Home Management & Maintenance

Management & Maintenance

This department of Rental Housing Journal is your source for property management and maintenance information. Whether you’re an independent landlord, portfolio manager, on-site community manager, leasing agent or apartment maintenance professional, the site is dedicated to bringing tips, best practices and information to help make your job easier and keep you up to date and educated.

Resident experience is key says a new report from property management software company AppFolio in its annual Renter Preferences Report

Resident Experience Is Engine For Growth Report Says

Resident experience is key according to a new report from property technology company AppFolio which has released its annual Renter Preferences Report, which surveyed over 3,000 renters across the U.S. The report shows the top...
Smarter pet management keeps renters, protects income with pet-friendly policies and becomes a part of operational strategy in multifamily

How Smarter Pet Management Wins Renters, Protects Income

Smarter pet management keeps renters, protects income with pet-friendly policies and becomes a part of operational strategy in multifamily. By Kevin Jacobson Among today’s renter households, pets aren’t optional. According to Zillow’s recent Consumer Housing Trends...
For multifamily owners a natural gas rate hike means higher housing costs hurting renter flexibility, renewals, and collections

NW Natural Gas Seeks 19% Rate Hike in SW Washington

For multifamily owners in southwest Washington this natural gas rate hike is not a utility story it is a higher housing cost story that hits renter flexibility, renewals and collections. By Aaron Kirk Douglas Northwest Natural...
Small landlords are selling their rental properties, a trend called the landlord exodus, which is reshaping the rental housing market

Is a ‘Landlord Exodus’ Reshaping the Rental-Housing Market?

A growing number of small landlords are choosing to sell their rental properties, a trend many are calling the landlord exodus which is reshaping the rental housing market. By Scot Aubrey For almost all of human...
Portland landlords hit with transportation utility fee of $12 monthly charge for single-family homes, and $8.40 per unit for multifamily

Portland Landlords Hit With New Transportation Fee

The Portland City Council has approved a new transportation utility fee, which will appear as a $12 monthly charge on utility bills for typical single-family homes, and $8.40 per unit for most multifamily households,...
The national median rent increased by 0.5 percent in April, increasing for the third month following six straight monthly rent declines

April Saw Another Monthly Rent Increase

The national median rent increased by 0.5 percent in April, increasing for the third consecutive month following six straight monthly rent declines as vacancy index dropped also, Apartment List writes in the May report. “We...
This checklist before a tenant moves out  is general guidance confirm your jurisdiction’s requirements before acting on any deduction or claim

25 Things Landlords Should Check Before A Tenant Move Out

Landlord–tenant laws vary by state and locality. This checklist before a tenant moves out  is general guidance; always confirm your jurisdiction’s specific security deposit, inspection, and notice requirements before acting on any deduction or...
The true cost of the rising threat of fraud in multifamily and a practical guide to protecting revenue, reputation, and resident experience.

Fraud: Multifamily’s Rising Threat

The rising threat of fraud in multifamily, where it is coming from, and a practical guide to protecting revenue, reputation, and resident experience. By Paul Willis Fraud remains prevalent in the multifamily industry and shows no...
Guest cards in rental housing play a role in demonstrating that all prospects are treated equally and shaping both the prospect experience

The Paper Trail Strikes Back: Why Guest Cards In Rental Housing Matter More Than...

Guest cards in rental housing play a critical role in demonstrating that all prospects are treated equally from the outset and shaping both the prospect experience and a property's compliance posture. By The Fair Housing...
Portland City Council approved a $56 million housing package aimed at renters, but carrying important implications for Portland landlords

Implications For Landlords In Portland’s Housing Package

After months of discussion, the Portland City Council approved a $56 million housing package on April 8 aimed at stabilizing renters, but the measure also carries important implications for landlords operating in the city. While...