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5 Landlord Tips for Having A Pet-Friendly Apartment

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Having a pet-friendly apartment and allowing tenants to have pets has both risks and rewards. However, with some ground rules and tenant screening practices, it is possible to connect with responsible pet owners.

Pet-Friendly Apartment

According to pet ownership statistics from 2012, nearly 67 percent of American households have at least one dog or cat. Not allowing renters with pets reduces a landlord’s potential tenant pool by about two-thirds. Conversely, having a pet-friendly apartment and allowing pets could allow vacancies to be filled much faster.

But how to make a pet-friendly apartment and the entire property “pet friendly” in a way that protects and preserves the property and a landlord’s livelihood?

The following tips and ideas can assist with making a pet-friendly apartment and a property open to pets in a way that is fair to everyone involved – including the animals:

  1. Set Reasonable Limits

Ground rules should be set for properties and kept consistent for all renters. For example, one dog per unit could be the limit. Other landlords might consider a “total pounds” rule, meaning the weight of all pets combined may not exceed a certain limit.

  1. Vaccinations

It is advisable to require that pets stay up to date on their vaccinations for rabies and distemper. These shots are required by law in most states anyway, so it’s a good idea to enforce them.

  1. Spaying and Neutering

It is also reasonable to require that pets be spayed and neutered. This requirement will help to eliminate a number of undesirable behaviors, reducing the likelihood of property damage and liabilities. Animals that have been neutered are far less likely to urinate around the property and become aggressive or destructive.

  1. Pet Deposits

Requiring an additional security deposit when a renter has a pet is a good idea. Some landlords choose to make this pet security deposit non-refundable; however, not all states allow for this. Landlords should check the specific rules in their state before having a pet-friendly apartment.

  1. Screening Tenants

Screening tenants carefully and thoroughly can yield a wealth of valuable information. References should be collected from prior landlords. Character references can also be requested; garner permission for these persons to be contacted.

A professional tenant screening service can assist with checking an applicant’s credit history and criminal record. Insights into these areas can help determine if a potential tenant is likely to be a responsible pet owner – someone who will treat the property with respect.

Becoming a pet-friendly landlord and having a pet-friendly apartment can increase a rental business in positive ways if handled responsibly. Use these five tips to become a successful pet-friendly landlord.

Disclaimer: The information on this website does not constitute legal advice and is governed by our Terms of Use. We make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this website and its associated sites.

Top 5 Ways Landlords Can Draw In Quality Tenants

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Quality Tenants

With more people than ever looking to rent instead of buy, landlords must sort through a larger pool of potential renters than ever before to find quality tenants.

The following are some effective ways to help draw in and rent to the highest quality tenants available:

  1. Offer a High Quality Product

The rental property is the landlord’s product, and it’s crucial that it be competitively priced while reflecting a high level of quality. Properties should have tremendous curb appeal as well as high quality features and accents. They should also reflect continual maintenance and upkeep. Keeping the house freshly painted and with excellent landscaping can also contribute to its appeal.

  1. Use Online Media

The Internet offers a wealth of opportunities for listing vacant rentals in quality websites that are known and trusted by users. Zillow, Trulia, Rent.com and even CraigsList are all frequented by those looking for a home, apartment or condo to rent. A well-written listing, high quality photos and strict parameters about income requirements will all help to draw in high quality tenants and appealing renters.

  1. Spread the Word

Asking current tenants who are of high quality for recommendations can help landlords to fill vacancies with high caliber renters. Ask your quality tenants to spread the word both the “old fashioned way” and online to their contacts. Social media sites, forums and local groups are all potential venues for connecting with new tenants.

  1. Excellent Property Management

Whether the landlord outsources property management or does it themselves, a commitment to high quality is key. Responsiveness to tenant questions and needs as well as addressing problems when they arise is a hallmark of a good landlord, and they are more likely to attract high quality tenants and keep them.

  1. A Professional Tenant Screening Service

Finding quality tenants requires a careful and comprehensive vetting process that allows landlords to sift through all applicants and zero in on the best candidates. A professional tenant screening service can assist with looking for past financial issues, state eviction records and criminal history records so that the best renters can be determined.

