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.

Late Rent Payment Fees

While many states do not specifically regulate LATE FEES for LATE RENT PAYMENTS, the term REASONABLE or FAIR is often used in stating how much the late fee can be.

Some states that do regulate LATE RENT FEES may also state that a LATE FEE may not be charged until 5 or 10 days (or any number) after the due date or not until the tenant is notified, in writing, of the rent due and possibility of being charged a late fee. You may also give the tenant 3-5 days (if you choose) BEFORE you decide to charge a late fee.

If you accept late rent payments from the tenant, even with the late payment fee, you may be telling the tenant "it's ok to pay late" - this is what you
"imply" to the tenant.

While it does no good for the tenant to pay late rent, especially with the late fee, some do.

As a landlord, be sure ONCE THE FIRST PAYMENT IS RECEIVED LATE, CHARGE A LATE FEE.
Do so in a standard letter, delivered Certified Mail. Be sure your late fee clause in contained in WRITTEN LEASE and be specific WHEN and HOW MUCH the reasonable late fee will be if rent is not paid on the DUE DATE.

Often what happens when a tenant is late in paying rent, YOU as the landlord wind up becoming late on your payment for related bills, especially if your rental income does not cover your operating expenses.

Different rules may apply for Federal or State subsidized housing. Read your contracts you sign with the Federal or State Agency to understand if and how much you can charge for late rent payment fees.

Read more on Late Rent Payment Fees on RentLaw.com The National Landlord Tenant Guide.

Rent vs Buy

RentLaw.com Rent vs Buy Guide

Should you buy or rent?

The common theory is that owning your home is cheaper then renting. True or False?

It depends on a number of factors, the most important being the cost of buying vs. the cost of renting the same or similar home. Local Market conditions determine price while your personal needs also come into play.

Common Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. How long do intend to live in the area

2. Your family status - are you single, married (with children or planning to have)

3. What is the local market conditions - for both renting and buying.

4. Why would you buy vs rent ?

5. Are you looking at it is an investment for yourself (move in, then sell in a few years)

6. Are you looking at it as an investment to buy an rent to someone else - now (and you use later) or later (and you use now)?

7. Job status- are you comfortable in your job - stability no relocation etc. Read more on issue: Renting vs. Buying on RentLaw.com The National Landlord Tenant Guide. Find this complete article: http://www.rentlaw.com/rentbuy.htm

Tenant Screening for Large Operators

July 6, 2009- RentLaw.com The National Landlord Tenant Guide is now marketing an advanced Tenant Screening Solution for multi-family operators of over 250 units.

Currently, landlords and property managers may create a free landlord-tenant account at http://rentlaw.mysmartmove.com . This enables the property owner to submit a tenant's request for a credit report with no additional paperwork.

RentLaw.com is now offering a tenant screening solution specifically designed for large (250 units or more) in conjunction with one of the top credit providers in the country.

If you are multi-family operator with over 250 units contact us today to discuss your tenant screening requirements.

For further information, please contact:

Robert Dorfman
Director of Marketing
732-539-2914
rentlaw@gmail.com

Tenant Screening Launched on RentLaw.com

March 31, 2009: RentLaw.com The National Landlord Tenant Guides announced a new online Tenant Screening - Credit Reporting service.

If you're a large or small landlord, you're challenged with finding the "right" tenant. You want one that pays on time and keeps the rented unit clean and causes no problem. Sounds like a simple request. You can ask for previous landlord's references and work references and hope for the best. What about a tenant's credit history, eviction data or bankruptcies? You can ask many questions on a credit application and hope they are answered truthfully. Many landlords and real estate agents aren't sure how to go about obtaining a credit report or obtaining it legally.

Here's a solution we like. The industry's first web-based rental screening solution Unlike traditional screening methods, RentLaw.mysmartmove is all online, for you and the tenant. Once you create an account, all you need to get started is your potential tenant's e-mail address.

TransUnion RentLaw.mysmartmove is designed specifically for independent rental owners and smaller property management groups. A comprehensive database of credit and criminal background information offers you the same technology used by the largest property management firms in an easy-to-use, cost-effective solution. This also provides renters with data privacy because they provide their identifying information directly to TransUnion in a secure, online environment.

Simple and transparent For the standard price of $20.00 the landlord receives:

• Credit-based Leasing Recommendation/Security Deposit Recommendation
• National criminal report (including 50 state sex offender and OFAC/Terrorist searches)Renter Fraud Warnings
• Automated Renter Identity Verification
• 
  
  
  For an additional $5.00, the landlord may also receive:
• Immediate access to a credit report (a complete report formatted for readability while still keeping the renter's personal data private)
• Viewable Credit Score
• Renter Fraud Warnings
• Detailed Rental Address History

For more details, please see RentLaw.com or

Create a RentLaw.com.mysmartmove.com Tenant Credit Verification:

Apartment Search on RentLaw.com

March 28, 2009 - RentLaw.com The National Landlord Tenant Guide introduces an Apartment Search tool at http://www.rentlaw.com/apartments/search.htm .

With the new tool, a user can simply type in the city or state they are searching for an apartment and the tool returns information on the corresponding Landlord Tenant Law , various listings and ads from Google and listings from RentLaw.com, including MyNewPlace.com , Apartments.com and local partners.

In introducing this feature, David Dorfman, Publisher of RentLaw.com, noted the goal is to further enhance and simplify a users experience by combining the apartment search results within RentLaw.com along with the corresponding Landlord Tenant Laws for that city and state.

RentLaw.com The National Landlord Tenant Guide was founded in 1998 and today is one of the largest Landlord Tenant Guides on the Internet.

Contact:

David Dorfman, Publisher
rentlaw@gmail.com

RentLaw.com Launches Tenant Screening Services

February 2, 2009 - RentLaw.com The National Landlord Tenant Guide announced today they have launched a Tenant Screening Service powered by Advantage Tenant.

Designed for landlords of all sizes, the service is available online 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. In addition, customer service hours are from 8 am to 6 pm to answer questions related to the tenant credit reporting services.

To obtain a tenant credit report, go to the partner site : http://www.advantagetenant.com/rentlaw-tenant-screening.html and begin.

For more information on using tenant credit reports, visit RentLaw.com Tenant Credit Reporting Center.

David Dorfman, publisher of RentLaw.com, said today "this marks another milestone in the continued growth of RentLaw.com as this service, powered by Advantage Tenant, provides another opportunity for landlords, large and small, access to an easy to use and affordable service for tenant verification".

About RentLaw.com The National Landlord Tenant Guides - Founded in 1998 by David Dorfman, RentLaw.com today has over 40,000 members including landlords, tenants, lawyers and more.

Abour AdvantageTenant.com - Founded in 1991, Advantage Tenant is a subsidary of Advantage Credit International, is one of the largest providers of credit reporting services in the country.

Contact:
David Dorfman
Publisher
RentLaw.com
dorfman.david@gmail.com
732-539-2914

Landlord and Santa Claus

Are you like me a landlord who when it comes Christmas time, start to believe you are Santa?

For me, it typically begins with the November rent.

Then by December when you go looking for rent "I'm sorry, but it's Christmas and I had to go shopping - can you wait til next week...".

Next week comes around and it's still not Christmas - the house or apartment is getting decorated and the presents get as big as the promises.

Read the complete "The Landlord as Santa" on RentLaw.com and become a better landlord today.