James's Blog

When an income property occupied by tenants changes ownership, what happens to those tenants? Nothing. The new landlord must honor the terms of the lease agreement between the previous owner and the tenants.  Change of ownership is not cause for eviction, unless there is a provision in the lease ...

The first and probably most obvious type of rental property to avoid is any property that would create a negative cash flow.  After all, it's called an "income" property.  A property that will cost you money each month is not a wise investment Do not invest in properties that have upcoming costs ...

When a prospective tenant calls and wants to see a vacant or soon-to-be-vacant rental unit, set up an appointment time with them for a showing.  Let the tenant walk around the property, inspect the unit, and ask any questions they have about the unit, building or neighborhood.  Point out the feat...

Sometimes unforeseen changes occur in peoples' lives that necessitate a sudden and even unwanted move.  Job change or loss, family circumstances, and a bevy of other situations may mean a sudden move for one of your tenants.  As a landlord, there may be several reasons to allow your tenant to bre...

Many lease agreements make allowances for "normal wear and tear," but what does that term really mean?  It's a vague term that means different things to different people.  The important thing to remember is that normal wear and tear differs from damages.  Here is a list of some examples of normal...

The kind and degree of security you provide for your rental property depends entirely on local laws.  Some local laws may require you to provide outdoor security lighting. Fences may be necessary to make your property more secure.  It is recommended that you use wrought iron or open-slatted fence...

What should a landlord do if a tenant makes and pays for a repair, then deducts the cost from their rent payment without prior authorization? If the repair was necessary and the cost reasonable, it's probably best to accept the deduction from the rent, provided the receipt and explanation is incl...

If a tenant vacates a rental unit, and leaves personal property behind, what is a landlord to do? Each jurisdiction has it's own laws regarding abandoned personal property.  Generally, a landlord must try to contact a former tenant at every known address the tenant has provided including a work a...

There is much to feel stressed about in today's world - the roller coaster that is the economy, record unemployment rates, the extremely challenging real estate market, and now the swine flu!  Life is always full of stresses of one sort or another.  And the fact that the news media likes to capit...

What rights does a tenant have when a landlord refuses to do repairs? Well, it depends largely on the type of repair.  If a needed repair renders a unit inhabitable and could be considered an emergency, a court would likely side with the tenant.  If a toilet is backing up and not working, a court...