The two most damaging things to a rental property are fire and water. When it comes to fire, there’s not much you’ll be able to do on your own when you get a tenant’s panicked phone call. Call emergency services right away. However, your quick action may minimize the harmful effects of a water emergency…
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Nearly all states and cities in the U.S. have rules establishing a baseline of “habitability” for residential rental units. Typically, landlords are responsible for ensuring that the rented unit is fit for human beings to live in – a standard that varies from place to place, but typically includes things like roofs that don’t leak,…
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Can tenants make copies of keys? It’s a tough question because as a landlord you may feel a little urked if a tenant is doing this. Legal Disclaimer: The materials and information presented here were provided for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Zillow Group does not make any…
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We’ve all been locked out at some point but some people seem to fall victim more than others. An apartment lock out policy can save headaches for a landlord with a forgetful tenant. The audio file above addresses this question as Avvo’s chief legal officer, Josh King, weighs in with his thoughts. Below you can…
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Landlords must carry insurance on any property they own, and it is meant to take care of things like liability and personal injuries for tenants and guests on the premises. Attacks from dogs are just one of many things that can happen that causes landlords to file an insurance claim. According to the website DogsBite.org,…
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One of the downsides of rental homes is that they are often decorated with only the most basic colors and serviceable but simple appliances, flooring and cabinetry. Because you probably signed a lease where you agreed not to make any permanent changes to your rental, it can be difficult to make your home feel personal, much…
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While bats are generally only associated with Halloween celebrations, many property owners find that bats can be a problem all year long. In many parts of the country, bats take up residence in the attics of buildings, including rental properties. When landlords are alerted to the presence of a bat in the apartment, it is…
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Landlords can set up requirements for tenants to follow in the lease agreement, and including a clause that requires them to carry renters insurance is growing increasingly common. Renters insurance policies cover the tenant and their guests and fill the gaps where the landlord’s property insurance does not cover. Such policies are not expensive, but they can make…
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Tree care is often the last thing on a landlord’s mind, thanks to a million other demands on their time. Property owners are responsible for the care and maintenance of everything on the property, but many just focus on the house itself and ignore things like sheds, fences and even trees. But trees can really…
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It’s one of the worst things that can happen to property you own—a fire destroys some or all of the structure. Going through the aftermath of a fire can be devastating, but landlords need to prepare for any event to happen. Being well informed and educated on what to do after a fire at a…
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