Drafting A Credit Policy For Your Tenants

The key to finding good people to rent to is to have a consistent policy. Develop a good set of rules and don't deviate. This is the best way to avoid Fair Housing law suits and to find the perfect renter.

Advertising The Rental Vacancy

The Federal Government has guidelines for how to advertise, the language you can use and even the kinds of images you can use. How to avoid nuisance law suits and protect yourself.

Can a Landlord go on Vacation? Yes

You heard a lot of reasons why not to be an active landlord when you first got into real estate investing. One of them was this- you'd never be able to take a vacation again. Maybe now it's been five years since you bought your first property, and you really haven't taken a vacation in all that time. Those travel brochures look pretty inviting. Or maybe there's an investors convention or cruise where you could relax and get new ideas about our industry.

Better Screening = Better Tenants

Take the time to screen your applicants better and you'll have better tenants.

Eviction Information for Landlords

Laws vary from state to state, but when you add up the costs and time down of an eviction, the results are the same. Preventative medicine is the solution.

New Laws On Tenants' Deposits

Ever since the Assured Shorthold Tenancy came into being in England in 1989 the arrangements regarding tenants' deposit monies has caused problems. Some landlords made spurious claims against this cash, some tenants would never agree to any deductions, regardless of how much damage they had caused. Usually the letting agent was left to sort the matter out, often alienating both sides. Now new legislation has come forward addressing the issue. But will it work?

Vacation Property Letting Via The Web-Is It Worth It?

Regardless of whether you own 1 or 100 properties you let out for vacations and holidays the key to your success is getting rentals in. Typically many property owners use letting agents, whilst others adopt a more DIY approach using in the main the WWW, but which method is best and why?

5 Top Tips For Residential Landlords

If you have residential property you rent out, or are thinking of entering this market, one of the best ways to keep property fully let and income producing, is to look after your tenants. Surprisingly, many landlords don’t do this, and ultimately they lose out. The only surprising thing about this is, that they are surprised! Here are my five top tips for new landlords-

Tenant Background Checks

As a landlord, having the right tenants proves to be very important. There are many warning signs exhibited by a problem tenants, and some may not be instantaneously visible. Repeat offenders are experts at getting by landlords, and a landlord cannot always rely on gut feeling or first impressions when dealing with a prospective tenant. A landlord can take specific steps in order to avoid problem tenants. A prospective tenant can be asked to fill in an application. This application should be reviewed on submission. It should be made sure that the information provided is complete and accurate.

Lessons From an Overfriendly Landlord

Advice on keeping the relationship with your tenant professional.

Property Management: Online Rental Applications Must Be Encrypted

One of the most common mistakes I see on property management websites is a company that decides they want to take online rental applications using a non-secure form. Rental applications require 1 or more social security numbers which, in the hands of hacker, can lead to identity theft and fraud. Using a non-secure form to gather this sensitive information makes you liable and party to possible criminal acts.

Dealing With Problem Tenants

If you're going to be a landlord you'll have to deal with problem tenants sooner or later. Unfortunately, this is one part of being a landlord that you will just have to deal with.

Good Communication Could Help Avoid Eviction Action

Before you start your eviction, there should be no doubt between you and your tenant why the legal action must take place. Learn how to communicate with your tenant, and how to properly document your case before you start a residential eviction.

Risk and Benefits of Being a Landlord

Investing in real estate is a great way to increase your wealth through capital apprecation. However, if you are interested in buying and renting residential properties there are several things to consider.

Maximising Property Investment for New Entrants

So you are new to buying investment property and you need to know about investment property loans. Borrowing money to invest in property can be a very tricky business and it is a good idea to research your field before committing yourself to a huge loan. One way of doing this is to get advice from the people who have already dealt with investment property loans and who are happy to advise new entrants into the property market.