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Landlord LPA Newsletter - 6 Landlord Traps

The LPA Newsletter May 8, 2012

Dear Fellow Landlord,

In this newsletter:

  • The 6 Biggest Landlord Traps
  • Landlord Mini Quiz (True or False)
  • Ask the Attorney, Real Estate Attorney, John Reno
  • Rent Excuses

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

"It is better to have NO tenant than it is to have a bad tenant." - John Nuzzolese

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The 6 Biggest LANDLORD TRAPS!

Even landlords who have been around for a long time have fallen into these common landlord traps.

1. Improper Screening

"95% of tenant problems can be eliminated in the screening process."

Landlord TrapsBelieve it or not, many landlords still are very trusting and comfortable with a basic application if any or a handshake. The eviction courts are full of landlords who like to trust their 'gut' feeling.

The Landlord Protection Agency highly recommends you use our rental application or another comparable application. Applications are powerful screening tools when you verify the information that they contain.

2. Advertising

Do you really have to spend a lot of money?

When you list your rental with an experienced, landlord oriented real estate agent, (preferably a member of The Landlord Protection Agency, your advertising should be included with the service. If you are not using an agent to rent your property, you can advertise very inexpensively or FREE through TheLPA.com's Rentals Available listings and Craigslist....

Click here to read the full article.


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Landlord Quick True or False Quiz

  1. It is illegal to rent out a house without a rental permit from the town.
    True or False

  2. A lease can continue to be enforceable even after it expires.
    True or False

  3. It is illegal for an owner to discriminate against bad credit.
    True or False

  4. A tenant who assigns a lease to another remains liable for the rent.
    True or False

  5. The maximum number of people in a house is 12.
    True or False

  6. Failure to pay rent does not automatically constitute termination of the tenant's lease.
    True or False

For answers and more test questions, click here...
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Ask the Attorney

The Landlord Protection AgencyThe 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:
As single home landlord in California, I am wondering if I am able to use the "right of entry" during evenings and weekends with a 24-hour notice? My tenant has moved the majority of her stuff out (beds and furniture) and has until the 14th for her occupancy. She also works varied hours as an ER nurse. She used email to give her notice in which I accepted. Am I allowed to use email as the source of notice of entry - especially since she may not be at our rental regularly? If so, is she required to respond to the email?

My tenant has not kept the home in "show" condition as stated in lease. They house is in disarray. The landscaping is not upkept as stated in lease which includes HOA. Is there anything I can do about obstruction of business? Should I give her a notice of violation of lease? If I decide to do the landscaping myself before she moves out, can I deduct it from the deposit?

The carpets look like they will need to be replaced due to plants directly laying on carpet and a waterbed left severe imprints in the carpet.If the carpet needs to be replaced, it will cost more than her security deposit.

Otherwise, she has been a good tenant for 2.5 years and paid on time. She has requested a preliminary inspection on the 9th.
Thanks, - Liz G., CA

A: As far as "right of entry" you can use it but only if the tenant lets you. Welcome to the real world. Anyway, you & Ms. tenant sound like you're headed for small claims court in a security deposit dispute. Buy your rug, do your landscaping, keep your receipts and plan on getting about half of what you ask for.

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.

Read more from John Reno, Eviction Attorney



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FREE Tenant Credit Reporting
(LPA Members Only)

Tenant Reporting

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


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Quick Check Credit Reports, Inc.

If you haven't already, please take the opportunity to sign up for The LPA's Quick Check Credit Reports! Quick Check is a simple, fast way to access online credit reports while saving you money!

Special Tenant Screening Discounts for LPA members. See our price list!



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A Tenant Screening Alternative...

TransUnion SmartMove Discounted For LPA Members!

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.) ...

Click here for TransUnion SmartMove Discounted For LPA Members!



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$5 OFF EACH SIGN WITH CODE: LPA5
Interactive 'For Rent' Signs

by 4RentSigns.com

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 ...

Click for the full article









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"Where's the Rent?!" Excuses

"I'm withholding it for your own good. You know you're going to spend it on fast food. If I don't pay the rent, maybe you'll lose some weight!"
This was the last straw. To eviction court and out he goes! - Bruce, S.C.

"I’m sorry, my dealer raised his prices again, you know how it goes."
No, I don’t know how it goes, but here's your eviction letter for violating drug policies. - Chris, Tucson, Arizona

"You know I don't have the money. If you harrass me one more time, I'm leaving."
They are behind more than a month. I don't think it is harrassment. I hope they do leave because I'm ready to hire a lawyer. - Angie H., Mission Viejo, CA

"Don't worry I'll have it soon. My aunt who slipped in the store is going to be collecting on her lawsuit."
Her aunt has been in and out of jail many times. Can you say EVICTION? - Samantha C., Orlando, FL

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Did You Know...?
If you ordered any LPA forms in the past 60 days, the LPA will credit back to you the cost of those orders when you email us your new LPA Membership order #.

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LPA Membership Expiring?
Take Advantage of our low Renewal Prices!

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


*Your Membership Expired? No Problem!



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