Helpful tips and articles to guide you to becoming a successful landlord!
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An Overview: The Protecting Tenants from Foreclosure Act
Posted July 15, 2010
Foreclosure rates have continued to rise across the country, including rental properties with an active lease agreement in place. The Protecting Tenants from Foreclosure Act took effect on May 20, 2009, and will expire on December 31, 2012.
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Pool Safety: Stay Informed and Protect Your Investment
Posted June 24, 2010
Pools can be an enticing amenity for many tenants, and can raise the value of a rental property considerably, but they also come with liability for the landlord. If you own a rental property with a pool or spa/hot tub, you have a legal responsibility to make sure it is safely maintained.
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8 Ways to Reduce Rental Vacancy Rates
Posted May 27, 2010
Hazard insurance, mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, break-ins, vandalism, maintenance, and landscaping are many of the costs associated with vacant rental properties. Reducing your vacancy rates to a bare minimum is extremely important, if you intend to have a successful real estate investing career.
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The Real Estate Investor's Guide to Improving Credit Scores
Posted May 14, 2010
Understanding the limitations bad credit may have, or the wonderful benefits of excellent credit, is especially important for real estate investors. Here’s a brief over view of how credit scores are calculated, and how you can increase your scores.
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Raising the Rent: The Landlord's Guide to Successfully Raise Rental Income
Posted May 14, 2010
Real estate costs rise over time, from property tax bills to insurance premiums to mortgage rate increases, so landlords sometimes need to raise tenants' rental payments.
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Collecting Rent Early & Other Tips for Peak Performance
Posted May 06, 2010
While many tenants initially perform well, over time many become lackadaisical with their rental payments, and their adherence to the rental agreement. Try out these five great tips that will help ensure your tenants (and your rental investments) stay in great condition.
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Top 5 New Landlord Mistakes to Avoid
Posted May 03, 2010
Being a landlord can be a dream come true for new real estate investors and with some work and expertise your reality. We can help with the expertise, but the work you'll have to put in yourself! Check out our top five rookie landlord mistakes, and by avoiding these you will be on your way towards a successful career in real estate.
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Spotting a Trouble Tenant: Safegaurding Your Rental
Posted April 29, 2010
From lawsuits, to destroying your property, a terrible tenant is a landlord's worst nightmare. Trouble tenants may even drag out the eviction process indefinitely, all the while living in your rental property free of charge.
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A Landlord’s Guide to Service Animals
Posted February 18, 2010
Many people with disabilities and/or health-care problems often rely on service animals for assistance with their daily lives. There are important points to consider when renting to a disabled individual with a service animal.
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Landlords Beware of Rent Check Scams
Posted December 18, 2009
I am sure you are well aware of the recent increase in fraudulent claims and Internet scams. It was only a matter of time before landlords would be affected. Please become informed, and avoid the possibility of becoming a victim.
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Designing Spaces Features EZ Landlord Forms!
Posted October 23, 2009
Multiple Telly Award-winning TV show Designing Spaces invites EZ Landlord Forms' CEO Kevin Kiene and legal counsel Paul Cohen to appear on the show and offer some landlording tips and advice.
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When Does the Landlord Have the Right of Entry?
Posted September 21, 2009
There's a delicate line between tenants' right to privacy in their home and landlords' right to maintain and protect their property, which can be a sticky issue between many landlords and tenants. Here's a quick guide to a landlord's right of entry, to help clarify this oft-confused issue.
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Nevada Landlord Tenant Law and Regulations
Posted September 09, 2009
It’s important when creating a
Nevada Rental Lease Agreement that you are in compliance with state regulations. Below are some important points that have been provided in a Question and Answer format by ezlandlordforms.com in association with Ryan Stibor, Attorney at Law.
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The Property Management Dilemma: Should You Hire A Property Manager?
Posted September 04, 2009
Hiring a property manager can be an effective way of shifting the burden of daily operations to someone else while still keeping your tenants happy. However, property managers are expensive, and they can also take control of your property away from you. That's why you need to understand how to hire the property manager that's right for you.
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Verbal vs. Written Rental Contracts: Do You Really Need a Signed Lease Agreement?
Posted September 03, 2009
Renting without a lease can be hazardous to your financial health. Although some landlords have successfully rented without one, you open yourself up to a lot of risk if the landlord-tenant relationship doesn't go the way you expect and there is no formal document to spell out liability.
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California Real Estate Investing: What Is It Like to Be a California Landlord?