Great tenants may at times seem elusive, but they are out there. These five landlord tips can assist landlords in finding and keeping high quality tenants and running a successful business for years to come.

Disclaimer: The information on this website does not constitute legal advice and is governed by our Terms of Use. We make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this website and its associated sites.

3 Tips For Landlords Taking On Short-Term Tenants In The New “Sharing Economy”

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You’ve probably heard of or seen the headlines. A homeowner rents out their home on a short-term basis and ends up with the legal nightmare of a squatter who won’t leave.

Sharing Economy

The “sharing economy” refers to the trend of consumer peer-to-peer rentals of houses, cars, skills, and other goods and services. With the rise of the sharing economy, many homeowners have become de facto landlords through use of sites like VRBO and Airbnb.

How can property owners protect themselves as they pocket a little extra cash?

Understand state and local laws

You could rent out your home as a short-term vacation rental for years with no problems. In fact, that’s how it goes for the vast majority of homeowners who earn extra money with sharing economy sites like Airbnb. Most guests are respectful of your property, and many will leave it in better condition than they found it.

But it’s the handful of outliers who can cause serious and costly problems for property owners. First, homeowners should understand that short-term rental of homes is not legal everywhere. And an owner might have to go to court to evict a guest who decides to stay beyond their welcome.

Before renting out a home on a short-term basis, owners should research and understand pertinent local and state laws. In some areas, a stay longer than 30 days falls under landlord-tenant law rather than laws that cover hotels.

Take advantage of all available protections to thrive in the sharing economy

Airbnb encourages hosts to check into prospective guests by reading reviews on the site and contacting the guest, The Desert Sun notes. Airbnb requires that both hosts and guests be site members, and the site provides some vetting. Guests typically review sites where they stay, and hosts also can post reviews of guests. Airbnb also provides insurance to cover damage to a home by a guest.

Do your own sleuthing

Homeowners also can take the initiative to do their own research on prospective guests. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and even a simple Google search can reveal a multitude of information about renters and their histories. Doing a little legwork can help confirm that prospective renters are being truthful about their identities and can save homeowners from potential headaches down the road.

Short-term rentals require caution

The new sharing economy has brought unprecedented opportunities for homeowners to make extra money from their investments. By understanding relevant laws, taking advantage of protections afforded by online services and researching prospective tenants, you can enjoy the benefits while minimizing the risks.

Disclaimer: The information on this website does not constitute legal advice and is governed by our Terms of Use. We make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this website and its associated sites.

Month to Month vs. One Year Residential Leases: Pros and Cons for Landlords

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New landlords face this dilemma when they start renting their properties: should they require a year lease, or rent the space month to month? It’s an age-old dilemma for landlords, and ultimately it becomes a matter of the specific renting scenario, personal opinion, and the landlord’s own comfort level.

Residential Leases

Here is a listing of the pros and cons of yearlong residential leases vs. month to month arrangements:

Year-Long Residential Leases

Advantages:

Better cash flow. The tenant is “locked” into and committed to tenancy for at least a year. (An additional year lease or month to month terms can be negotiated after the year is up.)

Stability and security. Longer-term tenants give the landlord stability of income for a set period.

Less stress, hassle and cost related to renting. With a yearlong residential lease, there will likely be fewer obligations and turnover costs related to renting the unit over time.

Disadvantages:

Locked into the lease. If the tenant is not a good fit, the terms cannot be changed until the residential lease is up.

Fixed financial terms. Landlords cannot raise rents during the lease period.

Evictions are difficult. In the case of problem tenants, it can be difficult and stressful to evict them. Violations must be proven, and costly legal action is often necessary.

Not an Ironclad guarantee. Just because a tenant signs a lease, there is no guarantee they will actually stay through the entire term.

Month to Month Terms

Advantages:

Low-Commitment Renting. Landlords can end a tenancy easily when proper notice is given. This is a good structure in areas where interested tenants tend to be plentiful.

