The LPA Newsletter,
October 2004
Dear Fellow Landlord,
I just returned from a week on South Florida's west coast and am excited about the many investment opportunities I got to see. From multi-million dollar condos to single family homes asking less than $100,000. There are opportunities for everyone. (Then again, if we look carefully, we can find them wherever we are!)
I hope all of your rentals are running smoothly and I'm sure you will enjoy the articles we have in store for you in this month's LPA Newsletter.
In this issue of The LPA Newsletter:
I'd like to introduce Dan Auito's new real estate book, "Magic Bullets in Real Estate". It has just been released and is now available for landlords everywhere!
Included we have a SPECIAL REPORT called: "How to get FREE CREDIT REPORTS".
And last but not least, the Do's and Don'ts concerning the Rental Application Don't forget, you can earn money with your referrals to TheLPA.com. Our Affiliates self service page is now ready for action. More info later on this page.
Please e-mail us if you have any questions or would like to add or share any material / information. I hope you find this month's newsletter useful and enjoyable. Have a great month!
John Nuzzolese
John@theLPA.com
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Congratulations to Dan Auito on the Release of his new book:
Magic Bullets in Real Estate !
 "Magic Bullets in Real Estate". We've been waiting for the release of this book, and I've just received my copy of it. I have already begun reading it and I am thoroughly enjoying it. If you are a landlord and investor in real estate, you'll enjoy it too. Dan talks straight to the point and will keep your attention for the length of the book.
Visit Dan Auito at his new website: www.MagicBullets.com
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LANDLORD SPECIAL REPORT: #15
How do I ...
Get FREE Credit Reports when screening tenants?By John Nuzzolese
Credit reports have become one of the most essential elements in checking the background of a potential tenant. The days of the handshake rental lease are over. Today, renting to a person without checking his credit is like playing lotto. the odds of winning are against the landlord.
One of the reasons many landlords I have spoken with don't do credit reports is because of the cost of running a credit report. What?! The cost of the credit report?? Well, yes. Believe it or not many people would rather spend thousands of dollars in lost rent and legal fees, renovation and aggravation than the cost of a $12.00 credit report because they feel lucky.
Then again, there are those of us who know the risks are heavily slanted against us and will not rent without a full credit and background check on the potenial tenant. We know that it is better to spend a small amount of money on the screening process rather than wanting to kick ourselves in the rear when the tenant burns us.
You may be thinking, "yeah, I know all that, but the title of this article says "FREE CREDIT REPORTS" in it and that's why I'm reading it." Well OK. That's what I'll talk about.
There are 2 types of Free Credit Reports I'd like to tell you about.
First, let me tell you about the special deal Experian and the other major credit bureaus offer you. Anybody can get a copy of his or her own credit report for FREE. See below:
Free Credit Report & Score from Experian
Some landlords will require the potential tenant to obtain a free credit report on themselves to submit along with their rental application.
Many landlords ask me, "Do I need the tenant to sign something in order for me to get a credit report?" The answer is yes. It is illegal to obtain a credit report on another individual without that person's written permission.
That is why The LPA Rental Application is what I always use. It provides the correct legal language that allows tha landlord or his agent to obtain a credit report from any of the major credit bureaus.
Now, I'd like to tell you about the other kind of "Free Credit Report". This is the kind I always get. Years ago, I subscribed to AMSties Credit Bureau. That's the same credit bureau we have on The LPA website. I feel the credit reports I buy from AMSties are FREE because, my LPA Rental Application provides for a screening fee. I charge the applicant $25. per adult. Then, after verifying that the references and employment information on the rental application check out, I order the credit report which is usually faxed to me about 30 minutes later. Did I pay for the credit report? Well it's on my bill, but the tenant gave me the money to pay it. So I consider it a FREE CREDIT REPORT ! And that is what I recommend other landlords do too. Charge a screening fee. Use the LPA Rental Application if you don't already.
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Copyright © 2004 The Landlord Protection Agency, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Landlord Do's & Don'ts
The Rental Application
What The LPA says you should do and what you shouldn't do:
DO Give the potential tenant a copy of his signed rental application after he has applied for your rental. It contains a commitment to rent and landlord protection wording to allow you to keep the deposit if the tenant breaks his commitment.
DON'T rent to anyone without first obtaining a credit report and references.
Use the LPA Rental Application.
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Rent Excuses...
Excuse of the Day for 10/09/04:
"My motorcycle is in the shop. I won't be able to pay you till next week." Here's your late notice. Don't forget to pay the late fee. - Submitted by Jack Klein
Excuse of the Day for 10/07/04:
"What is it with you? Every month you always call me asking for the rent!" What is it with you? Every month you are late with the rent! Pay me. - Submitted by Martina K., OH
Excuse of the Day for 10/03/04:
"The Cable TV is broken. I'm not renting any apartment that doesn't have cable!." The cable TV is not "broken" , it has been turned off for non-payment. Since it is in your (the tenant's) name, you should pay the bill and have it restored. - Submitted by Louie C., NY
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Quotations...
"Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain - and most fools do."
- Dale Carnegie
"Service is the rent I pay for my room here on Earth."
- Muhammed Ali
"Show me the company you keep and I'll tell you who you are."
- Muhammed Ali
"How much did your last tenant problem cost you?"
- John Nuzzolese
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Make money as an authorized LPA Affiliate!
 Earn a 10% commission on all
orders placed with The Landlord Protection Agency by customers that you
refer to us!
You get paid for each order placed through your specially coded internet address for The LPA site!
How many landlords do you know?
Join The LPA Affiliate
Program!
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