Posts Tagged ‘Rental property’

Tenant’s Rights

October 13th, 2011

Knowing your legal rights as a tenant will help you make an intelligent decision especially when you have been evicted by your landlord. There is no use arguing with your landlord especially when you’re a tenant having trouble with your landlord because the fact still remains that there are other constructive ways to solve a problem other than arguing. Since tenants can experience unjust procedures from their landlords, the government has to protect their rights.

Problems or disputes arising between tenants and landlords should be reviewed only by a licensed attorney since landlord/tenant laws generally vary from state to state and items especially rent control also varies from city to city. Know your rights.

Landlords can do unjust procedure to tenants so when your landlord threatens to lock you out and cut you off from your utilities, don’t panic. Know your rights especially if you intend to stay longer on the property. It might hard to buy a new home these days so you better know the situation and make amends.

Know your rights as a tenant because you may have a few defenses available to you in an eviction lawsuit. What if your time is up but you don’t want to move? In this case, read about the effect of rent control laws on whether or not you must move when evicted.

There are times that you may not have to leave especially if the landlord is practicing discrimination or retaliatory eviction. If your landlord insists that you move, do you have to? What if your time is up but you don’t want to move? In this case, read about the effect of rent control laws on whether or not you must move when evicted from Antioch TN homes.

Before you get evicted from living in Chester Springs Real Estate know your rights as a tenant. But if you decided to stop renting and proceed to buying, visit Homes in Baltimore Maryland for more property options.

Syracuse Property Management-3 Things To Look For

September 8th, 2011

Look for these 3 things in syracuse property management

So you own some rental property and you also need Syracuse property management services? When looking for a property management company locally, you need to search for 3 specific things before signing a legal contract or visiting a contract.

First of all, you ought to begin your search by being prepared to ask some tough questions. By far the very first things you will need to ask potential property management companies is that if there is a listing of satisfied clients. Seeking referrals is another wise idea especially considering that most property owners do not live in town the location where the actual property is

Secondly, owners should be asking just how long the property company has been in business and what types of services can they offer. The one thing that amounted to homeowners more than anything else is the repair off the house. An excellent Syracuse property management company must not cost you more than Twenty percent of your gross rents every month. On top of that, you ought to plan on spending yet another 20-30 percent of gross rents on planned and unplanned maintenance expenses.

The single thing that separates good from bad property management companies is when they handle communicating and managing routine and unexpected maintenance using their owners. The worst thing you would like will be misinformed and held in the dark. A great management company will get the phone to contact you and let you understand what is being conducted in the timely matter.

Lastly, when searching for the best Syracuse property management company in Syracuse, you need to call the different agencies in the city, to see not only what they’ve got to provide in terms of service, but exactly how they treat yourself on the telephone. When you get the cold shoulder at first, do not expect that to change soon. Also, get their pricing upfront, to help you effectively compare the various management companies in town against each other. Getting a reliable and trustworthy company to manage your apartment can appear frustrating, but when you follow these guidelines, you’ll emerge at the top. Do some comparative doing your research and ensure you are feeling good about your final decision.

Learn more about Syracuse Property Management. Stop by our site where you can find out all about Syracuse Property Managers and what it can do for you.

Information for Irish Landlords and Tenants

February 8th, 2011

The following write-up includes tips for landlords planning to let and tenants looking to rent in Ireland. If you are a landlord in Ireland, then you will have to have a Building Energy Rating or BER certificate should you desire to let your property. This certificate is compulsory for all houses and apartments being presented for letting from the 1st of Jan 2008. If you do not have a certificate then you ought to contact one of the numerous BER assessors throughout the country. An average BER certificate for a house will probably cost more than 150.

As a landlord you must supply a written letting agreement or lease. All payments made to the landlord, need to be recorded by written statement. You need to, by law, make sure that your residence complies with particular minimum standards – e.g. totally free from damp, in very good structural repair, cold and hot water, adequate ways of heating and ventilation, appliances in good working order, electrical wiring, gas, pipes in very good repair. You’re required to carry out repairs except where damage beyond regular deterioration has been caused by the renter.

Tenants have entitlement to quiet and peaceful enjoyment of their residence. As a landlord you are permitted enter with your tenant’s permission. Should you have to carry out repairs or inspect the premises, it should be by prior arrangement with your tenant.

You need to return quickly any down payment paid by the tenant. The deposit may be held on to or deductions made where there are 1) rent arrears or 2) costs accrued to repair damage above regular deterioration 3) cleaning up costs 4) unpaid electric bills.

Any houses which are rented are needed by law to be registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board within 28 days of letting. There are some exceptions such as: holiday lets, in which the landlord is a relative of the tenant; where the landlord is resident. For additional info you can contact the Private Residential Tenancies Board. Landlords who don’t register are liable to prosecution.

