landlordtenant relations: Full Employment Act - 12/19/12 08:53 AM
By Colin McCarthy, J.D., Robinson & Wood, San Jose, CA
There's been an awful lot of discussion around this blog regarding a landlord's liability for personal injuries and property damage occasioned to tenants and third parties. It would seem like the landlord is exposed in all manner of fronts for all manner of different circumstances. Appearances notwithstanding, the blog readers will know that the issue of notice, control, and an opportunity to remedy are all important in California in determining whether a landlord owes a duty to protect someone from injury. If they do, more forward-planning readers might be thinking: "Well … (2 comments)

landlordtenant relations: Why You Should Encourage Your Tenants to Purchase Renters Insurance - 11/01/12 06:41 AM
A guest post by Tracy Myers, homeinsurance.org, Houston, Texas
The importance of renters insurance really cannot be highlighted enough. Tenants often forget about renters insurance, because a lease is temporary and the property is not their own. Some believe that if their landlord already has the property insured, they have nothing to worry about, but if you think about it, you wouldn’t lease a car without purchasing car insurance. Not just because it would be illegal to not buy car insurance, but because your finances would be ruined if you were to get into a car accident or suffer some … (2 comments)

landlordtenant relations: What Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Can Teach Us About Property Management - 09/05/12 09:35 AM
By Steve Boudreault, Buildium, Boston, MA
It’s about time that Buildium’s top wordsmith started writing blogs for All Things Property Management. So here I am and here we go!
I’m going to use my first ATPM blog to connect property management to my number-one passion: Star Trek. Specifically, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9).
Deep Space Nine focused on the space station of the same name, in orbit around a planet called Bajor. Originally an outpost of the evil Cardassians, it was built using Bajoran slave labor during The Occupation, which lasted nearly 50 years. When the Bajorans finally ousted the … (3 comments)

landlordtenant relations: World’s Worst Tenants - 07/24/12 07:48 AM
By Salvatore Friscia, San Diego Premier Property Management, San Diego, CA
I have to admit that recently I started watching a new cable show called “World’s Worst Tenants” on Spike TV. The premise for the show if you haven’t seen it depicts three individuals who are hired by various property management companies to handle unusually odd tenant related issues. The issues range from your basic nonpayment of rent to more bizarre and serious issues that can leave any self-respecting property manager shaking their head in disbelief. The show makes for great TV and entertainment, but on a serious note it can … (2 comments)

landlordtenant relations: Economy Makes Life Tough for Renters and Property Managers Alike - 06/07/12 12:17 PM
A guest post by Gabriel Knight, Mortgage Fit, Chicago, IL
It’s no secret that the still-sputtering economy has made it a rough go for property managers. After all, one of their primary responsibilities is making sure that rental properties are rented, and with still so many unemployed and underemployed folks out there, renting has become a real problem – the pool of eligible renters is shrinking.
But while things are tough for the property managers out there, it pales in comparison to the hardships that potential renters are facing. Keep in mind that many prospective tenants were homeowners before the recession … (2 comments)

landlordtenant relations: But It's a Vicious Bunny... - 04/16/12 06:46 AM
By Colin McCarthy, J.D., Robinson & Wood, San Jose, CA
As everyone knows, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is the greatest movie ever made. Especially for the scene involving the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog. In it, several of the Knights of the Round Table are cut down in a blood bath by a particularly vicious, cute, cuddly white bunny rabbit. Why? They were not aware of its dangerous propensities! Their Scottish guide tried to warn them before the unlucky Knights marched into certain death. He tried, but they wouldn't listen.*
We have already discussed the issue of control as being … (5 comments)

landlordtenant relations: Do You Really Please Your Customers? - 04/13/12 07:00 AM
By Linda Day Harrison, theBrokerList, Chicago, IL
In the history of property ownership and property management, as far back as the Stone Age (maybe not that far back), we have always called our customers “tenants” and for some reason it just stuck like glue. We can try to shake the term, but no matter how we spin it, turn it, or twist it the relationship comes back full circle to calling them “tenants” and not customers. It is rather maddening to say the least. Even though I preach this and believe it, I catch myself using the term because nobody understands … (1 comments)

landlordtenant relations: Failure to Inspect or Repair = Trouble - 04/12/12 06:50 AM
By Colin McCarthy, J.D., Robinson & Wood, San Jose, CA
I once lived in house in downtown San Jose that was next to an abandoned "historic" house. The house was abandoned because it was "historic." The city had an ordinance that prevented the owner from demolishing the building and rebuilding it, or selling it. Because the house was built before a certain time, the city ordinance prohibited him from doing anything with the property other than fixing it up. Rather than doing that, in protest, he did nothing with the property. And I mean nothing, other than board it up.
Mistake! … (2 comments)

