Landlording 101: How to Get the Information You Need to Do Your Job

by | Mar 21, 2011 | Rental Property Management Tips

Q: Are there classes, online courses, or books that I can use to educate myself on the laws and do’s and don’ts of how to handle different tenant issues that come up?- TVS Landlord

Start with a Good Overview
One of the best ways to get an overview of the issues facing landlords is Every Landlord’s Legal Guidefrom Nolo press. This book has very specific guidelines to follow from move-in to move-out, and includes the necessary forms.  It is available for purchase on the Tenant Verification Service website.

Tenant Verification Service also provides a free Landlord Guide that offers an overview of the rental process and outlines how to find the right tenants–the key to a successful rental business.  Email our editor@tenantverification.com if you would like to request a copy.

Get Connected
Joining an interactive landlord forum is the best way to get answers to specific questions that come up during the rental process. The Tenant Verification Service newsletter is such a forum, where landlords can ask questions for our staff to research, and read questions and answers from other landlords.  Our blog, https://www.landlordtalking.com/ contains a library of articles on pertinent landlords topics, including tenant screening, eviction strategies, tenant debt collection, and rental property management

Local landlord associations also offer valuable benefits.  Many allow a guest to check it out before committing to a paid membership. These associations host guest speakers–usually over a lunch or dinner hour, and provide an opportunity to meet other landlords as well as service providers in your area.  Many associations offer workshops, seminars or provide local landlord guides.  The Clark County Rental Association in Washington State matches new landlords to a mentor who can answer questions.  The Lake Erie Landlord Association in Ohio provides member education seminars covering topics from eviction basics to investing tips, property repairs and maintenance.

Chances are your local association has a website, or you can search the phone directory, often under the Apartments heading. If you don’t find what you are looking for, send us an email, editor@tenantverification.com,  and we’ll see what we can find in your area.
 
Many landlord-tenant attorneys write articles and provide email subscription service alerting you when laws in your area change. You can also contact your local government rental board for suggestions of other resources.

This post is provided by Tenant Verification Service, Inc., helping landlords reduce the risks of renting with fraud prevention tools that include Tenant Screening, Tenant Background Checks, (U.S. and Canada), as well as Criminal Background Checks, and Eviction Reports (U.S. only).

Click Here to Receive Landlord Credit Reports.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as legal advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual legal counsel or consulting your local, state, federal or provincial tenancy laws.

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