5 Most Frustrating Things that Tenants Do to Landlords

You may not always love your landlord, but there are certain things you can do, to make sure you don’t end up on anyone’s bad side while you rent an apartment or other property. Most renters can agree it is in everyone’s best interest to keep someone happy when they have a stake in your living situation. By the same token, if you are looking into renting an investment property to St George tenants, there are several things you can be aware of so you are prepared for what you are taking on as a landlord. Here are the Top 5 most frustrating things that landlords experience at the hands of their renters.

1. Failing to report maintenance issues

While you may take pride in your willingness to “just live with it” when something falls out of repair, your landlord is actually relying on you to some extent to keep him or her informed of what the rental property is in need of in order to stay in great shape. A great solution for this is to do walk-through inspections of your properties, in order to check that everything is working well and looks nice. These are best to do when the tenant is home so that as you walk through they can point out the little things that come to mind. They may be dealing with something small like a broken toilet paper holder but will remember to tell you about it when you are standing there in the bathroom with them. Long-time St George tenants may be keeping wear and tear to themselves, especially if they don’t notice things that gradually break down over the years. It is all too common for tenants to overlook stains from children and pets on the carpet and walls until it’s too late. If you are doing regular inspections, you can easily keep track of which units need new carpet, paint, and appliances. Keeping up with little fixes along the way will save the tenant on their deposit refund, keep them happy with a well-maintained living space, and save you from extensive updates and repairs when they move out and you finally get a look around.

2. Failing to pay rent on time (or pay at all!)

Some tenants might want to ignore capitalism’s social contract that nothing is free. If you want to occupy a space, there is a cost for it. There are some tenants that may use a sob story to get into a rental for a discounted deposit, and never pay rent after the first month. Some St George tenants may understand that an eviction process takes times, and they may be able to get away with 90 days or more of rent-free living before the court system proceeds with kicking them out of your property. More often though, tenants may hit financial struggles and pay late for a few months while they get back on their feet. It is important to run a credit check on your prospective tenant, and also speak with their former landlords so that you have a feel for their habits for paying bills on time.

3. Ignoring pet policies and smoking policies

Landlords have several policies in place to keep their property livable for current and future tenants, while keeping the rental investment as cost-efficient and as low-maintenance as possible. Many landlords do not allow pets, or allow them only under special circumstances or with additional fees. When tenants ignore a no-pet policy, there is virtually always expensive damage from pet stains, chewing, scratching, and odor. These damages come out of the tenant’s deposit and are costly and troublesome for both parties. It is similar to policies that prohibit smoking. Smoke damage and the odor is almost impossible to get rid of, and most deposits for St George tenants won’t cover the cost of stripping down paint, built-ins, and flooring to start fresh after a smoker. Other policies, like occupancy limits, parking, waste management, and noise levels, are in place to encourage your tenants to be good neighbors and responsible members of the rental community. This will help ensure that other people in the area appreciate your property ownership, and understand that you are taking care of things.

4. Making unapproved changes to a rental

When a renter paints an accent wall a bright turquoise or puts in new kitchen flooring just for fun, it can really throw a wrench in landlords streamlined maintenance process. First off, a tenant is most likely not a professional painter or contractor, and there may be plenty of trim and edges to fix on a new paint job, even if you do like the color they choose. If they replace flooring or fixtures, you have no guarantee that the work was done properly in order to last for years of wear and tear from future St George tenants. In addition, if you have more than one unit that you manage, little customizations like that can make it a pain for you to make repairs and touch ups as tenants move in and out. It can be much easier to have neutral colors and finishings selected, that work in all of your rental units.

5. St George tenants moving out with no notice

It can be incredibly annoying to hit the 5^th of the month, and call a tenant looking for a rent check, only to find out they moved out with no notice, leaving the place trashed, and you with no rental income for that month and perhaps longer. Filling a rental unit with reliable St George tenants can take time, between cleaning and repairs to get a unit ready to show, advertising, properly screening tenants, and collecting deposits and rent. If you don’t have at least 30-days to get started on that process (and ideally walk through the unit with the tenant to make note of what needs to be done by them and by you), you can lose out on a month or more of rental income for that property. This loss comes on top of any damages that the deposit does not cover, and there may be several of those when you are dealing with a tenant that doesn’t communicate and then skips town.

