American Apartment Owners Association

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

In today’s fast-paced rental market, being efficient and organized is the key to running a successful rental operation. Property management software (PMS) has become a must- have for landlords who want to streamline operations, manage their tenants, and maintain organized finances. But with so many property management tools available, how do you choose the right one?

Property Management Software

American Apartment Owners Association

FEBRUARY 10, 2025

Is it fair, or even legal, to charge a pet deposit for an assistance animal? This question often confronts landlords as they deal with the legal landscape concerning the rights of residents with disabilities. Assistance animals, including Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and service animals, play crucial roles in the lives of many. Yet misunderstandings about their legal protections can lead to problematic situations.

Landlord

American Apartment Owners Association

JANUARY 13, 2025

As Southern California faces one of its most devastating fire seasons in recent history, the rental housing market in Los Angeles has seen troubling trends. Thousands of families displaced by the fires are struggling to find housing, and in some cases, rents are spiking alarmingly in areas affected by the destruction. A recent investigation revealed a Bel Air home listed at $29,500 per monthnearly double its September price of $15,900.

Attorney

American Apartment Owners Association

MAY 29, 2025

Increasing the value of your home can be tricky, especially with so many new technologies hitting the market on a regular basis. The trends come and go, while tenants are becoming more demanding in terms of house appliances and smart technologies that should be installed inside your apartment. While you shouldn’t follow all possible tech trends and turn your apartment into a rental from the future, some upgrades might substantially boost the value of the place you own.

Apartment

American Apartment Owners Association

MAY 16, 2025

When the Fair Housing Act (FHA) comes up, the conversation typically centers around leasing, advertising, or resident interactions. But an often-overlooked aspect is how maintenance services, including unit repairs, are handled. While the FHA doesnt directly reference repairs or maintenance, it clearly prohibits discrimination in the delivery of housing-related services.

Maintenance

American Apartment Owners Association

APRIL 16, 2025

When recession fears rise, budget cuts often followand education directors are being asked to make hard choices. Training programs frequently top the list of cuts, especially those perceived as non-essential or deferrable. At first glance, trimming fair housing training may seem like a logical decision. But beneath the surface, that cut often becomes a costly shiftmoving risk and liability into a companys blind spot.

Compliance

American Apartment Owners Association

JANUARY 27, 2025

Because of their capacity to improve an investors cash flow, generate multiple streams of income and boost their net operating income (NOI), multifamily properties are a popular type of real estate investment. Multifamily refers to properties, such as apartment complexes, condominiums, townhouses, semi-detached units and duplexes, all of which offer multiple spaces for rent.

Property

American Apartment Owners Association

MARCH 20, 2025

What is AB 2747? AB 2747 is a California rent law designed to make Rent Reporting more accessible, helping Renters build credit while setting clear guidelines for Landlords. Rent is one of the largest recurring expenses for most people, yet it has historically not been reflected in credit scores. This law aims to change that by allowing Renters to strengthen their credit profiles through on-time rent payments.

Landlord

American Apartment Owners Association

MARCH 4, 2025

In today’s market, the kitchen and bathroom design, look, and feel are major contributors and factors in renting and buying decisions. With more and more renters turning to class B and C properties , its never been more important for property owners and managers to stand out from the competition and keep vacancies to a minimum. Whether youre thinking of remodeling a single unit or a whole block of units, there is no better solution than preassembled kitchen countertops and cabinets.

Apartment

American Apartment Owners Association

JUNE 30, 2025

Exterior Elevated Element (EEE) inspections are a vital part of keeping California multi-family buildings safe and compliant under SB721 (for apartments) and SB326 (for condominiums and HOAs). Yet, we encounter the same misunderstandings over and over among landlords, property managers, and homeowners. Here are three of the most common—and most dangerous—misconceptions about EEE inspections. 1. “Only visible surfaces need to be checked.” Many building owners assume that if the visibl

Multi-Family Building

American Apartment Owners Association

JUNE 12, 2025

California landlords, HOAs, and property managers — are you ready for the upcoming compliance deadlines tied to Senate Bills 721 and 326? Starting January 1, 2025, all qualifying properties must complete required inspections of balconies and other exterior elevated elements (EEEs). Noncompliance could result in civil penalties, insurance complications, or tenant safety risks — yet many owners still aren’t sure where to begin.

Compliance

American Apartment Owners Association

JUNE 13, 2025

This article was provided by Mike Holmes Protection. To find out more on home warranties Click Here Owning investment property can be both rewarding and challenging. From securing reliable tenants to ensuring consistent income, property owners must also contend with the inevitable wear and tear on appliances and systems. Amid these ongoing responsibilities, one tool that often gets overlooked is the home warranty.

Property

American Apartment Owners Association

JANUARY 29, 2025

As 2025 begins, many people are taking the opportunity to start the new year on the right foot. For some, this may mean working out more often or starting a new hobby, but for otherslandlords and property managersit means organizing finances and preparing for the upcoming tax season. As January comes to a close and tax season creeps closer, you may be searching for a solution to help you organize your rental business financial records and file all the important tax reports.

Landlord

American Apartment Owners Association

JULY 14, 2025

What is SB326 for HOAs and Community Boards? In California, Senate Bill 326 (SB326) is transforming how Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and community boards manage the safety and maintenance of multi-family residential properties. Passed into law in 2019, this legislation directly addresses the structural integrity of elevated exterior elements—most commonly balconies, decks, walkways, and stairways—used by multiple families in condominium buildings.

Condominium

American Apartment Owners Association

MAY 29, 2025

Californias rental market just changed AB 2801 is now law. From today forward, every landlord must create and share clear photographic evidence of a units condition at move-in, move-out, and before/after repairs. Tenants now have the legal rightand strong motivationto keep their own records, too. Yet with endless photos, mismatched timestamps, and clunky file sharing, simple documentation can spiral into chaos.

Compliance

American Apartment Owners Association

APRIL 16, 2025

Choosing between repairing or replacing an HVAC system in an apartment can be challenging. Factors such as the age of the unit, repair costs, energy efficiency, and long-term savings must be considered. By making the right decision, you can ensure comfort, cost-effectiveness, and improved indoor air quality for your apartment. Read on to learn how to decide whats best for your apartment.

Apartment

American Apartment Owners Association

MARCH 31, 2025

Pursuing a career in real estate doesnt always mean becoming a realtor or selling homes. One lesser-known yet promising avenue is working with Real Estate Investment Trusts, commonly known as REITs. These companies provide a way for individuals to invest in real estate without directly managing properties. If youre asking yourself, “Are real estate investment trusts a good career path?

Real Estate

American Apartment Owners Association

FEBRUARY 4, 2025

Motorhomes have been the embodiment of freedom and adventure for a long time, whereby one can travel around without any limitations typical with regular vacations. For landlords and property managers, these versatile vehicles can be an enticing option to diversify short-term rental offerings. You can offer an immersive experience, pairing comfort and mobility instead of just providing a static place to stay.

Property Management

American Apartment Owners Association

JULY 3, 2025

DAPHNE, Ala. (WALA) – Baldwin County deputies have arrested a couple they said defrauded homeowners out of tens of thousands of dollars in rent by refusing to pay. Investigators say they would eventually move but only after multiple eviction orders and would then do it all over again at their next residence. Investigators said when the couple would see a negative report to the credit bureaus from previous landlords, they would challenge it, saying it was a mistake and not them.

Rent

American Apartment Owners Association

JANUARY 22, 2025

Real estate continues to be one of the most popular investment opportunities for generating income and building long-term wealth. No matter if youre an independent landlord renting out a single-family home, a multifamily property owner managing multiple units, or a realtor expanding in property management, launching a real estate business is typically accompanied by unique legal challenges.

Real Estate

American Apartment Owners Association

APRIL 3, 2025

From tracking rent payments and expenses to handling invoices and bank reconciliation, your accounting practices can make or break your efficiency. Lets dive into four essential practicesautomated payables, pre-set approval rules, batch management, and bank reconciliationto see if you are making your business easier or harder. Automated Payables: Are You Avoiding Late Payments and Errors?

Maintenance

American Apartment Owners Association

JULY 21, 2025

As of now, California’s AB 2801 law is in effect, fundamentally changing the way landlords and tenants document rental property conditions. The law mandates clear photographic evidence at move-in, move-out, and before and after any repairs—placing new responsibilities on both landlords and tenants for security deposit. DepositProof: The Simple Solution to AB 2801 Compliance DepositProof was designed specifically to meet the needs of tenants, landlords, and inspection professionals navigati

Compliance

American Apartment Owners Association

APRIL 30, 2025

Managing properties whether its a few rental units or a growing portfolio takes a lot of time, organization and resources. As your business grows, you might start feeling stretched thin, spending more time on admin work and less time actually growing revenue or providing value to your clients. Thats when property management software stops being a “nice to have” and becomes a must-have.

Property Management Software

American Apartment Owners Association

MARCH 3, 2025

At a time when the capabilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) continue to grow each day, it is more important than ever to depend on your own reliable resources to qualify a new tenant. Application fraud has become easy for anyone with internet access and a basic knowledge of how to use AI, thus turning the Information Age into the Age of Deception.

