While criminal background checks have long been a part of the tenant screening process for landlords, recent legislation in some parts of the country has banned inquiries into potential tenant’s criminal backgrounds. These provisions are aimed at helping ex-convicts find Read more…
When screening potential tenants, it’s important for landlords to know all relevant housing laws so that they don’t unknowingly violate federal, state, or local laws or rental discrimination. As a baseline, all landlords should be familiar with federal housing laws. Read more…
When moving into a new rental property, there are many logistics for tenants to consider. Amidst the many tasks and responsibilities, it can be easy to overlook some of the key processes that tenants should be prioritizing during move-in. To Read more…
While some landlord and tenant laws are consistent from state to state, a number of states have odd laws that can make things difficult for everyone. Landlord-tenant laws are in place to give everyone fair access to housing, to help Read more…
There is a legal contract between a property owner and a tenant once the lease agreement begins. Both parties have responsibilities they need to uphold once the contract is signed, stating the expectations and standards upon each other. One of Read more…
Pets have long held special places in our hearts and homes, so why is it such a big deal to have a pet in a rental property? As people work and school at home, there’s more time to walk a Read more…
As you reach the next step in the leasing process, rental lease agreement, and move in, it’s crucial to follow the same process to help streamline tenant move-in. While forms and checklists are an important part of this process –– Read more…
This winter, as the novel coronavirus began to take hold of the country, many states, cities, and counties acted quickly to minimize the impact of the crisis on tenants, including placing moratoriums on evictions, holds on shutting off utilities due Read more…
As a landlord, you know that federal law prohibits you from discriminating against tenants when leasing your property –– that includes discriminating against families with young children, per the Fair Housing Act of 1968. You may not know that there Read more…
It’s that time of year again –– the busy season for landlords. As summer approaches and leases turn over, you’re busy handling the move-out of one renter, attracting and screening the next batch, and finally –– you’ve made it. It’s Read more…