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LPA Newsletter - Returning the Security Deposit Do's & Don'ts

The LPA Newsletter December 10, 2014

Dear Fellow Landlord,

In this newsletter:

  • Do's & Don'ts Returning Security
  • Free Form Lease Addendum
  • Ask the Attorney, Real Estate Attorney, John Reno
  • Holiday Coupon Codes
  • Quotes for Success

Please e-mail us if you have any questions or would like to add or share any material / information. Have a great month and an even more successful year ahead.
John Nuzzolese
John@theLPA.com


"If you want to survive as a landlord, you can not run your business from your heart.
You have to run it from the head.
" - Nick Koon, Hard Nose Landlording

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Landlord Do's & Don'ts
Returning the Security Deposit

What The LPA says you should do and shouldn't do:

  • DO wait until the tenant has moved completely out before returning any deposit money.
  • DON'T have a "walk-through" with the tenant before move-out to determine the condition of the rental. Tenants like to do this to reassure themselves that they will get all their security deposit back. Instead of calling it a "walk-through", I like to call it the "AMBUSH" because that's really how it is when you are put on the spot. The tenant is still in possession of the rental and is insisting on getting the full deposit back.

  • DO Obtain the tenant's forwarding address to send any security refunds or bills.
  • DON'T allow the tenant to leave without first giving you a forwarding address. We usually obtain this with the Tenant's Notice to Vacate form.

  • DO Prepare a Security Settlement Statement to send to the tenant as soon as you've assessed the condition of the property and charges against the security deposit.
  • DON'T wait until the tenant calls you demanding the return of the security deposit before sending your prepared settlement package.

  • DO be prepared with your Security Settlement Challenge Crusher letter in case the tenant wants to try to pursue the deposit money.
  • DON'T feel you have to keep explaining the findings to a tenant who doesn't agree with the written settlement.

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    LPA FREE DOWNLOAD
    Free Lease Addendum Form

    Need to Add Additional Terms to Your Lease Agreement?

    Click for More Essential Forms


    to Essential landlord rental forms page to order A Lease Addendum form can be used for making additional information or clauses a part of the lease.

    When meeting with the tenants to do a lease signing, we often think of certain rules or clauses we'd like to add into the lease agreement. Most leases and rental agreements do not provide room for extra lease clauses (unless you are using The LPA Lease Agreement in word processor format)

    The lease addendum form can easily be filled in at the time of lease signing with topics that are important to you that may not be already included in the lease agreement form. It's a handy form to have in your folder if the need arises to add any special clauses to your lease. (LPA members: MS Word and PDF fill-in versions available in Essential Forms!)

    .

    FREE DOWNLOAD

    Lease Addendum Form




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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:
    I have a tenant that has an outstanding warrant for her arrest. She has not paid her rent. I have already given her a 7 day notice to cure her breach for non-payment of rent but have not yet filed formal eviction papers. Would it be considered illegal or coercion if I tell her that it has come to my attention that there is an outstanding warrant for her arrest and that I will be back to inspect the property in 72 hours and if she is still there I will inform the police of where to find her ?
    Thank you,
    Dale, Alabama

    A: Now that's what I call really playing Hard Ball! But is it legal? You are bordering on extortion/Blackmail there. If you say, unless you do whatever, I'll tell the cops you murdered Jim, that's extortion. You're not threatening to expose the tenant to a crime, only to get him arrested on a warrant. I don't know. For me, it's too close for comfort. (But that doesn't mean it wont work!)

    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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    Landlord Tip:

    Have proof you have sent written notices.
    I have on many occasions seen tenants deny they received written notices from the landlord. One of the best ways to prove a notice was sent by Certified Mail is to include the Certified Mail Article # on the document and also send a copy by regular mail, and also keep a copy for yourself. Having the article # on the document shows that the notice you sent was the same as the notice you say you sent.
    Just pick up a pile of certified mail postcards and receipt slips so you can prepare them before going to the post office. - The LPA


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    Landlord Success Quotes


    eleanor roosevelt quotes Yogi Berra quotes Thomas Edison quotes Benjamin Franklin success quotes



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

    "Success is often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable." – Coco Chanel

    "I would not want to be a politician... Let me tell you this: If I was campaigning, and I go against my opponent and he started attacking my character, and I leap over the table and choke him unconscious, would that help my campaign?" - Chuck Norris

    "Losers live in the past. Winners learn from the past and enjoy working in the present toward the future." - Denis Waitley

    "How much did your last tenant problem cost you? I expect your LPA Membership and arsenal of Essential Landlord Forms to save you from countless pitfalls and thousands of dollars on tenant related expenses in the coming years!" - John Nuzzolese




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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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    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!

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