Closing the Lease Deal: How to Turn a Prospect into a Tenant
According to MPF Research, the apartment rental market is showing signs of improvement, as the vacancy rate declined from 8.2% to 6.6% in the first half of 2010. That’s good news for landlords. Perhaps you’re already seeing an increase in the number of prospective tenants viewing your rental properties. If you’d like to fill your [...]
Categories: Landlord Tips, Prospective Tenants, Rental Property Management, Rental Property Tips, Tenant Screening & Background Checks, Tips for Leasing Tags:
3 Reasons to Retain a Tenant in Your Rental Property
Regardless of the economy or the rental market, it is always a good time to retain your tenants. To keep tenants from moving out, some landlords have been offering incentives like free cable and even large-screen TVs to go with them. But is it really worth it to invest that kind of cash into keeping [...]
Categories: Housing Trends, Landlord Tips, Rental Property Management, Rental Property Tips, Retaining Tenants, Tenant Management, Tips for Tenant Retention Tags:
Property Management Tips: Staying Ahead of Maintenance
Whole volumes could be written about the difference between “damage” and “wear and tear;” but every landlord knows that tenants can be hard on a rental property. Most landlords have walked into a rental unit for a move-out inspection and been shocked at the damage they discover. Don’t fall into the habit of performing all [...]
Categories: Landlord Tips, Rental Property Maintenance, Rental Property Management, Repairs to Rental Property Tags:
Advertising Rentals: Include the Walkability Rating
When it comes to advertising a rental property, most landlords are sure to include the basics: the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, any included appliances, and of course, the area of town or neighborhood it’s in. But you might be surprised to hear that potential tenants also want to know about an area’s walkability rating. [...]
Categories: Advertising Walkability Ratings, Housing Trends, Landlord Tips, Rental Property Advertising, Rental Property Management, Walkability Rating, WalkScore.com Tags:
More Tips on Renting to Tenants with Pets
In this challenging market, many landlords are allowing pets in their rental units to gain a competitive advantage and fill vacancies. We’ve talked about various aspects of renting to pet-owning tenants before, but here are some additional considerations for landlords: 1. Fleas happen. In some areas, fleas are a huge problem; if animals go outside, [...]
Categories: Landlord Tips, Rental Pet Policies, Rental Property Management, Renting to Tenants with Pets Tags:
I’m Tired of My Noisy Tenant!
Elaine is a responsible, no-nonsense landlord. Her leases are clear and thorough, and her tenants generally live by her rules. Every now and then, however, Elaine signs a lease with a tenant who unexpectedly starts causing trouble—despite her checking the tenant’s rental history, criminal background, and credit. This time it’s a young woman who is [...]
Categories: Evicting tenants, Eviction, Landlord and Tenant Issues, Problem Tenants, Rental Property Management, Renting and Leasing, Tenant Screening & Background Checks, Three Day Notice to Perform Covenant or Quit, Three Day Notice to Quit Tags:
A List of Landlord “Don’ts”
Take a look at these true landlord stories—and avoid repeating their mistakes. These are definite landlord don’ts! George informed his landlord that he lost his job and can’t afford the apartment any longer, so he needed to break the lease and move. The landlord told George he’d be responsible for the rest of the rent [...]
Categories: Landlord and Tenant FAQs, Landlord and Tenant Issues, Landlord Don’ts, Landlord Don’ts Renting and Leasing, Landlord Tenant Lawsuits, Landlord Tips, Rental Property Management, Renting and Leasing Tags:
A Landlord’s Guide to Subleasing
Leases begin and end; tenants come and go. Often, life interferes with details like legal documents (leases) and a tenant comes to you with an announcement: “I’m moving, but don’t worry—I found someone to take over my lease!” For some landlords, this is when the worrying begins. For others, it’s not a big deal—having a [...]
Categories: Landlord and Tenant FAQs, Landlord and Tenant Issues, Landlord Paperwork and Forms, Rental Property Management, Renting and Leasing, Tenant Screening & Background Checks, Tenant Sublease, Who’s Responsible for Sublease? Tags:
Landlord Basics: Showing Your Rental Property to Potential Tenants
You’ve advertised your vacant rental property, had some calls of interest, and pre-screened the callers to weed out those that aren’t best-fit tenants for you. Now, you’re ready to show the property in person. Here are a few tips for a successful showing of your rental property: If you can, schedule an open house to [...]
Categories: Landlord Tips, Potential Tenants, Rental Property Management, Renting and Leasing, Showing a Rental Property, Tenant Background Checks, Tenant Screening & Background Checks Tags:
How to Deal with Cosigners on a Residential Rental Lease
Every landlord has his or her way of dealing with potential tenants who have less than stellar credit histories, or whose income is lower than the required minimum for a rental property. Many just outright reject the tenant applicant and move on until they find a better fit. Others take into consideration the tenant applicant’s [...]
Categories: Co-Signers on Rental Property Leases, Landlord Tips, Managing Lease Co-Signers, Rental Property Management, Renting and Leasing, Require Co-Signer on Lease, Tenant Screening & Background Checks Tags: