Bay Property Management Group

JULY 3, 2025

And then, you see a lease fee. What is a lease fee, and why is it there? Main Takeaways Lease fees cover the administrative work involved in processing applications and preparing rental agreements. Tenants should always ask about the fee’s amount, due date, and refundability before committing to a lease.

Lease

Bay Property Management Group

MARCH 13, 2025

The rent-to-income ratio is a simple, yet powerful, tool that helps landlords gauge financial stability before signing a lease. In this article, well help you understand how to calculate the rent-to-income ratio, why it matters to you as a landlord, and what to do if a tenant doesnt meet the threshold. Heres why: 1.

Landlord

Buildium

APRIL 23, 2025

As a property manager, leasing is always a top priorityafter all, without tenants, theres no income. This means balancing leasing with maintenance, tenant relations, financial management, and legal compliance. Leasing and Property Management: Why It Matters Leasing is the lifeblood of residential property management.

Lease

Real Property Management Evertrust

MAY 26, 2025

Communication is vital in forming a strong relationship between landlords and tenants, as it outlines the responsibilities of both sides. For in-person lease signings, guarantee all paperwork is prepared earlier and that both parties understand the agreement’s terms. The reason for the notice (lease renewal, termination, etc.)

Landlord

American Apartment Owners Association

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

Small homes = big profits Leasing tiny homes is one of the latest trends in the rental business. All of your policies need to be incorporated into your lease. When considering a prospective tenant, remember that AAOA offers industry-leading tenant screening services to help you make the most informed decision possible.

Landlord

Bay Property Management Group

APRIL 8, 2025

Not every rental situation comes with a formal lease. But it does raise a big question: What rights do tenants have without a lease? From understanding tenants at will to knowing how eviction protections and security deposits work, well walk you through the key rights every landlord should know even without anything in writing.

Lease

Rental Housing Journal

JULY 28, 2025

One often-overlooked but crucial aspect of property management for landlords is the power of knowing the neighbors of the properties you own. For landlords, it can be paralyzing. As a landlord, managing properties isn’t just about collecting rent and maintaining the structure; it’s also about fostering a sense of community.

Landlord

Bay Property Management Group

JULY 2, 2025

When most people hear the word lease, they assume it means something long-term. After all, isn’t every lease fixed? In real estate, there are two main types of leases: fixed-term and month-to-month (also called periodic leases). Today, we’re focusing on fixed-term leases — the ones that lock in a set start and end date.

Lease

Bay Property Management Group

FEBRUARY 4, 2025

And can a landlord break a rent-to-own contract? Understanding Rent-To-Own Contracts When you enter a rent-to-own agreement, youre essentially signing two deals in one: A regular lease agreement with the plan to buy the property at the end of the lease. Can a Landlord Break a Rent-to-own Contract?

Rent

American Apartment Owners Association

JANUARY 29, 2025

Why Rental Property Accounting Software is Important for Landlords Before you can understand why real estate accounting software is important, you must first understand what it is. Confusing or stressful tax reports are easy to manage with important information prepared ahead of time.

Landlord

Buildium

MARCH 19, 2025

When it comes to renting a property, one the most important services that all landlords should offer their tenants is the ability to make online rent payments. With an online system, payments automatically record, saving landlords hours of manual work.

Landlord

Real Property Management Chicago

JULY 3, 2025

As part of the application process, it is vital to gather personal and professional references from prospective tenants along with previous landlords. Both assessments are relatively normal in rental markets nationwide, but some property owners and managers still overlook this opportunity to learn valuable information about their renters.

Tenant

Bay Property Management Group

MARCH 17, 2025

But with your lease coming to an end, youre now at a crossroads, wondering how to renew lease agreements and secure your home for another term. Main Takeaways Start the conversation earlyat least 60-90 days before your lease endsso you have time to negotiate and explore other options. What is Lease Renewal?

Lease Agreement

Buildium

MARCH 19, 2025

As a landlord, attracting reliable tenants is one of the most important aspects of managing your rental property. Social Media Marketing Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest allow landlords to showcase their properties in a visual format. Use high-quality images and videos to highlight key features.

Rental Property

Buildium

MARCH 19, 2025

Note: This guide is intended to provide general information on rental property tax accounting. If youre a landlord, understanding tax accounting for rental property is a surefire way to get save bookkeeping time while getting most return for your investment. Rental income includes all the payments you receive from tenants.

Rental Property Management

MRI Software

FEBRUARY 11, 2025

Lease audits play a crucial role in ensuring accuracy and efficiency in multifamily property management. They help landlords uncover discrepancies, verify compliance with lease terms, and maintain better financial control over their property. What is the purpose of lease audits?

Lease

American Apartment Owners Association

JULY 3, 2025

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. I know the landlord. Both have been charged with Theft by Fraudulent Renting or Leasing…a Class-C felony. I never would have guessed,” Alex Hendricks said.

Rent

Real Property Management Evertrust

JULY 17, 2025

This deposit isn’t similar to rent; it is held in a separate account by your landlord. The goal of a security deposit is to protect the landlord from financial problems in the event of property damage or other expenses. Before you sign your lease, remember to ask your landlord about any fees you might have to pay.

Utilities

Bay Property Management Group

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

Imagine going through the long process of renting a place, only to find out your landlord has policies about who can visit. So, can a landlord tell you who can be at your house? However, for the landlord, its also their investment. Can a landlord tell you who can be at your house because of this? Its a tricky situation.