Posted September 01, 2009
The California real estate market no longer has the allure it once did. Instead of having more renters than inventory of available properties, California landlords are finding that they have to develop strategies to keep their vacancies filled.
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Tenant Pet Policies: How Should Landlords Handle Pets in their Rental Properties?
Posted August 19, 2009
Before you rent to a tenant with a pet that may be considered dangerous, there are a number of factors you need to consider. Certified Property Manager Jesse Holland gives you valuable tips on what are the possible risks associated with having a "pets welcome" policy.
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Abandoned Rental Property? How to Tell if Your Rental Has Been Abandoned & What to Do with Abandoned Real Estate
Posted August 12, 2009
The number of abandoned apartments is on the rise. Landlords need to be prepared and know their rights so that they can take immediate action to secure their property and prevent loss.
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A Smoke-Free Rental Property: Is It Possible to Prohibit Smoking in Your Rental Property?
Posted August 10, 2009
There is a growing demand for rentals that have been designated smoke free. However, before you decide to turn your property into a non-smoking zone, you should understand all of the financial and legal ramifications of that decision.
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The New York City Landlord Experience: What Is It Like to Be a New York Landlord?
Posted August 05, 2009
Being a successful landlord in New York City is not without its challenges. However, if you have a good strategy to recruit tenants and learn from your mistakes, it can be a profitable experience.
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Mold Remediation: Mold Laws & What to Do if You Find Mold in your Rental Property
Posted August 04, 2009
As recent events have shown, the presence of mold in a building can cause tenants to take drastic measures to have the problem resolved. Instead of waiting for a tenant to react, landlords should be proactive and look for potential mold issues and resolve them in a timely manner.
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The Lease Option Agreement: Pros, Cons, and a Creative Approach to Real Estate
Posted July 29, 2009
In many real estate markets nationwide, property owners find themselves unable to sell their property at fair market value. So they are increasingly turning to a strategy known as a lease option agreement, which makes it possible for them to rent the property at an above market rate while retaining the possibility that the current tenant will eventually buy it.
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Rental Property Insurance: Coverage, Claims, & What to Look for in Rental Insurance
Posted July 23, 2009
Knowing what kind of insurance is necessary and what it covers is essential when it comes to protecting your assets. Equally as important is how to prevent loss so that you don't need to file too many insurance claims.
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Evaluating Rental Properties: What to Look for in a Rental Investment
Posted July 21, 2009
Finding a profitable rental property is a matter of doing your homework. In this article, Ben Spofford shows you what factors to look for before you decide to buy.
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Asset Protection for Rental Investing: Legal Entities, Lawsuit Protection, & Taxation
Posted July 15, 2009
Landlords face more risks than ever before, that's why it is so important to be sure that you are ready in the event of a lawsuit. Asset protection planning not only acts as a lawsuit deterrent in many instances, but it also helps you keep some of your assets if litigation becomes inevitable.
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Demystifying The Section 8 Housing Program
Posted July 11, 2009
The Section 8 housing program is a good source from which landlords can recruit a steady stream of tenants. In this article, Michael Minervini explains how the program works, and how to maximize your participation in it.
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Landlord Tax Strategies & Rental Property Accounting
Posted July 10, 2009
The current economy has negatively affected many landlords' ability to maintain profitability. A good way to add to your bottom line, is to learn how to maximize your tax deductions. Robert D. Lattas, an attorney and landlord, explains what you need to know to take advantage of the different types of deductions.
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The Real Estate Downturn and a Rental Market Case Study: Madison, Wisconsin
Posted July 08, 2009
The doom and gloom that fell over the real estate market at the end of last year continues to persist. However, there are some bright spots like Madison, Wisconsin, where even though the market climate isn't as good as it once was, they have found ways to hold on until it gets better.
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Security Deposits: Defining Normal Wear and Tear & How to Handle Security Deposit Disputes
Posted July 01, 2009
Although many states have specific regulations regarding security deposits, there are some general rules that apply across the board. Priscilla Nieto McDonald explains what security deposits are, and how they can be legally used by landlords whose tenants have abused their property.
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Renting to Immigrants: The Laws Affecting Landlords and Illegal Immigrants
Posted June 27, 2009
As the number of non-U.S. citizens continues to grow, they are quickly becoming am important market for services like housing. Professor Michael Seng talks about how renting to these consumers can be a double-edged sword and what to do to avoid the pitfalls.
