Landlord Newsletter April 3, 2012

Dear Fellow Landlord,

In this newsletter:

• Understanding Credit Bureau Site Inspections
  
• Free Rental Form
  
• Ask the Attorney, Real Estate Attorney, John Reno
  
• TransUnion SmartMove with The LPA
  
• Wealth Secrets and Quotes
  

Please e-mail us if you have any questions or would like to add or share any material / information. Have a great month!
John Nuzzolese
John@theLPA.com

Site Verifications for Full Credit Reports and Other Options

This may be old news for those who order credit reports on a regular basis, but many landlords are still unfamiliar with the latest credit bureau policies and regulations affecting resellers such as Quick Check Credit Reports and other credit report affiliates of The Landlord Protection Agency. The Credit Bureaus are enforcing stricter regulations concerning private landlord End Users.
The credit bureau regulations require ALL Credit Report Resellers to obtain a Physical Site Inspection on the place of business (home office or commercial location) of ALL End Users (you) with access to credit reports. The Bureaus regularly audit credit report Resellers such as Quick Check to make sure they comply with the high standards of security necessary to protect against Identity Theft and misuse of tenant credit reports. The office of Quick Check Credit Reports has also been inspected by an inspector on behalf of the credit bureaus to ensure strict compliance. Your privacy and the security of your confidential records is a top priority. The server for InstaScreen and Quick Check is a Secured Site with Verizon Cybertrust Security.

TransUnion Credit Bureau has partnered with The Landlord Protection Agency to provide an alternative option in on-line tenant screening. Private landlords who choose to avoid the qualifying process required for establishing a direct access account for credit reports now have another way. TransUnion gives LPA Members discounted access to LPA Members $5.00 lower per report than what TransUnion charges directly.

How does SmartMove work?
SmartMove is used when someone is interested in applying to rent a property. In order to begin the process, the potential renter MUST provide an email address to the landlord. Once the email address has been provided, the process generally goes as follows:

• Landlord initiates a screening request using the email address provided by the applicant. (If the landlord is new to SmartMove, he or she must create an account and add at least 1 property.)
  
• Rental applicant is sent the application request via email and chooses to accept or decline the screening. (If the applicant is new to SmartMove, he or she must create an account in order to accept or decline the request.) ...

The Landlord Protection Agency® presents John Reno, Esq., a highly experienced Landlord - Tenant attorney based on Long Island, NY.

John Reno also does Mortgage Loan Modifications (Nationwide).
(Mention The LPA for a 10% discount!)

Dear Mr. Reno:
Sent a Non-Renewal Rent notice to my tenants on Feb. 28, 2012.
I will be moving back to my Property.
Gave them the 60-day term period to vacate.
They are owing me the rent for March.
CA law states that sec. dep. can be used to pay rent owed or any other fees.
The Security Deposit won't cover the late rent penalty fee of $100 and by using Security Deposit to pay rent I won't be protected if tenants leave the property damaged, it will be difficult to collect.

Called tenants on 3/15/12. They said they will move-out 3/31/12 or 3 days sooner and will pay rent 3/31/12.

What can I do if April comes and they are still there and rent for March is still due?
They always paid rent late during their 2-years tenancy period and each month they had a different excuse for not depositing $ on time.
Please advise. Thanks much.
Nydia, CA

A: This is the age old problem. You may have to evict them. The longer you wait, the longer they'll be there. Get your place back first. Worry about collecting later.

If you have a landlord tenant problem you'd like to ask a question about, please feel free to e-mail me your question.
Submit a landlord / tenant question for Mr. Reno
Please try to keep your questions as short and to the point as possible.

Pre-Screening Prospect Card

This handy prospect card gets you the pre-screening answers that you need to know before deciding whether or not to set an appointment with a prospective tenant.
Be sure to check out The LPA's Pre-screening Tenant Prospect Card html code to insert into online ads like Craigslist or The LPA's Rentals Available.

As a landlord trying to rent out a vacancy, have you ever thought about how backwards the process is? You're the landlord. Why do you become a secretary answering phone calls all day every time you slap a 'For Rent' sign in front of a unit or place a classified ad?

Wouldn't you love to streamline the process ...

Have you ever been beaten by a tenant on the rent? Most of us have and unfortunately, it is one of the costs of doing business as a landlord.
On the brighter side, remedies are available for many. If you have documented your tenancy with the proper paperwork including a rental application, lease agreement, late notices, etc., you may have a chance of collecting.

Credit bureau reporting is an option in which many modern landlords are beginning to participate....

Click here for the full article

Landlord Tip:

"Knowledge is power. The more knowledge, expertise, and connections you have, the easier it is for you to make a profit at the game of your choice." - Stuart Wilde

"When chill winds blow fierce, a friend acts like a torch, guiding you to safety, giving you warmth, comforting you till the storm is over." - Stuart and Linda Macfarlane

"You think you know someone? You don't really know them until they've rented from you." - John@theLPA.com

"Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt

"How much did your last tenant problem cost you?" - John Nuzzolese

How to Check your LPA Membership Expiration Date:

1. Be logged in with your LPA username & password
   
2. On the "Main Menu" (top right), click on "Your Orders" (right below your name)
   
3. The beginning date of your membership will be listed to the left of your membership order # in this format: YYYYMMDD
   

Look-up Associations
Attorneys
Businesses
Rentals Available
Rentals Wanted
Classifieds
Tips & Advice
Realty Brokers
Tenant Histories

Other Areas Q&A Forum
Landlord Tenant Law
Essential Forms
Free Forms
Credit Reports
About Us
Help