If you are looking to rent or let property in Waterford then visit BookaRoom.ie. We also have a wide range of office space to rent in Waterford.

Saving Money During A Down Economy

September 5th, 2010

Every newspaper we open and every blog we read all seem to have an underlying theme; the recession. Writers everywhere are talking about the terrible impacts the economy has had on everyone. Some of these impacts include the housing market crash, loss of jobs, declining stocks and more.

I do not want to deny the current situation we are in as it’s effected many people. I do, however, want to look for a brighter side of things for everyone.

With the current struggles our economy has been faced with, property managers are competing for your business. This means prices are being lowered and more is being offered. Property managers want you to fill their apartment vacancies to avoid losing money.

Since properties are competing for your business, this allows residents a smaller ability to negotiate to better fit their needs. Before you can begin, thoroughly research all apartments within an area. A simple way to do this is through an Internet Listing Service (ILS) as they have thousands of apartments posted for you to browse.

Keep track of number of bedrooms, square footage and amenities as a way to compare among other communities within the area. When you walk-through an apartment, keep detailed notes on the condition of the apartment for future reference. All this information can be easily tracked by using a spreadsheet in Excel or within Google Docs.

Also, as you’re researching different apartments, look at apartments that are slightly more expensive. Although it may seem a strange suggestion, you’ll be surprised what you can make work. Look for differences between the slightly more expensive apartments and compare with apartments more within your budget.

If there are no noticeably large differences, talk with the leasing agent at the apartment community that is slightly more expensive. Talk with them about your desire to rent, but tactfully explain the similarities of the nearby apartment for a lower cost. Many times, leasing agents will be willing to negotiate.

During the negotiating process, keep in mind that property managers want stable residents. Talk with them about your desire to rent for a few years and not just a few months (but only if that is really the case). Remember, always be honest, and for now, enjoy one of the few benefits of the recession.

Author Henery Drake is available to help you if you are trying to find Lowell MA Apartments. If Massachusetts is where you are moving, check out the lowell apartments, it may be the last place you have to look.

Home Property Management Services For Your Peace Of Mind

August 18th, 2010

Owners of rental homes may hire home property management services. These are are people who manage rental houses professionally. Such kind of services are offered by a lot of firms.

Owners of rental homes may opt to personally manage them. This is quite possible although the challenge comes when they have busy work schedules, if there are several homes involved or when the homes are scattered in different areas. This could be a challenge mentally and also physically.

The owner may alternatively hire the services of professional home managers to manage them on his behalf. Numerous companies have licenses to offer these kind of services. They charge a percentage of the monthly rent collected. Once they are hired they undertake quite a number of responsibilities.

They get occupants for these houses by advertising and this includes those that become vacant. Potential occupants are shown round the homes. They cross check a tenant’s references before they accept him to ensure he is good. Upon accepting the tenant, they note the contents of the house and also handle keys.

Any repair works and house maintenance are taken care of by these managers. They take care of payment of any utility bills. They handle all complaints from the tenants too. They perform inspections occasionally to find out if the tenants are caring for the homes. Notices are sent to any tenant who violates the regulations and laid down rules of the tenancy.

They take charge of rent collection and hand it over to the owner. They demand prompt rent payment by the tenants and deal with defaulters and also handle eviction when there is need. They can also give the owner accounts of activities and expenditures on a monthly basis for the sake of accountability.

Majority of the areas have home property management companies that are reputable. They are also available online. Those who hire such firms to oversee the management of their rental homes may have peace of mind.

Next, if you want to find out more about home property management, then visit Premier Property Management on how to choose the best annual rentals in Naples.

Buying Mobile Home Parks vs. Apartments

March 7th, 2010

Is a mobile home park or an apartment complex the investment opportunity for you?

Having owned 5 mobile home parks and one 22 unit apartment complex, our choice is the mobile home park. The reasons are many, but I will highlight a few of the most important for you.

Permanent buildings always cost more than spaces, so the initial investment should be substantially less with the mobile home park. Location and quality of properties may provide the exception to the rule, but generally the better value will be the mobile home park.

In any business, you need to look for tax savings. Those dollars are needed in other places. With our current tax laws, you can save 1/2 on depreciation alone. Land improvements such as paving, new utilities, fencing, etc. may be depreciated over a period of 15 years. Apartment buildings, on the other hand, are on a 27.5 year schedule.

If you are interested in using mobile homes in your park as rentals, they must be put on the 27.5 year schedule. However, and this is a big plus, your cost for the home will be substantially less than for apartments.

We have found the repairs to be much less with mobile homes. All the plumbing is under the home and easily accessible. Granted, having to make repairs is not fun, but you will save time and money by not having to tear out walls.

If you are only renting spaces, your repairs are almost non-existent!