Flexible Terms. Landlords may change the rental agreement, the rent cost or other terms with notice to the current tenant or between renters.

Disadvantages:

Higher Turnover is Likely. With month to month rental terms, a higher tenant turn-over rate is likely. The tenant can simply give the agreed-upon amount of notice and move.

More stress, hassle and cost related to renting. With a month to month lease, there will likely be more obligations and turnover costs related to renting the unit over time.

Clearly, there are upsides and downsides to both yearly residential leases and monthly rental scenarios. In both options, quality tenant background screeners can help to eliminate potential problem tenants before you rent to them for any amount of time.

Disclaimer: The information on this website does not constitute legal advice and is governed by our Terms of Use. We make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this website and its associated sites.

4 Key Tips for Renting to College Students

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Landlords who primarily rent to college students tend to run into specific issues that other property owners may not face. It’s important to be aware of these potential pitfalls and landlord challenges to make the most of your experience as a landlord.

Renting to College Students

If you own rental property near a college or university, use these tips when renting to college students and other rental applicants to avoid headaches and stay profitable:

1. It’s All in the Lease

It’s crucial to set specific house (or apartment) rules and get it in writing. Establish set policies about occupancy, how many guests they can have over at any one time, and how subletting should be handled should the need arise. Create a “late fee” policy as well as fees and fines that will be deducted for specific infractions such as property damage, not cleaning the unit before they vacate, etc. Put it all in writing in the lease, and make sure each renter reads and signs it.

2. Screen Each Candidate

A look into the background of each potential renter can either confirm their reputation or alert you to red flags about their past. Credit checks, criminal records, tenant eviction records and their history as a renter can all be checked with a quality tenant screening service.

3. Enact a Flammables Policy

Some landlords who rent primarily to students establish a “no flammables” policy for their own as well as the students’ protection. This means that smoking as well as open flames are not allowed; this would include candles, incense and bonfires in the yard. If flammables will be allowed in your property, be sure to enforce the presence of a fire extinguisher on the property and ensure that each tenant knows how to use it.

4. Make Utilities Their Responsibility

Some young adults haven’t yet learned how to handle responsibilities such as turning down the heat at night or making sure the windows are closed when running the A/C. While you might consider including fixed services like Internet or trash pickup in the rental cost, it’s best to make more open-ended services like heat and electric the tenant’s responsibility.

Renting to college students has its share of potential challenges, but it can also be very lucrative and rewarding. Use these four tips to help you connect with high caliber tenants and make the most of your experience while renting to college students.

Disclaimer: The information on this website does not constitute legal advice and is governed by our Terms of Use. We make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this website and its associated sites.

4 Non-Negotiables Landlords Should Consider for New Tenants

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New TenantsBeing a landlord can be rewarding, but there is a certain amount of risk involved. A tenant that is negligent with a property and rental agreement can lead to untold financial hardship and stress. Setting some reasonable minimum requirements is within the rights of landlords and can help with avoiding potential problem tenants. Here are four non-negotiable standards to consider enforcing:

1. No Past Evictions

An eviction is one of the worst black marks a tenant can have, and it paints them as a risk in any rental situation going forward. While people can change, a prudent landlord will make it a policy never to rent to someone who has been evicted. A resident screening service can help with determining if a client has ever been evicted or is embroiled in legal proceedings with a former landlord.

2. New Tenants Monthly Income Must Be Three Three the Expected Rent

The standard of requiring the renter’s income to be three times as much as the stated monthly rent is a reasonable expectation and a policy that’s been enforced by many landlords. Banks, lenders and financial institutions have also used this standard with great success. Enacting this requirement can help landlords to connect with quality new tenants who will be able to pay their rent on time on a consistent basis.

3. At Least 3 Positive Character References

Many savvy consumers seek referrals, recommendations and positive reviews of businesses before using their products or services, and screening potential new tenants should be no different. If an applicant cannot provide at least three positive character references from past landlords, employers or educators, this is a big red flag.