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5 Most Frustrating Things Landlords do to Tenants

The mere mention of the word “landlord” causes some people stress and even anger. Some landlords are truly terrible, but very often St George landlords are reasonable and kind, and want to work things out with you for the best result available. If you are a real estate investor with a property or properties that you plan to rent out, this list will help you understand what not to do. If your tenants are happy, you are at a great advantage in the property management game. Happy tenants are more likely to pay on time, and communicate better if an issue comes up that causes rent to be late. Happy tenants also will often treat the property as though it is their own home, instead of trashing it. Happy renters will also let you know about anything in or outside the property that needs your attention and concern. Keeping your tenants happy and loyal is almost like an extra insurance policy on your investment. Here is a list of landlord no-no’s that you can make sure you avoid if you want your renters on your side.

1. Invasions of privacy

There are many laws and codes in place to protect renters and St George landlords as well. These codes often protect the landlord’s investment, and the renters’ privacy, safety, and wellbeing. Landlords who enter a rental property without notice (usually 2 days notice in Utah) are in specific violation of these codes. While most St George landlords follow this guideline and provide notice for any visits or inspections, there are a few landlords that may violate these rules, especially for privacy. The worst landlords out there have been charged criminally for instances of spying, going through mail, even removing the doors and windows of a rental so the tenant could not comfortably stay, due to like of privacy and security. One nightmare landlord in New York was sued for viewing videos recorded from cameras installed in each bedroom and bathroom of his rental property. While that is an extreme case, it is good to know that you can reference landlord/tenant law in Utah at any time online, and make sure you are following the proper protocol.

2. Neglecting maintenance issues

Landlords generally hold the responsibility for managing repairs and any maintenance concerns on their rental property. These tasks can range from replacing furnace filters to handling lawn care and landscaping. St George landlords are largely accessible and reliable for taking care of maintenance issues, but there are the few exceptions when something broken or worn out can really get under a tenants skin. If a tenant has to call more than once to get something emergent fixed, that can be a huge hassle. A good landlord needs to be available, and have the right, knowledgeable people on hand to get things back in working order. If you don’t have a maintenance person employed on staff, you can use various sub-contractors when problems arise. As a landlord it is wise to have relationships with a painter, plumber, carpet cleaner and/or layer, HVAC installer, and appliance repair person. You can get good recommendations for all of these roles online or by talking to other property owners in the area. A landlord that is unwilling to take on the regular maintenance of a property outside his own home should not be renting it out. Good St George landlords also help prevent maintenance issues by keeping things in good repair as tenants turn over. If things are maintained when timely, a rental property investment can stay livable, comfortable, and profitable for years to come.

3. St George landlords charging unfair rent prices

Some landlords will raise rent to an unreasonable level just to force renters out. St George landlords might be looking either to sell the place, or rent it to someone who doesn’t mind paying a little more. Either way, rent prices need to fall within a reasonable range for the property’s worth, and the price of rent can never be changed while a tenant lives in the property without correct notice. In Utah, tenants usually need 30 days notice, but more is definitely appreciated, especially if the tenant can’t afford the new price and needs to move. Even with notice, it is best to warn tenants when they sign the lease that the rent is subject to a slight increase (usually 5-8%) not more than once a year.

4. Attempting illegal eviction

Landlords are not able to evict renters faster than the legal due process, but sometimes they will try. Some St George landlords may go the route of making everything as uncomfortable for the renter as possible, so they will move out faster and voluntarily. If circumstances warrant that a renter is evicted, be sure to check local legal protocol for eviction. Generally, you need to provide notice, and also file the eviction with the court

5. Discrimination

Utah law prohibits landlords from disqualifying tenants from renting based on race, religion, gender or sex identity, veteran status, and other protected identities. If any St George landlords to discriminate based on these things, they can face losing their rental license, or even criminal charges. It is wise to have a list of qualifications for renting your property set up beforehand. If you choose to deny someone’s application to rent, you can refer back to the requirements you have communicated, or often, simply let them know you chose another candidate. Offering any personal reasons can really damage your income and reputation as a landlord.

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Top 5 Ways to Find Quality Tenants for your St George Real Estate Investment

When responsible renters are looking for a great new place to live, they need to be able to find you and your property. If your St George real estate investment is visible and accessible for those trying to find it, you have a better chance of getting great quality tenants that will pay rent on time and take good care of your property while they live there. These five tips will bring a wider pool of renters to you and your rental property, providing you the best tenants to choose from.

