Do-It-Yourself Landlord Guides
The Definitive Source for Information on Managing Properties, Tenants, and Yourself
Managing as a Landlord
Should You Be a Landlord? – If you are considering a career in investment property ownership (being a landlord), here are some basic skills, knowledge, and interests you should have to …
What are Your Responsibilities as a Landlord? – Setting clear expectations with your tenants demonstrates that you value your home and that you want to maintain a respectful tenant/landlord relationship …
Fair Housing Act: What It Means to You – Landlords have a broad latitude when choosing new residents based on their credit scores, criminal history, financial ability to pay, renting history …
Landlord Ethics – Ten considerations for landlords to help you meet your responsibilities to your clients and stay within the law …
How to Enhance Curb Appeal and Get Your Home Rent-Ready – A well-presented house appeals to more renters, meaning it will rent faster and for a higher price. To make a good first impression, think of curb appeal …
Managing Tenants
What are Tenant Selection Criteria? – One of the most important decisions you will make as a property owner is whom you rent to. How do you protect yourself, your property, and your return …
Tenants and Their Pets – Pets may be part of the family, but not every landlord wants them around. Animals can be disruptive to the neighborhood, cause damages, and add a huge liability. Pros and cons of allowing pets in your rental property include …
How to Handle Tenant Move-In and Move-Out—Tenants typically start deciding whether to renew their existing lease or move to another house several months before the lease expires…
How to Handle Tenant’s Abandoned Property – Have your tenants packed up and departed in the middle of the night, leaving you with unpaid bills, damages to your property, and piles of trash? As the landlord, there are serious legal details you must know…
Managing Properties
Wear and Tear vs Damage – A responsible landlord will return a security deposit to the tenants when they leave the property in acceptable condition. So what’s the difference between normal wear-and-tear and property damage? …
Utilities: Who Pays for Them? – When managing tenants’ move-ins and move-outs, determining the responsibility for utilities can be quite a challenge. Local governments control and regulate utility companies and many …
How to Landscape For Almost Free – Existing landscaping can make or break a potential tenant’s willingness to pay total market rent for a rental property. It also directly impacts how the tenants will maintain the landscape while renting …
Lead Paint: You Are Responsible – Before renting out your property, you must disclose any known information concerning lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards, such as the location of the dangers and the condition of the painted surfaces. You are also required to …
Going Green Made Easy – Homeowners are aware of their monthly utility bills because costs creep up in the winter when the furnace is burning, and they creep up again in the summer …
How to Manage Utilities During Occupancy Transitions – As a landlord, you are concerned about maintaining and protecting your property while minimizing costs. But what about utilities when the property is vacant? …