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Renters Insurance: Worthwhile Landlord Requirement or Unnecessary Tenant Burden?
Posted June 24, 2009
Having enough insurance coverage is as an important to renters as it is to landlords. Renter's insurance, an often overlooked,option, not only provides significant benefits for the tenant, but it also has a definite advantage for landlords, too.
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Rent Collection: Quick Response, Debt Collection & Techniques to Collect Rent
Posted June 23, 2009
Collecting back rent doesn't have to be a difficult task. In this article, attorney Phil A. Taylor shows you how a quick response to the first sign that a tenant is falling behind can save you a lot of grief and a lot of money. He also discusses what to do when the collection problem has escalated into a situation that may require legal action.
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The Eviction Procedure: When & How to File Eviction
Posted June 19, 2009
Landlords should never put off evicting a tenant who has violated the lease agreement just because the process is complicated. Mike Hill, who has spent many years managing single-family houses, shows you how the process works, and how to avoid costly errors.
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Tenant Screening, Rental Advertising, & The Fair Housing Act
Posted June 11, 2009
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, familial status,or disability in all aspects of the rental process. In this article, attorney Nadeen Green discusses how this anti-discrimination focus applies to creating an ad for a rental unit. She also explains what types of landlords are subject to the law, what you can and cannot say, and how to stay compliant when you're screening applicants.
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Long-Term Real Estate Investing: Tips, Ideas, and Supply & Demand
Posted April 11, 2009
While there's plenty of uncertainty in the real estate world, there are some predictors of real estate appreciation that can be observed and utilized. Here are a few ideas to help in your long term real estate investing strategies, and remember the big picture!
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Critical Protection Tips for New Landlords
Posted June 25, 2008
Tips to find a good eviction attorney.
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Safeguarding your Rental Property from your Tenants, while Still Cashing In
Posted June 22, 2008
Learn how to safeguard your property, choose the right tenant, write a great lease agreement, and just in case, serve an eviction notice.
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Landlords, Collect that Judgment!
Posted March 13, 2008
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Landlords: Advertise your Rental and Select the Right Tenant, Legally
Posted March 13, 2008
Keeping In Compliance WIth the Fair Housing Rules
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Real Estate Investing Products and Links
Posted February 27, 2008
Find Links and Products for Real Estate Investing. These are products that we use and recommend for anyone who manages rental property.
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Why You Can Not Afford to Do Without a Top-Notch Lease Agreement
Posted May 22, 2007
Most great landlord-tenant relationships hold one key element in common: they’re built on the foundation of a concise, airtight lease. Like any other type of legal contract, the goal of a lease agreement is to clearly describe the terms of the rental relationship, spelling out the rights, responsibilities, privileges, and limitations that apply to both the landlord and the tenants.
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When Is the Right Time to Buy Real Estate? NOW!
Posted December 26, 2006
Wait for the right time to buy real estate, and you may still be waiting 10 years from now.
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To Flip It or Rent It
Posted November 29, 2006
Which will bring you the largest profits from Real Estate Investing?
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How to Get Started in Real Estate Investing Without Cash
Posted November 14, 2006
So you want to get involved in real estate investing, but you just don't have any extra money to get started?
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ezLandlordForms Press Release
Posted November 13, 2006
Landlords and Property Managers Vote YES for New One-Stop Online Document Resource.
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How to Choose a Good Investment Property
Posted November 07, 2006
What should you consider when purchasing a property for real estate investing?
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The Lease Agreement
Posted November 07, 2006
Q: What is the Most Important Document in Landlord/Tenant Court? - A: The Lease Agreement
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Making Money in a S-L-O-W Real Estate Market
Posted November 04, 2006
There are ways around a slow market that will allow you to earn an income, even while the home sales in your area are low.
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Why Does Investing in Real Estate Create Wealth?
Posted November 04, 2006
When investing in Real Estate, you may choose to buy and rent a property, or you may choose it 'flip it' (buy and sell quickly).
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How to Locate Wholesale Properties
Posted October 31, 2006
Finding properties to resell at a profit is relatively easy - if you know where to look.
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The Secrets to a Great Lease Agreement
Posted October 20, 2006
One of the most important aspects of renting property is having a good, ironclad Lease agreement.
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Rent Collection 101
Posted October 20, 2006
Collecting and receiving rent is the cornerstone of investing in rental properties.
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Nice Landlord or Mean Landlord
Posted October 20, 2006
Many Landlords make the mistake of getting too emotional and personal with their Tenants.