1. Social Media

Advertising through social media is one of the smartest things a real estate investor or landlord can do. Many people get basically all of their news and community interaction from social media sites and apps. It is a great idea to create a Facebook or twitter page for your rental company, or just post simple ads for what you have available on your personal pages. You can even use hashtags that are relevant to your community or to the features of the property itself. On social media, you will mostly be visible to people you know and respect, and then possible other people that your friends know and respect. This network can facilitate the likelihood that a tenant will be responsible, as they know some of the same people that you do socially. A renter that finds you through social media is also usually easy to verify as far as income and stability. Your St George real estate investment property will probably have a better chance of being well taken care of if it is rented by someone that is within your community circle.

2. “For Rent” Sign

Landlords or property owners sometimes make the mistake of posting ads on every possible online or print medium, and forget the simple power of a “For Rent” sign at their property. Even as the world moves to more and more digital advertising and communication, many people still like to drive through their desired neighborhood to look for anything available to rent. A quick drive-by offers up-close views and helps renters to envision day-to-day life at their new apartment, condo, or house. They may be able to check out who lives near by, talk to neighbors, scope parking space and number of stairs, little details that will make them feel comfortable about making the rental property their home. If you don’t have a “For Rent” sign up in the window or on the lawn of your St George real estate investment property, you are missing out on drive by traffic that could lead great renters right to you.

3. Offer Incentives

Another great way to fill your St George real estate investment property with excellent tenants is to offer referral incentives to your current tenants that you trust. Let your tenants know that you have property available. If you have a good relationship with them, they will be happy to tell their friends and family to rent from you. Offer fliers they can give to anyone that is interested, to make things as easy as possible for them. You can offer a discount on the next month’s rent for a tenant, once a referral meets the application requirement, signs a lease, and pays their deposit. You can also offer new renters an incentive in your ads, such as a flat screen TV or gift card for renting by a certain date. The price of these items is easily compensated by getting the full rent for your property promptly, with no gaps. These purchases may also be possible to write off on your property taxes.

4. Respond promptly

If you are trying to get a property filled quickly, it is of utmost importance to always be available by phone and email, and even text, to respond to interested renters. If you don’t answer for a day or two, the potential may have moved on to signing a lease on another St George real estate investment property. You will want to treat your rental investment income like a real job. It likely won’t take as much time as many full-time jobs, but your availability must be at that level to be the kind of landlord that people trust and rely on. Part of this availability is having plenty of opportunities for people to see the apartment. Be sure when an apartment opens up, to get it clean and touched up as needed immediately. You can publicize time slots for open houses, or take viewing appointments on a case by case basis, but just be available for renters to look at the apartment while they are excited and motivated to sign the lease.

5. Rental websites

Make sure your ad is professional, accurate, and complete. Include all relevant information including: number of bedrooms and bathrooms, pet and smoking policies, available parking, price, lease length, application process requirements, and plenty of good quality photos. When potential renters call you, they will still have plenty of questions, and will likely ask about things that you have listed, but at least the information is there and everything is transparent. If you only include a one-liner about your “cozy apartment for rent,” many prospective tenants will pass you by thinking you are a scam or just a risky person to deal with. You want you and your St George real estate investment to be presented in the best light possible.  Tenants looking for someone to rip off will lean toward ads and landlords that don’t seem to know what they are doing. If you appear experienced and  trustworthy, you are more likely to get trustworthy tenants.

http://holidayresortrealty.com/st-george-real-estate-investment/

Having a hard time selling your home? Experience has shown that the following reasons tend to be the culprits more often than not. Consider the following so that you don't have any trouble selling your home:

Too many things preventing people from coming through

A common mistake that many sellers don’t realize they’re making is putting up too many roadblocks that make it difficult for potential buyers to see the home. If you (or your listing agent) are difficult to get a hold of, are requiring too much notice and multiple calls to set up an appointment, or are implementing other practices that can be viewed as restrictions and inconveniences to buyers, you’re shooting yourself in the foot. You will certainly have trouble selling your home if you're practicing some of these bad habits.

Your house is too old for the price you're asking

It’s okay if your house still has its original baths and kitchen, but make sure that the price reflects that. If your house isn’t in great condition, don’t expect to get top dollar.

Bad photos

Your listing photos must be high quality. Consider hiring a professional photographer if your budget will allow. You’ll be stunned how much more interest will come your way. And this should go without saying, but make sure that your house is immaculate and looks fantastic before taking photos.