Vacancy rates are another reason to choose mobile home parks over apartments. Mobile home owners who will be renting a space from you face a large moving bill should they wish to relocate to another park. Most will not move as long as you are maintaining a clean and safe environment. If you go the extra mile and develop a community, people will not want to move from your property.

Compare this to a typical apartment lease of one year and the stability of the mobile home park wins every time.

Careful screening of applicants, good management, and high quality property maintenance are the ingredients you need to have in place for either type of investment.

If you want to know how to manage a mobile home park, our step-by-step videos and instructions will teach you virtually every aspect of mobile home park property management. Visit us at MobileHomeParkClassroom.com to learn how you can manage a mobile home park.

Property Management For Owners – Marketing Vacation Houses For Rent

January 26th, 2010

If you are going to spend money marketing your vacation rental property on vacation house for rent websites, you want to be certain it is a hit. Here are 6 things you can do which will help ensure you get the most bang for the buck.

1. SET RENTAL RATES APPROPRIATELY – If you want your vacation property to rent, you have to be realistic, optomistic, but not greedy! Set realistic rental rates for your vacation home and ensure that the rates are right on the website(s) that show your listing. Make sure you regularly review your online listing and change your rent as the marketplace changes. Search for comparable properties (comps) in the same location as yours. Only charge a premium if your property has some distinct features. Be prepared to discount your rent on occassion as needed. In this trade, if you lose money for a week long rental, you can’t make that back!

2. CHECK E-MAIL HABITUALLY – While using an internet vacation rental property website, remember leads from these websites are people who are typically Internet savvy and almost certainly check their e-mails often, especially if they have requested some info from you. Also, be certain your phone number is listed on sites that permit you to as every now and then people choose to just call you directly, so be sure to check phone messages as well.

3. RESPOND RIGHT AWAY – Vacation goers commonly see a few rentals that are of interest to them and then phone those owners. The earlier you reply, the better probability you have of winning them over. There have been times I have rented properties in the past and because it took an owner 24 hours to reply, I had already decided to go with a different property. A timely and proficient reply gives the renter confidence that the rental property experience will follow suit.

4. YOUR LISTING SHOULD BE CORRECT AND COMPREHENSIVE – Be certain that your listing particulars are kept up to date and are comprehensive. Examine your online listing frequently to be certain that your contact information is up-to-date. In addition, be certain that it is correct on the depiction of your property and its amenities. This will help you with repeat customers and will also keep you out of trouble with rental contracts or laws in regards to such things.

5. GREAT PHOTOS OR EXCELLENT VIDEOS OR BOTH – It is accurate when they say, a picture speaks a thousand words. Keep in mind, renters are considering staying at your rental based (most of the time) only on your pictures and video and your word. Remember, the more you tell, the more you sell. Here is how I look at it. If you were going to purchase a used car, would you do so over the Internet without a good look at the outside/inside of the vehicle and the engine? Not exactly the same, but you get the idea. The more pictures and the prettier, the better. Be sure to have pictures of your rental amenities such as a swimming pool, the coastline, a mountain view, the lake or a golf course – these are top vacation rental sellers! If you can do videos and upload them to video sharing websites, even better!

6. BOOST YOUR EXPOSURE – There are loads of hot spots for vacationers around the world. Before we owned property, my family used to head to St. John every year, usually twice. There are thousands of vacation rental properties in the St. John, US Virgin Islands area. In areas like this, increase your exposure by getting to the top of the search engines for keyword phrases like: vacation in st john, st john vacation rentals, vacation rental in st john, and so forth. If it costs you twenty, fifty, even one hundred dollars to do so but that gets you one additional rental a year, that makes it more than worth it.

May you find this article on marketing your rental home helpful. Should you require extra assistance with your rental property in California’s Central Valley go to fresno rental property and to see homes for rent in the Fresno California area go to fresno homes for rent

Tips on Conducting Rental Property Move-In Reports

September 19th, 2009

Did you know tenants are required to leave the premises they rent, in as good as or better shape then when they moved in? But how do you know what shape it was when they moved in?

Having a thorough and well documented move-in report will counteract any questions on the condition of the home when the tenant moved it. The tenant will be held accountable for any discrepancies between the move-in and move out reports.

Don’t be too hasty when performing the move-in. A little time allotted for precise and meticulous documentation, will go a long way in the end.

Having an established route you take when performing move-ins or outs help prevent any oversights. Many landlords start with the first room they come to when entering the house. Often it will be an entryway or living room. Now is the time where details matter; marking the entire living room as okay is severely lacking details.

Whether or not you want to start at the ceiling and work your way down, is completely your prerogative. Try to ensure you keep whatever sequence works best for you throughout the home. Check for cracks, discolorations, holes, rips, tears, etc.

Once you are finished with one area continue on to another. Look at the blinds; are they clean? Do they work properly? Do the windows open and close as they should? Are the screen the right size and free from bends or holes? Is the carpet new or are there worn areas?