4. No Criminal Record

A criminal past is another non-negotiable for landlords looking to minimize their stress and maximize profits. Sure, people can change, but renting to someone with a criminal record remains a huge risk. Make use of a quality tenant screening service to determine if an applicant’s record is clean.

Lastly, minimum requirements should be clearly stated in the rental ad, on the application and told to prospective new tenants in person so that they are clear on what is expected of them. That way, if they must be eliminated due to not meeting these standards, it will not come as a surprise.

Disclaimer: The information on this website does not constitute legal advice and is governed by our Terms of Use. We make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this website and its associated sites.

Creating Safer Neighborhoods by Screening Rental Applicants

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Screening Rental ApplicantsMost landlords want to make sure the neighborhoods where their properties are located remain good, safe neighborhoods. Even though many do not live there themselves, they still have a responsibility to be a good landlord and keep up property values. One of the best ways that landlords can do this is to make sure they only put the best quality tenants in their properties by screening rental applicants. These are people who will be good neighbors in their stead, keep up the property, and treat it as if it were their own. To get these tenants, landlords need to engage in careful and detailed rental screening for all the applicants.

The Basics

At a minimum, landlords should be screening rental applicants for criminal backgrounds and previous evictions. While not every criminal record is serious enough to warrant excluding someone from renting a property, diligent landlords should check and make the decision for themselves as to whether a criminal record is a warning as to how someone will treat a property and whether they will be safe for the neighbors to be around.

People with previous evictions may or may not be excluded based on the circumstances of their eviction and what condition they left the property in when they left. Anyone can fall on hard times temporarily and have to leave a rental property; it is the way they treated the property upon leaving that is the most telling of what kind of renter they will be, assuming they now have the appropriate steady income to keep up the rent.

Violent sex offenders have to register their dwelling place, and it will be easy for neighbors to look online and discover they are living in your property. A sex offender registry check should always be included when screening rental applicants.

Why Tenant Screening Credit Reports are Important

Some landlords screen for credit history, while others do not. It is in the best interest of most landlords to do this screening and to rent to those with good credit histories. This is because someone with a good credit history will naturally want to protect it. They’ve probably worked very hard to get it, and are not likely to risk losing their good credit history by not paying rent or by trashing the place when they leave. People with good credit histories generally make more responsible tenants.

Other Things to Consider When Screening Rental Applicants

To really get to know potential renters and make a reasonable deduction as to how they will treat the property and whether they will be reliable with rent, a landlord might look into other things. Obtaining references from previous landlords, references from previous neighbors, and even looking at pay stubs, bank statements, and tax returns are all things that can give a landlord a better idea of a tenant’s prospects in their property.

Conclusion

The Fair Housing Act prohibits landlords from discrimination in renting on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, familial status or disability. Additionally, landlords must know their State and Local laws. Landlords are allowed to use other factors to determine if a rental applicant will make a good tenant. These include consumer credit, previous rental history, income, and rental references.

One of the best ways to find out if someone is going to be a good tenant is to do a thorough screening and use a company that specializes in screening rental applicants for landlords.

Disclaimer: The information presented is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.

EvictionRecords.com Adds Guam, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Tenant Records

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As a top nationwide provider of eviction records and criminal records, EvictionRecords.com has long been committed to ensuring that everyone in the United States gets access to the best, most reliable and most accurate information. With this in mind, we as a company have decided to expand our search offerings to three major U.S. territories: Puerto Rico Tenant Records, Guam Tenant Records and the Virgin Islands Tenant Records.

We recognize that many of our customers do business in these territories, or are accepting applications from citizens who have lived in these territories. Previously, accurate information was not available and we did not feel that our clients could make the best decisions based on the information we provided. In order to provide our customers with the peace of mind they deserve and the information they require, we now offer a variety of public records searches for these three territories including Puerto Rico tenant records.

Guam tenant recordsClients will find that the following Guam tenant records services are now available:

  • Guam County Court Records Search is available for $24.95 per county and results take 5-7 business days.
  • Guam Sex Offender Registry Check can be completed for free and results are provided immediately.