You may have priced it too high

If the price is right, virtually any house in any area in any condition will sell. With this is mind, know that there are certain things that buyers expect discounts for; things like off-putting paint colors, dated plumbing, clutter, and old kitchens. There’s a good amount of risk involved when you decide to price the home high with the intention of gradually dropping it. The main risk here is that you’re increasing the amount of time that your house will likely remain on the market. This gives a false signal to potential buyers that something is wrong with it. If you want your house to sell, price it right from the beginning.

The house is too dark

First impressions are immensely important. An empty, dark house is not going to allow for very many of those. You want to make your home look as warm and inviting as possible to those who come and view it. Try to avoid things like too much dark-colored leather and paneling. Consider repainting cabinets and panels white. And open the drapes!

Your home may be uninsurable

This is a more considerable issue in some states compared to others, but make sure that you’re aware of the standards in the state where your home resides. If it doesn’t meet those standards, get it up to code before trying to get someone to buy it at a reasonable price. Some states will disqualify home owners insurance until an inspection of the cooling system, roof, plumbing and electrical systems has been done. If you don’t get these things taken care of, you’re limiting yourself to buyers who have the ability to pay cash and renovate it themselves.

6 Possible Reasons Why You’re Having Trouble Selling Your Home

Trouble Selling

Article by Clear Content Marketing

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If you are new to the real estate investment scene and are excited to build your portfolio but are unsure where to begin, don’t worry. You’re not alone. It’s likely that your peers all have different opinions and advice that often contradict each other causing you some confusion and indecision. It’s true that there are many different ways that you can begin investing in real estate and all have their advantages as well as their own risks. We suggest putting all of the various investments options into categories and addressing them from this more organized point of view. Doing this will help you gain a clearer understanding of what is involved with each one to help you move forward. There are five major groups that the majority of real estate investments fall into. What follows is a brief explanation of each one.

Residential

Any properties that are tied to or involve a dwelling where someone lives, such as an apartment or home, are categorized as residential real estate investments. This category also includes such properties that involve a service business aspect, such as full-service luxury tenant buildings and assisted living accommodations. 12 to 18-month leases are common for this type of investment, making the residential category the most susceptible to changing marketing conditions.

Commercial

This category is made up mainly of office buildings. Different from the one-year leases of residential investments, these leases often last years, which has its pros and cons. Even if lease rates on similar properties go down, cash flow will continue because the tenant is in a long-term commitment (at high prices, most likely) and the investment is fully leased. But often times the opposite is, in fact, true because if the lease rates happen to increase after you already agreed to a long-term lease, you will probably be earning low lease rates that are below market.

Industrial

This real estate investment category includes assembly plants, manufacturing facilities, storage units, distribution centers, and warehouses.

Retail

Here, you’re dealing with properties like traditional malls, strip malls, and shopping centers. You’ll be dealing with a wide variety of tenants when investing in retail, like restaurants, hair salons, retail shops, and others. Where lease rates are concerned, there’s a good chance that you would be dealing with a situation that involved acquiring a percentage of the sales the retail store produces. Typically this will incentivize landlords to be more invested in the commercial success of their tenants and will sometimes get involved in various ways to make sure that the business has a high chance of succeeding.

Mixed-use

This category is essentially where we group hard-to-categorize properties; ones that involve more than one of the real estate investment types above. As an example, a restaurant or retail establishment may reside on the ground floor of a building with multiple stories, of which could include residential apartments or office space. This is just one example of many that would be grouped into the mixed-use category.

5 Areas Where You Can Begin Investing in Real Estate

Estate Investments

Article by Clear Content Marketing

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A landlord liability is an aspect of being a property owner that the owner is responsible for, including risky allowances offered to tenants. Here are five of the more important ones that should be carefully considered.

Dogs

Ah, animals. They're usually a big headache for many landlords that allow them. This is certainly a landlord liability because you’re taking a risk allowing them in really any situation, but many landlords allow them. Just know that if you allow them, there are many situations where you as the landlord will be liable in situations where your tenant’s dog clamps down on a neighbor’s hand or leg, especially if you knew beforehand that the dog had violent tendencies or has a known history of violence. In that situation, you are up against the wall. However, taking precautionary steps can help you avoid bad animal situations. We recommend not allowing animals, especially dogs, at all. But if you allow them, make sure that tenants keep their dogs on leashes when they leave the home for any amount of time. This assures that the dog won’t ruin your house while they’re gone. And of course, make sure that you give yourself the ability to evict the dog at your own free will if you feel the need to do so.

