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What is Considered Normal Wear and Tear on a Rental Property? The lease ended, and your tenants have moved out. The property doesn’t look the same as when your tenants moved in, so they should be charged, right? Not quite. Tenants are responsible for damage due to negligence, misuse, or abuse but not normal wear…

Is Your Rental Property Underpriced? Are you losing thousands of dollars because your rental property is rented for less than market rent? With the fluctuations in values and rents over the past couple of years, combined with the fact that many areas could not raise the rent during the pandemic, you may be able to…

Lease Only or Full-Service Property Management. What’s the Difference? When a homeowner has a vacant property and wants to fill the vacancy, what do they do? They can either do it themselves, hire a real estate agent, or hire a property management company. What is lease-only/tenant placement? Lease only, leasing or tenant placement is all…

Can I Use My Security Deposit Towards Last Month’s Rent? Many tenants assume that when they pay a security deposit to rent a property, they don’t have to pay last month’s rent. Since the amount is often similar, if not the same as the rental amount, it’s normal to make that assumption, but that’s not…

 What Modifications Can I Make to My Rental Home? You’ve found your perfect rental home, but a little garden in the backyard or a room painted your favorite color would make it even more perfect. Are you allowed to make modifications or not? Your lease may or may not address what you’re allowed to do,…

 5 Ways To Tell If You’re Cut Out To Be A Landlord! There is an increasing interest among homeowners who choose to rent their property instead of selling it when they move. Perhaps your home value has dropped, or you must leave quickly to take a promotion in another city. There are many reasons you…

How Can I Terminate My Lease Early? Are you a tenant with a lease in place but for some reason, you need to end it sooner than the current expiration date? Maybe your income has changed, and you cannot afford it. You’re in a new relationship and want a bigger space or need to relocate…

Setting the Late Fees and Grace Periods for Rent! Landlords and property owners are business-oriented. They may like their residents and even have friendly relationships with some of them, but the bottom line is that they expect the rent to be paid on time each month. It is a reasonable expectation that must be backed up…

What am I Obligated to Fix as a Landlord? Rental properties provide owners with lucrative investment opportunities, but the job also comes with responsibilities to the tenant. Various federal, state, and local laws require that landlords maintain a safe and habitable space for their tenants. Consulting an attorney about your legal responsibilities is essential for…