Now continue on this path throughout the house, make sure to check all the bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, dining room or area. Don’t forget basements, garages, and utility or laundry rooms as well.

Taking pictures of the home is always a good idea, especially focus on areas of concern or new items through the house. Documenting the outside condition is vital as well. Check the exterior lighting and fences. Is the yard alive, recently mowed or raked?

Allow your tenant to review the move-in report; answer any questions they may have. Arrange for convenient times to make any repairs that may have arisen during the move-in. Have your new tenant sign and date the report with the understanding that this IS the move-in condition. Mail or give them a copy of the report, and allow them three to seven days to make notes of anything else they may find needs documentation.

Detailed move-in reports are essential to rental properties. You as the landlord and the tenant will benefit from such a report. Not only does it protect the tenant from incurring costs from damage that was present prior to their move-in; it also protects you the homeowner in the event that there is new damage after the tenant moves out.

Looking for the best Red Bluff Property Management or Red Bluff Rentals? Northern California Property Management is the premier property management in the area. Click on the previous links to learn more about us.

Investment Rental Property

September 8th, 2009

In the midst of an economic downturn and with the chance of a recession looming in the nearby horizon people have started cutting expenses wherever they can.

Credit has diminished, loans are being recalled and properties left and right are being foreclosed on a every day. Even though there is always a need for good homes that are listed at a good value, the current financial climate means people are more likely to rent a home than they are to buy it. This is a perfect opportunity for prospective investors to look into investment rental property.

As with any property investment, rentals have to have a lot of research into the market and a considerable financial commitment. Furthermore, the investor needs to be completely aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the kind of investment rental property he is attempting to get. Single family houses, for example, generate a lot less money than apartment complexes but are much easier to get and cost less to keep up. Apartment complexes, on the other hand, create a lot more rent but require that much more attention and committal in order to maintain their value (via repairs|fixes, renovations or simple every day maintenance|upkeep) and have a largely higher upkeep.

A house property or a condominium on the other hand can make as much as normal housing or more so but have the trouble that the common property is co-owned and any problems the co-owners have with the tenant will at the end have to be decided by the investor, as the home is legally his.

Investment rental property can be as uncomplicated or as complicated, as easygoing or time consuming as the investor makes it. By carefully studying the local market, prices, normal fluctuations and being smart when mortgaging, an investor can make as much as he is able to commit to financially in this currently unstable economy.

Jason Myers is a professional writer and he writes mostly about anti wrinkle eye creams. He’s also an amateur wine enthusiast and has a website about wine aerators and other wine accessories.

The Benefits of Detailed Move-In Reports at Rental Properties

September 6th, 2009

Did you know tenants are required to leave the premises they rent, in as good as or better shape then when they moved in? But how do you know what shape it was when they moved in?

That is where the move-in report comes into play. Having a detailed move-in report will save you in the long run. You will have written documentation to hold the tenant accountable to.

When performing the move-in report, make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to be accurate and methodical in your records. This will save you headaches in the long run.

When conducting the move-in, it is best to start in one room of the house and move fluidly throughout the home. Often times it will be the living room, because it is typically the first room you enter. Remember the more detailed the better. Marking the living room as good just will not cut it.

Start from the ceiling and work your way down to the floors. Are there hooks or cracks in the ceiling? Is the popcorn crumbling in some areas? Check to see if the ceiling fan works properly. Make sure all the lights are all working properly

Once you are finished with one area continue on to another. Look at the blinds; are they clean? Do they work properly? Do the windows open and close as they should? Are the screen the right size and free from bends or holes? Is the carpet new or are there worn areas?

Proceed in the same manner throughout the rest of the home. Go through each and every bedroom and bathroom. Examine ever cupboard in the kitchen, open the stove, and check for leaks in the sinks or showers. Don’t forget any extra rooms like an attic or laundry room.

Time and again the exterior of home gets ignored. The exterior has many components to it; yard, fences, sprinklers, stairs, walkways, driveways, mailboxes, and the list goes on. If there is damage to one of these components and you do not have proof of its condition prior to move in, you will be stuck with the repair bill. Do not forget the exterior of the home.

After you have finished the report; review it with your tenant. Address any issues or questions they may have. Make certain the sign and date the form, and provide them a copy for their records. Also, allow them time to report any missed details, usually about 7 days. A report of a fist size hole through a bedroom door reported three months after they move-in is not tolerable.

Detailed move-in reports are essential to rental properties. You as the landlord and the tenant will benefit from such a report. Not only does it protect the tenant from incurring costs from damage that was present prior to their move-in; it also protects you the homeowner in the event that there is new damage after the tenant moves out.

Looking for the most professional Red Bluff Property Management or Red Bluff Rentals? Northern California Property Management is the premier property management in the area. Click on the previous links to learn more about us.