Landlord

Bay Property Management Group

JULY 4, 2025

Main Takeaways A rent ledger is a document that tracks all rent payments, including amounts, dates, and methods, providing a clear financial overview for landlords. It serves as crucial proof in case of disputes or evictions , simplifies tax preparation, and helps landlords stay organized and plan effectively.

Rent

Bay Property Management Group

MARCH 28, 2025

Landlords and property managers use them to decide who gets approved, but what exactly are they looking for? In this guide, we’ll break down how apartment background checks work, why theyre important, and what landlords check before they hand over the keys. Lets dive in! How Extensive Are Background Checks for Apartments?

Apartment

Buildium

JULY 16, 2025

Expand Knowledge and Build Skills Certification programs cover topics such as fair housing laws, leasing strategies, maintenance oversight, financial management, and tenant relations. Certification programs emphasize legal compliance and ethical standards to keep you informed.

Apartment Management

American Apartment Owners Association

JANUARY 27, 2025

Review financial statements The seller should provide you with detailed financial information, including income and expense records, to verify the property’s profitability.The cap rate (net operating income divided by purchase price) evaluates the yield of a property over one year.

Property

Bay Property Management Group

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

As a landlord, you need to be prepared. Thats why, as a landlord, its a best practice to encourage your tenants to have insurance. Prepare for possible legal action If the injury is serious, the person may take legal action, especially if they believe the landlord was at fault. Having a paper trail can protect you.

Rental Property

Buildium

JULY 30, 2025

Before breaking into a new market, research its local landlord-tenant regulations, rent control laws, eviction policies, licensing requirements, and other relevant restrictions. Attend local networking events and join local property management or landlord associations. Not sure where to find them?

Property Management

Bay Property Management Group

MAY 16, 2025

Youre stepping into independence bills, leases, your own set of keys. Understand the Lease: Read the fine print it protects you. Proof of income Most landlords want to see that you can afford the rent. But when youre apartment hunting, its one of the first things landlords look at to decide if youre a qualified tenant.

Apartment

Bay Property Management Group

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

More importantly, what factors influence it, and how can you avoid common mistakes that many landlords make? Monitoring this metric helps landlords assess their propertys competitiveness and make strategic adjustments. Landlords should stay informed about market trends and set competitive rent prices to minimize vacancies.

Landlord

Rental Housing Journal

JULY 15, 2025

Immigration authorities have issued subpoenas demanding that landlords turn over leases, rental applications, forwarding addresses, identification cards and other information on their tenants, according to the Associated Press. A rental application can include work history, marital status and family relationships.

Landlord

American Apartment Owners Association

JUNE 18, 2025

Introducing new staff to the realities of property management goes beyond reviewing lease terms and daily operations. Recognizing Hoarding as a Potential Disability In the property management setting, hoarding may first present as a lease violation.

Compliance

BetterWho

MARCH 28, 2025

AI-Powered Tenant Communication AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can handle tenant inquiries 24/7 , instantly providing lease details, answering maintenance questions, and processing service requests. How RTMs Support Property Management: Administrative Support: Handling lease agreements, tenant screening, and compliance tasks.

Property Management

Bay Property Management Group

MAY 21, 2025

But leases can be long, landlord policies can feel confusing, and sometimes its hard to tell whats legally correct from whats just how things are usually done. Read alongweve broken it all down in simple, relatable terms to help you feel more confident and informed as a tenant. These laws exist to protect renters like you.

Tenant

Bay Property Management Group

JULY 11, 2025

Understanding property ownership is useful for lease clarity, maintenance issues, verifying legitimate owners, and it’s generally legal to research this public information. What’s more, most offices provide this information free or for a small fee. They can pull up ownership details.

Property

Bay Property Management Group

JUNE 12, 2025

This guide covers what every landlord and tenant should know about cockroaches in an apartment: why they show up, how to get rid of them effectively, and what the law says about who’s responsible for what. Landlords must address widespread infestations, hire professional exterminators, and ensure buildings remain pest-free.

Apartment

Bay Property Management Group

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

Thats why landlords often ask for pet depositsto protect their property in the event Fido goes a little too far. Pet deposits are basically a landlord’s safety net, a form of informal “insurance.” Once the dust settles and your lease has finished, are pet deposits refundable? What Are Pet Deposits?

Lease Agreement

Bay Property Management Group

JANUARY 29, 2025

Main Takeaways To know if utilities are included in the rent, your answer is simple: look at your lease (and local laws). How to Verify If Utilities Are Included in Rent on Your Lease To verify if utilities are included in your rent, there’s one definitive place you should look: your lease. It’s a staple.

Utilities

Muldoon Associates

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

What does it take to become a stress-free landlord? How can you not feel a little bit stressed when youre leasing, managing, and maintaining a Colorado Springs rental property ? If you’re looking to automate leasing and modernize your property management approach, this is a good way to start. Maybe it seems impossible.

Rental Property

Buildium

MAY 29, 2025

You can: Snap and upload inspection photos Record notes with voice-to-text Store lease agreements securely Share documents with owners or tenants instantly No more chasing paper trails or digging through emails. If you lose signal, can you still access key information? Some apps allow tenants to pay through a mobile portal.

Property Management