 

Puerto Rico Tenant RecordsThe following Puerto Rico tenant records services are now available:

  • Puerto Rico Eviction Records Search can be completed for $19.95 and results are returned instantly. While limited data is available, we strive to provide our clients with the most accurate and detailed results possible.
  • Puerto Rico County Court Records Search can be completed for $24.95 per county. Results will take between 5-14 business days.
  • Puerto Rico Sex Offender Registry Check can be ordered for free and offers instant results.

Virgin Islands tenant recordsThe following Virgin Islands tenant records services are now available:

  • Virgin Islands Eviction Records Check is available for $19.95 and offers instant results.
  • Virgin Islands County Court Records Search is available for $24.95 per county and results take 1-3 business days.
  • Virgin Islands Sex Offender Registry Check can be completed for free and results are instant.

We look forward to serving our clients and continuing to improve the services we offer at EvictionRecords.com.

New EvictionRecords.com Tenant Check Support Toll-Free Phone Number

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Eviction Records customers can now call company representatives through a toll-free tenant check support phone number.

Tenant Check Support
Whether a customer needs tenant check service on a previous order, or a client is looking for tenant check support regarding a current order, company representatives from EvictionRecords.com are now available to talk with customers over the phone. A new toll-free phone number is available for clients who need immediate customer support, or simply prefer to talk with a live representative when asking a question.

Customers can contact company representatives from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday at (877) 811-6948. We encourage our clients to contact us with any type of feedback, as we are committed to providing the best customer service in the industry. We are well-known for taking our customers’ comments, considerations and suggestions and placing them into effect in order to improve the experience for all of our clients. We feel that by adding this phone number, we are providing new, better ways for our customers to reach out to us. Email is still the most efficient way to provide an answer or a solution for most customer service inquiries. An Email response can take up to one business day, but most are replied to within an hour depending on the complexity of the question.

EvictionRecords.com provides customers with accurate tenant screening checks that have the best turnaround time. Our customers receive the tenant screening data they need almost immediately, allowing them to make well-informed decisions in a timely manner. We look forward to hearing from our customers over the phone, and welcome our clients to contact us for all of their tenant check support needs. Company representatives are ready and willing to answer questions, provide solutions and assist our customers.

To read more, please view the PDF version or visit the PRWeb Tenant Screening Services Toll Free Phone Number Press Release.

HUD is Initiating Criminal Record Checks for Residents and Management

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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is Initiating Criminal Record Checks for Residents and Management in Section 8 Housing Facility.

The residents in the 88-unit Fort Steuben apartment building in Steubenville, Ohio say that it is teeming with criminal activity. This causes them to live in fear. The building’s doors are left unlocked, the security cameras are broken and security guards are nowhere to be found.

Criminal Record Checks

Criminal Record Checks for Residents and Management

In June United States Representative Bill Johnson, R-Marietta, requested an investigation into the Fort Steuben Apartment building, which is a Section 8 federally subsidized public housing facility, at a meeting with Jefferson County and city officials. Following this meeting, they decided to conduct a physical inspection of the Fort Steuben Apartment facility located on North Fourth Street. The investigation by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) began in August; an occupancy and management review, including background records screening, is anticipated in the near future.

Cathy Davison, who is the city manager of Steubenville, Ohio, said that the inspection is a positive first step. Jefferson Metropolitan Housing Authority (JMHA) officials and the city have been meeting twice monthly to resolve the criminal activities that are occurring in the public housing units.  Davison commends the housing authority and thanks Congressman Johnson for his assistance in the matter. Davison has agreed to assist with obtaining criminal record checks for potential Fort Steuben Apartment building’s tenants.

According to an article in the Herald Star, residents in the building have blamed the unsafe living conditions in large part to the fact that management does not screen tenant applicants for Ohio criminal checks or conduct background checks.

About EvictionRecords.com

Eviction Records .com is an online provider of criminal records and eviction checks.  The website is an ideal tenant screening solution for landlords and property managers. Orders can be placed online for instant statewide or national criminal background records 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   Other services include eviction checks, federal court record checks, and identity verification by SSN checks.

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