Monday, April 25, 2011

Tenant Screening for Real Estate Agents

Tenant Screening for Real Estate Agents

Real Estate agents may not have access to a Tenant Screening Service. This is often the case in small offices or in offices that don't do many residential rentals.

Real Estate Agents who need to run a tenant credit, criminal history and obtain a credit score on an applicant may simply use the RentLaw.com Tenant Screening Service available through

http://rentlaw.mysmartmove.com

There is NO COST to set up a property you are managing or leasing for the owner.

Real estate agents may simply create an account at:

http://rentlaw.mysmartmove.com

You should select the LANDLORD option and create an account.

You can setup and manage multiple properties under one account.

Once the properties are setup (only takes a few minutes), when an applicant comes in, you may still take a traditional paper application (available here on RentLaw.com http://www.rentlaw.com/forms/rental-application.htm ).

To use the rentlaw.mysmartmove.com tenant screening service, you will need the applicant's email address.

You login to your landlord account, select the property the applicant is applying for and enter in the email address of the applicant.

At this time, you will select who will pay for the report - The Landlord or The Tenant.

You may want to pay for it as the Landlord, then collect the fee from the tenant. This makes it easier and doesn't delay or scare off the tenant. Only collect an application fee if you are permitted by state law. In most states, you may not charge MORE than what the actual report cost.

Tell the applicant they will receive an email that they should open and follow the instructions to complete the tenant screening process.

Once they complete and submit their information, you will receive notification along with their score, credit history, criminal history and scoring recommendation.

Real estate agents will find this service quick and reliable. RentLaw.mysmartmove.com is powered by the TransUnion - a trusted name in the credit history industry.

How do we know it works - we are landlords, real estate agents and property managers.

Try it. There is no obligation.

Thank you,

The RentLaw.com and TenantFacts.com Tenant Screening team.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Security Deposit Guide

Note: These are summaries of State Landlord Tenant Security Deposit Laws.

Detailed Security Deposit information may be found on RentLaw.com The National Landlord Tenant Guides http://www.rentlaw.com/securitydeposit.htm .


Note: GUIDELINES typically apply leases of 1 year or more. Each state may have different security deposit laws. Generally "Short Term" agreements do not apply. Short Term may be defined as Seasonal Rental (Winter, Summer, etc), student housing (semester), dormitories, hotels or rooming houses.


Before you move in, do a walk through (pictures) and note any damages and condition of the rental. The move-in list should be referred to when you leave.
When you leave the apartment (or other rental) do a walk through with the owner or property manager. Take pictures and both agree to any damages or to the condition of the rental. See our Normal Wear Tear Guide.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

In September, RentLaw.com announced several new Real Estate related sites including:

- SmallLandlord.com will be focused on services for the small landlord (1 - 100 units). In addition to the current Tenant Screening Services from rentlaw.mysmartmove.com, SmallLandlord.com will add more forms and features enabling the small landlord to better manage their property - whether it be one unit or 50.

- NYTenantRights.com will provide more detail and insight into NY Landlord Tenant Law with more resources for Tenants throughout New York's 62 counties.

- TenantInfo.com launches with a greater emphasis on the Tenant. With approximately 35 million tenants in the United States, there are always a few looking for a quick and speedy response to a their question. TenantInfo.com for Landlords will provide additional screening and rent collection services.

- TenantFacts.com originally introduced in 2009 will provide additional information for Tenants in a simple and easy to follow format. TenantFacts.com for Landlords will provide additional screening and rent collection services.

- NewYorkTenantRights.com - a simply tenant reference manual for New York. Easy to read and easy to follow.

RentLaw.com The National Landlord Tenant Guides began in 1998 as a resource for New Jersey Tenants. Today, RentLaw.com is one of the larger landlord tenant websites with over 40,000 members.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Bedbug Photos on RentLaw.com

Bed Bugs are the little creatures that may come out at night and invade your bed or furniture - like couches or mattresses.

They seem to prefer human and other warm blooded creatures.

Now, New York has signed the Bedbug Disclosure Act. More on RentLaw.com

See what Bedbugs look like with these pictures of bedbugs on RentLaw.com .

Bed bug infestations were common in the United States before World War II. But with improvements in hygiene, and widespread use of DDT until it was banned, the bugs nearly vanished. However, they remained active outside the US. So why are bed bugs back and how can you keep your apartment, home or, if you are the landlord - your building free of problems?

Read more in Bed Bugs and Bed Bug laws atRentLaw.com. Full Article on Bed Bugs.

Thursday, July 08, 2010

FREE RENT RECEIPT FORMS

RentLaw.com The National Landlord Tenant Guide today announced availability on their website http:/www.rentlaw.com Free Rent Receipt Forms in pdf format.

Simply visit RentLaw.com http://www.rentlaw.com/forms/rentreceipt.htm and download the free Rent Receipt Forms.

There are 3 rent receipts per page when printed. These receipts are ideal for BOTH the Landlord and Tenant to track rent payments paid and received.

There are no membership requirements to download the Rent Receipt form nor fees to download the form.

LANDLORDS: Use the Free Rent Receipt form to record ALL monies received from the tenant as well as track the balance due. Be sure to sign and date all receipts and make a paper copy even if you are using a computerized program to track. Match your receipts to you bank deposit slips to help you track your rents received when tax time comes.

TENANTS: Use the Free Rent Receipt form to record ALL monies paid to the LANDLORD or other parties to the lease. Be sure to have the receipt signed by the landlord or their representative. Know before hand who you are giving monies to and if they are authorized to do so on behalf of the landlord.

For more information on the landlord tenant relationships, visit RentLaw.com The National Landlord Tenant Guide .



Friday, April 23, 2010

Tenant Screening For Small Landlords

RentLaw.com The National Landlord Tenant Guide offers a great tenant screening solution with rentlaw.mysmartmove.com. This tenant screening tool is a product of Transunion's MySmartMove and enables small landlords (1-200) the means to run a tenant credit report online.

FREE LANDLORD ACCOUNT
There is no cost to create and setup the properties with Rentlaw.mysmartmove.com. A fee of $20 or $25 is charged only when a tenant screening report is requested.

In states where you may charge the applicant for the report, you will have an option to have the tenant billed or the landlord.

Visit Rentlaw.com for many more tips for both landlords and tenants.

For more information on tenant screening, visit http://www.rentlaw.com/tenantscreening.htm or create your free account or view the demo at http://rentlaw.mysmartmove.htm.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Bed Bugs

Bed Bugs are the little creatures that may come out at night and invade your bed or furniture - like couches or mattresses.

They seem to prefer human and other warm blooded creatures.

Bed bug infestations were common in the United States before World War II. But with improvements in hygiene, and widespread use of DDT until it was banned, the bugs nearly vanished. However, they remained active outside the US. So why are bed bugs back and how can you keep your apartment, home or, if you are the landlord - your building free of problems?

Read more in Bed Bugs and Bed Bug laws at RentLaw.com. Full Article on Bed Bugs.