Tenant Screening

Property managers have many important responsibilities, but none more important than screening potential renters. When they drop the ball on this one, leasing to tenants from hell becomes a frighteningly real possibility. Fortunately, screening renters is a fairly straightforward process, and warning signs make it easy to identify and avoid problem tenants — if you know what to…

On paper, your tenant looks great: They have an excellent rental history and sparkling recommendations. Unfortunately, they disclose to you upfront (or admit when they fill out the paperwork) that they have bad credit. Should you shy away from this tenant? You may have struggled to get your property rented out, or you may be…

Landlords make money in their sleep, unless their tenants are giving them nightmares. Bad tenants can ruin a landlord’s dream of real estate investing, not to mention their property! So how do you keep the bad tenants out? Vetting your tenants is necessary to avoid major headaches. Find quality tenants using these four tips, and…

Move-ins and move-outs can be tricky. If mishandled by a property manager, they can lead to upset tenants or far worse. Disputes over damages take a toll on both sides, and a late refund of deposit money could land you in legal trouble. Whether you’re managing single-family homes or urban high-rises, it’s your responsibility to…

As of 2016, almost 37 percent of households in America were occupied by renters. That may entice would-be landlords to consider jumping into the market and buying property to rent, but making money from rental property can be challenging. Many landlords lose money, and although there are some other reasons why landlords may fail to turn a…

Do you make enough money to rent this place? It’s a question any landlord will ask you, and it’s one of the things you must prove before being able to sign a lease on an apartment or house. Landlords want to be sure that you have the financial means to consistently pay your rent on time and…

Recently, I was at breakfast with a client who owns a quadruplex in the San Fernando Valley. He mentioned that one difference he’s seen since he outsourced his property management to us — a difference it took him a few years to notice — is that his tenants now tend to stay put. He had told…

Local landlords recently got a preview of the suite of all-new and ongoing incentives to participate in the Section 8 affordable housing program through the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB). Attendees of the Sept. 25 informational luncheon also heard from participating landlords and tenants about their experience with the Section 8…

As a landlord or property manager, you need to make sure your properties have good, reliable tenants who will not cause problems and will pay their rent on time. Even if you’re tempted to fill vacancies as quickly as possible, you need to think about exactly who you are renting to and what the consequences…

“I didn’t know” is not an acceptable defense if you face a discrimination charge, so the Grace Hill training tip of the week focuses on repeating advice that assistance animals are not pets when it comes to leasing your rentals. By Ellen Clark The typical story goes like this, where a prospective renter provides documentation from her doctor…