It is September and fall is almost here. With fall comes the first rain or snowfall of the season. It is important that you get your property ready for fall by following some property maintenance tips.

First and foremost, you will want to clear your gutters of any leaves and other debris. A gutter system that does not flow properly is a recipe for flooding and roof leaks and other mishaps. Instruct your property managers to send their property maintenance crews to the rooftops of all of your buildings and inspect and clear all of the gutters.

One of the things that may surprise you about your tenants is that they will not tell you everything. They may not tell you when something in their apartment breaks or stops working. Tenants may also bring in roommates that you do not know about. Finally, tenants may not tell you that they own a pet.

Let’s face facts: You probably scared your new tenant right at the beginning of your landlord/tenant relationship into hiding the fact that he owns a dog and will be bringing it with him when he moves into your apartment complex or property. You most likely require a higher security deposit for pet owners because pets can cause costly repairs and maintenance.

When it comes to tenant screening, a landlord or property manager cannot be too cautious. Potential tenants need to be screened in order to protect yourself, your assets, your property, and—perhaps most of all—your reputation. There are a variety of potential pitfalls when it comes to new tenants; it is best that you perform a thorough background check.

In fact, it is an extremely good investment to do full tenant screening checks. For as little as fifteen to twenty dollars, you can get a tenant screening that checks for a tenant’s past evictions, as well as bankruptcies, judgments, and liens. You can also check a possible tenant’s credit history, where he’s lived in the past, as well as his criminal record.

As a landlord or property manager, you have various specific and general responsibilities when it comes to all aspects of your rental properties. Everything, of course, hinges on what has been agreed to in any rental agreement or lease; those written contracts supersede what has been traditionally taken care of by landlords and renters.

When it comes to property maintenance, there are dozens upon dozens of things to consider. From light bulbs to exterior painting and everything in between, the level of responsibilities shared by tenants and you is negotiable.

When you lease a rental property to a tenant, one of the many disclosures you must make is what is known as a “Title X” lead-based paint disclosure. In 1992, Congress passed the “Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act” which became known as Title X.  The purpose of the act was to insure that landlords and property managers fully disclosed the fact that tenants may be exposing themselves to the hazards of lead-based paint, which can cause multiple health issues.

Prior to 1978, lead was commonly used in paint to act as a hardener for the paint. Lead-based paints actually performed better than non-lead based paints 40 years ago. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. However, it is a fact that lead-based paint, when it peels, chips, or gets sanded, can cause multiple health problems, especially in the youth and aged.

As a property manager or landlord, you will undoubtedly be faced with the issue of eviction. It is an inevitable topic when you own or manage a rental property, whether it is residential or commercial. Remember, too, that state laws vary and eviction proceedings are different in every jurisdiction.

What we are going to discuss here is the meaning of an eviction and how one comes about.

1.) Immediately recommend that they seek medical attention.

2.) Take thorough notes, and be sure to include the following:

• Name, address and telephone number of injured person
• Indicate type of injury sustained
• Describe what happened
• Time of the accident
• Witnesses of the accident (Get names, addresses, and telephone numbers.)
• If appropriate, take photographs

Question

I want to put my Pennsylvania home up for sale, but the house is currently occupied by 2 tenants. Their lease is up in 6 months. What are the steps that I have to take in order to notify the tenants? Also, am I able to show the home while it is still occupied?

Answer

1) Make sure to get everything in writing, and take notes on the conversations you have

2) Do not rush into hiring a contractor. You want to wait and make sure you have all of the information you need in order to make an informed decision.

3) Shop around. Talk to people, ask questions, and do as much as you possibly can to learn about the project before you start on it.

1) Hire only licensed contractors.

2) Check the license board for the contractor before hiring them.

3) Get 3 references that are no more than 12 months old, and if it is possible, review their past and/or current work. It is important to look for a contractor with experience in the type of project you are working on.