rental forms: New Law Requires Written Disclosure from Landlords - 09/11/10 12:31 PM
The State of Maine has passed a law requiring landlords to test all rental properties for radon.
In addition, a written disclosure statement must be given to each tenant, informing them of the risks of radon exposure. Those risks include lung cancer.
A sample disclosure statement is provided on the Maine Department of Health and Human Services website. The tenant will have to read more...
See September 30 Deadline for Lead Paint Certification.
American Apartment Owners Association offers discounts on products and services for landlords related to your commercial housing investment, including rental forms, tenant debt collection, tenant background checks, insurance … (2 comments)

rental forms: Judges Nix Town's Attempt to Fine Landlords - 09/11/10 12:25 PM
With a population of just around 30,000, the  little town of Hazleton, Pennsylvania is getting more than its share of attention today.
An appellate court just issued a sweeping decision striking down as unconstitutional the city's law that would have punished landlords who rented to anyone the city designated as an illegal alien with as much as a $1,000 fine,  and would have required all tenants to pay for a rental permit to gain housing within the city.  Read more...
American Apartment Owners Association offers discounts on products and services for landlords related to your commercial housing investment, including rental forms, tenant debt collection, … (2 comments)

rental forms: Are Higher Rents on the Horizon? - 06/08/10 11:57 AM
Rents in some areas have been in a slump for awhile, due in large part to high unemployment numbers. 
When the government released May's job numbers, the press touted the increase as the "Best in 10 years." 
But give it a closer look, and you will see why these new numbers may not help the rental market, at least not yet.  Read more...
American Apartment Owners Association offers discounts on products and services for landlords related to your commercial housing investment, including rental forms, tenant debt collection, tenant background checks, insurance and financing. Find out more at www.joinaaoa.org.
See our earlier feature, Bad News … (3 comments)

rental forms: Ouch! Bad News for the Rental Market - 07/31/09 08:53 AM
 Vacancy Numbers May Be 2.2 Times Worse Than Reported  
On Wednesday, July 8, 2009, the Wall Street Journal reported that apartment vacancies had risen significantly, to a 22 year high.  This report used statistics furnished by independent research firm Reis, Inc.  
But a different research company, Axiometrics, Inc., reports that its findings are far worse.
Axiometrics claims superior methodology in its survey of apartment rental growth rates.  It's research includes a larger percentage of properties surveyed, as many as  20,000 surveys per month.  In addition, Axiometrics compares the same properties from one measurement period to the next.  The same property is surveyed … (3 comments)

rental forms: Evicted Tenant Enjoys Celebrity Status - 07/31/09 05:23 AM
Easter Bunny Tenant to Appear on Colbert?  
You may remember our eviction story, Landlord Gives Easter Bunny the Boot.  When a tenant set up a display of Easter Bunny Peeps on her interior door, no one bothered her. 
But, when she left it there for a couple weeks past Easter, the landlord became concerned that the sugary decorations would attract pests and posed a hazard to other tenants.  
When they asked her to take it down, the tenant refused, claiming she had the support of her neighbors.  When the landlord took it down for her, she responded by refusing to … (1 comments)