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.

Landlord

Buildium

MARCH 20, 2025

Managing rental properties comes with plenty of moving partscollecting rent, handling maintenance requests, keeping up with leases, and tracking finances, to name a few. Weve outlined key features that can help independent landlords become more organized and tackle property management tasks more efficiently.

Property Management Software

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

American Apartment Owners Association

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

Small homes = big profits Leasing tiny homes is one of the latest trends in the rental business. They have proven to be a good venture, especially for first-time investors. Tiny houses range in price from just $30,000 to $60,000 to purchase and are expected to last up to 50 years depending on the quality of materials and construction.

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

Bay Property Management Group

JULY 16, 2025

Some people sublet their units, others turn them into short-term rentals, and then there’s one you might not have heard of yet—a master lease. So, what exactly is a master lease in real estate? What Is a Master Lease in Real Estate? But the actual ownership stays with the landlord. How Does a Master Lease Work?

Real Estate

Bay Property Management Group

APRIL 4, 2025

Acquiring property without buying it outright sounds too good to be trueuntil you learn about ground leases. For investors looking to build without spending millions on land, or landlords who want a more passive investment, this kind of lease could be the golden ticket. Main Takeaways What is a ground lease?

Lease

Buildium

JUNE 26, 2025

Collecting a traditional security deposit has always just been a part of the leasing process. Security deposit alternatives are financial programs that replace the traditional lump-sum deposit with a more flexible option—usually smaller monthly payments spread out over the lease term. What Are Security Deposit Alternatives?

Tenant

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. Avoid colloquialisms and adhere to proper grammar.

Landlord

American Apartment Owners Association

MARCH 20, 2025

AB 2747 is a California rent law designed to make Rent Reporting more accessible, helping Renters build credit while setting clear guidelines for Landlords. For Landlords, offeringRent Reportingcan encourage on-time payments and attract responsible Tenants. This information must include: The cost to the Tenant, if any.

Landlord

Bay Property Management Group

JUNE 24, 2025

So, how often must landlords repair damaged window screens? This guide will help you determine when it’s the landlord’s responsibility to fix them and when it might fall to the tenant. Main Takeaways How often must landlords repair damaged window screens? Main Takeaways How often must landlords repair damaged window screens?

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

Real Property Management Chicago

JUNE 6, 2025

Lease renewals and rent adjustments are one of the most challenging aspects of property management. As a result, it’s crucial to understand how to handle lease renewals and rent adjustments reasonably to make long-term profitability. What’s the Best Way to Handle Lease Renewals?

Lease

Real Property Management Evertrust

JULY 4, 2025

Higher rental prices and faster leasing times. Opportunity to present flexible lease terms to draw in renters. If you have leases coming up for renewal in the fall or winter months, try offering incentives to your current residents to renew. College students and job relocations bring about heightened activity.

Landlord

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

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

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

But sometimes, without even realizing it, you might break a lease rule that could get you in trouble or, worse, evicted. So, what is a lease violation, and how can you avoid making one? What Is a Lease Violation? What Is a Lease Violation? Lets break it down below.

Lease

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

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. As part of the application process, it is vital to gather personal and professional references from prospective tenants along with previous landlords.

Tenant

RL Property Management

MARCH 25, 2025

If youre a DIY landlord trying to save time or cut corners, heres some advice: DONT. Because even small screening and lease agreement mistakes can cost you thousands in lost rent, legal fees, and property damage, not to mention time, stress, and lost sleep. This is where many landlords slip. Then someone messages you.

Lease Agreement

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. They would rent the place.

Rent

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

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. Consider the type of property you own.

Rental Property

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. But which option is the best landlord accounting software for you? So, what is property management accounting software and why should you use it?

Landlord

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

Bay Property Management Group

APRIL 3, 2025

You may have missed a rent payment or violated your lease, and now the issue has escalated. Your landlord has served you with a notice to quit, and you don’t know what in the world you should do. So, in this article, well break down what a notice to quit in PA is, when landlords can issue one, and what happens after its served.

Landlord

MRI Software

AUGUST 1, 2025

What we didn’t anticipate was an essential lease disappearing into thin air. But among the neatly stacked files, one crucial lease was nowhere to be found. A quick call to the landlord should clear things up, we thought. But the landlord, equally surprised, couldn’t produce a signed copy either.

Lease

Buildium

MARCH 19, 2025

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. This isn’t just limited to the monthly rent; it also encompasses other payments such as advance rent, security deposits, and lease cancellation fees.

Rental Property Management

Bay Property Management Group

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

Now you’re wondering: How long does a landlord have to replace a refrigerator and other appliances? In turn, your laws will outline how long your landlord has to handle an emergency. How Long Does a Landlord Have to Replace a Refrigerator? Also, it should state how long the landlord has for such repairs in the lease.

Landlord

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

JUNE 18, 2025

And in many places, it’s not just annoying… it could be a lease violation. They’re often included in lease agreements and backed by local noise ordinances. Yes, they are, especially when the landlord outlines them in the lease agreement. That’s where apartment quiet hour rules come in.

Apartment

American Apartment Owners Association

JUNE 20, 2025

Most landlords encounter the same breakdowns repeatedly. Successful landlords stay proactive. Many landlords clear the drain or tighten connections. HVAC Systems: Seasonal Breakdown Patterns HVAC systems stand out for serious landlord headaches. You can’t control that. Only knowing the basics isn’t enough, though.

Landlord

American Apartment Owners Association

JULY 31, 2025

In a ruling that could reshape how landlords approach late rent fees, the Kansas Supreme Court last week upheld a district court’s decision requiring a tenant to pay over $21,000 in late fees for missed rent payments dating back to 2020. Foster had rented a single-family home from landlord John Schutt starting in 2018 for $1,900 per month.

Tenant

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

AUGUST 1, 2025

For a long time, landlords held most of the power. Landlords must provide safe, clean, and habitable housing with working utilities, and they must make necessary repairs promptly. Landlords cannot discriminate against tenants based on certain personal characteristics they have. Let’s walk through it. The law is on your side.

Tenant

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. One tool that can help?

Rent

Bay Property Management Group

JANUARY 19, 2025

In simplest terms, prorated rent generally refers to a rent amount the landlord adjusts according to how many days you’ve lived in an apartment. Some local laws require landlords to follow their regulations around prorated rent. However, landlords may also offer it by choice, for their own reasons. What is Prorated Rent?

Rent