landlordtenant relations: Is The Landlord At Fault? - 04/06/12 07:38 AM
By Colin McCarthy, J.D., Robinson & Wood, San Jose, CA
I enjoyed philosophy classes in college. I enjoyed thinking about such questions, as: If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound? I enjoyed even more Bart Simpson's reply to the question: What is the sound of one hand clapping? (He immediately held up his one hand and patted his fingers against his palm, making a muted clapping sound).
My enjoyment of these questions has found a natural outlet in the law. The law ostensibly provides you with an answer, whether it be … (2 comments)

landlordtenant relations: If It Is Broke, Don’t Delegate - 04/02/12 07:06 AM
By Colin McCarthy, J.D., Robinson & Wood, San Jose, CA
Even after our little spigot fiasco, my father and I are speaking again. In fact, it did not take long. We both bonded over the fact that later that night, my wife and I walked out of the George Clooney movie, the Descendants. My wife and I both were bored out of our minds and had little empathy for a guy who owned all of Hawaii. I mean, really? I'm supposed to feel sorry for this guy!? Dad, being generally anti-Hollywood applauded our decision to vacate the movie theater in favor … (2 comments)

landlordtenant relations: If It Ain't Broke... - 03/30/12 09:13 AM
By Colin McCarthy, J.D., Robinson & Wood, San Jose, CA
Well, hello there and happy 2012 to you all. It has been a little bit of time since we have had a chance to chat. I will beg your forgiveness for being pre-occupied with year end duties, and a jury trial in Visalia, California that preoccupied my time and has prevented me from indulging in the blogging world. Now that I am able to focus, I want to talk to you about every one's favorite topic – repairs – from everyone's favorite perspective – a lawyer.
But before I do, I'll … (0 comments)

landlordtenant relations: Help! My Tenant Needs to Break Their Lease - 03/28/12 08:13 AM
By Salvatore Friscia, San Diego Premier Property Management, San Diego, CA
It was just a few months ago when the tenants were in the office signing the one year lease agreement. The leasing agent followed the office procedures and made sure to review the lease terms and obligations prior to asking for binding signatures. Then with the swipe of a pen the property was considered off the market and occupied for the year.
So, it can be somewhat frustrating when two months later you receive the dreaded call from the tenants stating that for some unforeseen reason they need to … (3 comments)

landlordtenant relations: Can Your Rental Property Become a Day Care? - 02/23/12 06:56 AM
By Salvatore Friscia, San Diego Premier Property Management, San Diego, CA
In a recent notice received by our legal counsel addressing this very issue, apparently if you own rental property in California the scary answer is yes! The great state of California is widely known as a pro-tenant state when it comes to tenant-landlord related issues. Many cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles are saddled with pockets of rent controlled areas making investment opportunities less attractive. They also have unfavorable statewide eviction laws that allow deadbeat tenants to continue residing in properties months after defaulting on rental payments.
So … (2 comments)

landlordtenant relations: A Resident's Expectations - 01/23/12 04:49 PM
By Steven Van Zile, Total Management, New York, NY
Within the past 24 hours, here are the maintenance issues I’ve experienced at the property where I reside: the maintenance person, loyal to this building for 33 years, responds to aclogged toilet by advising us to pour bleach down the toilet. Concurrently, the intercom buzzer is stuck and won’t shut off. And, of course, the elevator renovation that started out as a one week project actually turned into a three week project, providing 6th floor tenants the opportunity to save money by cancelling their gym memberships.
It’s always seemed simple to me; … (2 comments)

landlordtenant relations: 8 Tips for New Landlords - 08/18/11 04:22 PM
A guest post by Brian Davis, Ezlandlordforms.com, Moorestown, NJ
Building a strong relationship with a new tenant and protecting your real estate investment is of paramount importance when crafting a lease agreement.  There are a multitude of considerations at this juncture that are essential to understand.  Brian Davis, Vice President of EzlandlordForms.com, is a seasoned landlord and top expert on landlord-tenant relationships.  Here he offers his top tips for new landlords as a helpful tool for navigating lease creation and the ongoing considerations of managing a rental property.
1. Understand the Fair Housing Act and how it applies to your rental.  When advertising … (5 comments)

 
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Michael Monteiro

South Boston, MA

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All things property management is a one stop destination for folks interested in learning more about managing real estate. Broken down into a variety of targeted columns, the information that you are looking for is easily accessible — from investing tips and best practices in The Intelligent Investor to the real-life dilemmas of property managers in Stories from the Front Lines. We’ve brought on contributing writers from across the country to share their respective expertise with you, whether you’re a landlord, a professional property manager, or an association board member. Your feedback, participation, and comments will help us deliver the information you need most. Feel free to contact us if you are interested in contributing.


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