Criminal Activity

You must remember that is your responsibility to protect the people who rent your homes from criminal activity, especially if your property is in a high crime area. It is not advisable to own a home in a high crime area in the first place, but many landlords do and this section of the article applies to all landlords. Tenants can sue landlords if there is proof that the landlord has neglected to provide proper protection so it’s very important to secure your property as thoroughly as you can. Make yourself aware of the renter-protecting laws so that you can properly follow and adhere to them, and get a security system and always make sure that it is working.

Windows and Screens

This may be something that as a landlord would not make it on this list, but it definitely deserves a place on it. You do not want your tenant’s child to fall out of a window or hurt themselves falling through a poorly installed screen. In those situations, it’s most likely that you as the landlord will be held liable. Double and triple check each and every window and screen in all of your properties and make sure they are in good condition. Do checkups on them often to make sure that they haven’t been damaged.

Secondhand Smoke

Nobody likes second-hand smoke, and landlords should especially not like it because tenants can sue landlords over second-hand smoke in many instances. If one of your tenants suffers from any breathing abnormality or condition and their condition becomes worsened because of second-hand smoke while they are living on your property, it’s very likely that they would have grounds to sue you. We don’t recommend allowing smoking in the first place, similar to not allowing pets, but if you are okay with it the tenants need a specific place outside where they are allowed to smoke.

Bedbugs

The elusive bedbug can be a liability. Many landlords and property owners are unaware of this. Bedbugs infestations are more common then you might think. It is vital to what is necessary to prevent this from happening inside your properties. Spray, spray, spray. Spray often.

Conclusion

Well, we hope that all of this information was helpful to all of you landlords and property owners. It is much better to take action to prevent potential liability situations rather than dealing with them as they come. And more then likely, they will come.  It is sort of the name of the game. Good luck with everything!

5 Liabilities That Landlords Should Be Aware Of

Landlord Liability

Article by Clear Content Marketing

Maintaining rental properties that you own is one the highest priorities you have as a property manager. Many other aspects of your rental properties depend on this. If you are someone who owns rental properties reading this article, you may be thinking, “Why are we addressing this? This is obvious.” Well, you may be surprised to learn what a high percentage of landlords neglect the maintenance of the properties that they own. There are many reasons for this, but the excuses for this neglect usually don’t hold any water. As a property manager, you absolutely must take your maintenance seriously, especially if your long-term plan is to acquire more properties in the future. We would like to give you four essential things to remember as far as physically maintaining your rentals are concerned.

Preparation

Make no mistake; as a landlord, you will without a doubt have to spend money you weren’t planning on spending on maintenance. Your tenant will call you at a time when you least expect it telling you that there’s a leak in the ceiling or a sprinkler is broken or the air conditioner isn’t working. Be financially and mentally prepared for this because it will happen. Even if your house is brand new, our experience is that something always comes up. Make sure to have a stash of money tucked away that is designed to represent the full length of your tenant’s contract, that way if something comes up (which it will) you will be prepared and will not have to take a big hit.

Regulations and Legality

These rules are typically not the same state to state. Sometimes even neighboring counties have different legal requirements so it’s very important that you make yourself privy to all of these laws and requirements. Also, don’t forget to inform your tenants of what those rules are as well so the both of you are on the same page in that regard. Having this knowledge will aid you in situations where you are not sure whether or not you should call a professional service or clean it yourself, for example. Many property owners communicate with attorneys as a source of pertinent legal information, which is a great idea if the information isn’t readily available to you. There are many situations where the tenant is, in fact, liable for something that you may think is your responsibility. Knowing the local legality regarding leasing, landlords, and tenants can give you a heads up knowing what should be done in maintenance situations.

Happy Tenant = Happy Landlord

To some this is self-explanatory, but it must be emphasized here. Get right back to your tenant when they call you about a problem that’s surfaced with the house and do your very best to solve that problem as quickly and efficiently as you can, communicating with your tenant throughout the whole process. This behavior has a true impact on the tenant-landlord relationship.

Turnover and Maintenance Are Related

If you want your tenants to resign, stay on top of maintenance. This is a strong factor that affects tenant turnover. Tenants don’t want to remove themselves from a good landlord situation because it’s rare to find landlords who promptly return calls and who prioritize being on top of all of the maintenance of a rental property. You may be thinking about the financial hits (let alone hits to your time) you take if you are this meticulous about maintenance, but in terms of long-term value, you would be making the wiser and more fiscally responsible decision. Take our word for it. Prioritize maintenance.

4 Tips On Maintaining Rental Properties

Maintaining Rental Properties

Article by Clear Content Marketing

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