heard the phrase, "a bad tenant costs more than a vacancy." But just how much does a bad tenant cost? Let's look at an actual example. A tenant signed a one year lease and paid a security deposit. Shortly after moving in, the deposit cheque bounced....

Most landlords understand the importance of checking a rental applicant's photo ID. But it's not always obvious what to look for. When you speak with an applicant over the phone, be sure to jot down the person's name, current address, and phone number. Let them know...

A tenant wrote to us and asked, "Is it a violation of privacy for a landlord to take pictures of a rental unit if a tenant's personal items are also visible in the photos?" Tenant privacy is a subject that has been in the news recently after a landlord in B.C. allowed...

A diligent landlord will get a completed rental application from any prospective tenant. From there, they will review the information to see if the tenant is qualified for the particular rental. The information a landlord receives on the application can be verified to...

Retaining your best tenants is easy — you just have to understand what tenants want. For instance, when tenants choose a home to rent, they don’t just consider the location, or the amenities of a particular unit. They are looking for something in addition: good...

A Seattle landlord made the news this week because her new tenant has no electricity. The utility company refused to transfer the power because the previous tenant has a delinquent bill at that address. The report says that the outstanding balance is $1,900. Now, the...

A diligent landlord will get a completed rental application from any prospective tenant. From there, they will review the information to see if the tenant is qualified for the particular rental. The information a landlord receives on the application can be verified to...

Retaining your best tenants is easy -- you just have to understand what tenants want. For instance, when tenants choose a home to rent, they don't just consider the location, or the amenities of a particular unit. They are looking for something in addition: good...

Two recent lawsuits by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have caught the attention of many people in the multi-housing industry, because the outcome has the potential to affect how landlords can utilize criminal background checks when screening tenants. In...