Property Management News

Court Sides With Landlords, Overturns New...

A New York appeals court struck down a state law banning discrimination against tenants who use Section 8 vouchers, ruling that the 2019 source-of-income protections violate landlords’ Fourth Amendment rights. The five-judge panel sided with Ithaca landlord Jason Fane, who argued that accepting Section 8 tenants would require allowing housing officials to inspect his properties without a warrant. The judges acknowledged Section 8 as a critical tool for expanding affordable housing and noted that source-of-income discrimination often serves as a proxy for other forms of bias, but ultimately concluded the law was unconstitutional on its face. Attorney General Letitia James, who sued Fane in... Read more

In property management, it’s tempting to lean on zero-tolerance screening policies. They’re fast, efficient, and feel like a safe bet against discrimination claims....

At the federal level, landlords must comply with several key laws that protect tenants. These mainly address housing discrimination under the Fair Housing Act and...

Top dog-friendly apartments nationwide understand they’re competing with single-family homes, not just other apartments, and communities that embrace pets see stronger...

In property management, strong customer service is often praised as the key to successful leasing and resident retention. Leasing professionals are encouraged to be...

Identify Problem Tenants Before They Move In

 A small amount of preparation early can help landlords avoid late payments, excessive complaints, property damage, and other issues that often stem from rushed or inconsistent tenant selection. Identifying problem renters before they move in begins with a clear, consistent tenant screening process. Clarifying the Kind of Tenant You Want Before reviewing rental applications, define the qualities of a dependable tenant for your property. Establishing objective criteria helps ensure that your tenant screening process remains consistent and fair across all applicants. Common qualities many landlords look for include: Steady income that supports the monthly rent Respectful and timely... Read more

The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) is the nation’s largest nonprofit fair housing organization, leading investigations, enforcement, advocacy, and research to...

 Across much of the country, rental housing is in a very different place than it was just a couple of years ago. After a historic run-up in demand and rents, vacancies...

New York City renters are now legally entitled to clear, accessible information about whether stabilized apartments exist in their buildings. Last week, Local Law 86,...

The slippery slope of steering when customer service crosses the line in property management trying to be helpful or to “make things easier” for a prospect. In...