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Next time, negotiate this Feb 11, 2022

You bought a new rental home.

It's in a great location.

It cash flows.

And the bathroom shiplap will be a hit with moneybag trendy Tenants.

There's only one problem.

A Tenant came with the house.

And the Seller's lease sucks.

He spent hours on Google before throwing in a few terms of his own. And...

Read on...
Lawyers doing math Feb 03, 2022

You want to evict a Tenant.

He's got a month-to-month lease.

Rent's paid. And he hasn't broken the rules.

* nice fella, but it's time to go (don't ask me why)*

You served a 30-Day Notice. The clock is ticking.

T-minus 30 days, right?

It depends.

A 30-Day Notice ends the tenancy on the last day of...

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Watch your mouth Jan 27, 2022

Your phone rings.

It's an unknown number.

Thinking it's a scam, you send it to voicemail.

Crap - a voicemail.

It's another Landlord wanting the inside scoop on your former Tenant.

Should they rent to this Tenant?

Did they damage the property?

Blah, blah, blah.

Wanting to help, you call the ol'...

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Your kids are crazy Jan 21, 2022

Fair housing.

It's not sexy, but important.

You try not to discriminate in your rental business (if so, better lawyer up).

But fair housing rules aren't always clear.

Take kids, for example.

You're fine with *good* kids.

But you don't want a pack of little mustangs running wild and free...

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When you can't charge pet fees Jan 14, 2022

Not all animals are pets.

And if it's not a pet, then "pet fees" don't apply.

You already *should* know that denying housing based on a disability is illegal.

And when the disability requires an animal, the rules change.

Service and emotional support animals (ESA) are not pets.

So you can't...

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Holy smokes Jan 08, 2022

It's obvious.

Smoke alarms save lives.

Carbon dioxide detectors, too.

But did you know it's a crime if you don't install these at your rental property?

That's right.  Johnny Law can take you down.

Even if your place didn't burn to the ground. 

All because alarms and detectors...

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Have we met? Dec 27, 2021

Good friends are hard to find.

And when you do, rooming together makes sense.  Sometimes.

Your Tenant wants to give it a shot.

She called to let you know her *new* BFF moves in this weekend.

Catch that?!?  She didn't ask you.  She told you.

Hmm...

Can your Tenant move someone in...

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Are you sending this security deposit notice? Dec 13, 2021

Chasing money is bad business.

That's why smart Landlords collect security deposits.

It's the best way to get paid when a Tenant damages the property.

Well, unless it's "reasonable wear and tear" - whatever that means.

But if you keep the security deposit, you must send this notice.

And no...

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Let's make a deal Dec 05, 2021

More money.  Less stress.

It's the best of both worlds.

As you Google brainstorm how Landlords can do this, don't forget:

Trading rent for labor is a bad idea.

It sounds like a win-win.

The Tenant takes *some* stress off your plate.

You discount the rent.

So what's the...

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Knock knock Nov 26, 2021

It's your house.

But it's rented to strangers who now call the shots.  Kinda.

So before stopping by to check on the place, better let them know you're coming.

And no, texting while on the way won't work.

You must give "reasonable notice of entry" before going in.

What's reasonable?

There's...

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We're no longer friends Nov 18, 2021

Ring ring.

It's your Tenant.

He's mad (again) at his roommate.

And called to let you know he's moving out this weekend.

Wait, what?

He's three months into a year lease.  

But now wants out because his roomie - you know, the one he picked - is a jerk.

Can he walk just...

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Cart before the horse Nov 13, 2021

Evictions aren't fun.

But get this out of order and you'll make a bad deal worse.

Before evicting a Tenant, you must "terminate the tenancy" (pardon the legal jargon). 

You do this with one of these forms:

Read on...