Applicants

American Apartment Owners Association

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

In recent years, tiny homes have become a popular alternative to the traditionally large American-style home and a viable way to provide shelter within a small space. The structures have been used by those trying to downsize and as short-term rentals, disaster relief housing and homeless relief housing. Some tiny homes are actually found in trees. Although many people consider a house up to 600 square feet to be a tiny home, the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) Appendix AQ, stated that

Landlord

American Apartment Owners Association

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

Californias balcony inspection laws, SB721 and SB326 , are reshaping how property owners and HOAs approach building safety. The deadline for SB 326, which applies to condominiums and HOA-managed properties, has officially passed. If your association hasnt yet completed inspections, you are now out of compliance, potentially exposing yourself to serious liability and fines.

Compliance

American Apartment Owners Association

JUNE 5, 2025

AAOA is thrilled to introduce its partnership with Synergetic Communication Inc. (“Syncom”) to enhance Debt Collection Recovery Services for our valued members. As a full-service collection agency headquartered in Houston, Texas, Syncom brings over 29 years of industry expertise, holding licenses to operate in all 50 states. Their commitment to compliance, efficiency, and exceptional service ensures clients benefit from reduced operating expenses, increased cash flow, and improved cu

License

American Apartment Owners Association

APRIL 28, 2025

AB 2801 , now active in California, is a security deposit law that changes the way landlords must handle security deposit documentation. The law requires property owners to: Provide itemized lists of deductions to tenants after move-out Include supporting documentation , such as receipts and photos Ensure all communication and documentation is shared in a timely, legally compliant format These rules are designed to protect tenants , but they also create a major shift in how landlords manage thei

Landlord

American Apartment Owners Association

APRIL 14, 2025

Managing inspections shouldnt feel like juggling paperwork and chasing signatures. Yet many teams still rely on outdated tools like clipboards, spreadsheets, or disjointed apps. The result? Missed deadlines, inconsistent records, and non-compliance risks. Thats why Repolet was builtto digitize and simplify the entire inspection process in one platform.

Management

American Apartment Owners Association

JUNE 20, 2025

After nearly a month, the Eaton and Palisades wildfires that ravaged California have been contained. But for Southern California and state agencies, another challenge lies ahead: helping people find homes. The wildfires levied significant long-term damage, with thousands of homes destroyed, billions in damages and a worsening of the state’s housing and homelessness crises.

Insurance

American Apartment Owners Association

MAY 8, 2025

You are invited to attend one of the most important educational events of the year for California property owners, landlords, and property managers. The 2025 California Property Law Compliance Webinar will provide critical updates on new regulations that take effect throughout 2025 and into 2026. These changes impact rental operations, tenant rights, safety compliance, and local ordinancesand failure to comply can result in significant financial penalties.

Compliance

American Apartment Owners Association

APRIL 15, 2025

Its time to evolvefrom the familiar comfort of single-family rentals to the dynamic, high-reward world of multi-housing complexes. Transitioning your mindset isnt just about buying a larger buildingits a complete paradigm shift. Just in case you are unaware, a paradigm (pronounced pair-uh-dime) is simply the way you usually think about something. Changing your way of thinking about a subject is a paradigm shift.

Single-Family Home

American Apartment Owners Association

APRIL 15, 2025

Written by Jason Malabute , CPA As a real estate investor or professional, you know that every dollar matters. Thats why its important to be aware of a little-known IRS deadline that could impact your bottom line: the Refund Statute Expiration Date (RSED). This is the last day you or your clients can claim a refund or credit for overpaid taxes. Many investors overpay throughout the yearwhether through estimated tax payments, withholding, or simply not claiming all the deductions and credits they

Single-Family Home

American Apartment Owners Association

JUNE 25, 2025

The choice of a good HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system is not a trivial choice as far as comfort, energy levels, and energy costs of homes and businesses over the long run are concerned. There are many alternatives in the market, and more attention has been given to the use of environmentally friendly technology, to identify the most appropriate one, it is necessary to understand the kind of your requirement, the type of systems you can adopt, HVAC system maintenance, and

Maintenance

American Apartment Owners Association

JUNE 25, 2025

Getting poured rubber flooring installed isn’t something you decide on a whim. It could be for a park, a gym, or a walking path. No matter the setting, you want it done right. This isn’t a job where you can cut corners — you need someone who knows what they’re doing. But how do you find that person? What separates a solid professional from someone just winging it?

Contractors

American Apartment Owners Association

APRIL 21, 2025

Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs , have exploded in popularity across California. With changing laws, rising housing costs, and the need for more flexible living spaces, ADUs are helping homeowners unlock the full value of their property. Whether used as: A rental unit for passive income A home office or creative studio Housing for aging parents or adult children A private guest house for family and friends ADUs offer both personal and financial freedom.

Contractors

American Apartment Owners Association

APRIL 8, 2025

Looking for a commercial HVAC contractor? There are so many to choose from. Below, we are going to show you some things to consider when youre choosing your commercial HVAC service company to help you narrow your choices down. Assessing Qualifications and Credentials Before you choose a commercial HVAC contractor, make sure that you ask them to show you their certifications and licenses.

Contractors