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Tenants With Too Many Vehicles What Can I Do?

By
Hank Rossi
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What to do when tenants have too many vehicles on your rental property and what should the lease say is the question for Landlord Hank

What to do when tenants have too many vehicles on your rental property and what should the lease say is the question this week for Ask Landlord Hank. Remember Hank is not an attorney and he is not offering legal advice. If you have a landlord question for him please fill out the form below.

Hello Hank,

Can we ask our tenant who has two cars, a truck & camper, boat & trailer, toy hauler and another truck (6 total) to move the vehicles that aren’t parked in the double garage or in the driveway?

The city allows a car parked on the street up to three business days! We have received complaints about this issue from neighbors

-Pat

Dear Landlord Pat,

Please check your lease. It may address parking restrictions but many leases don’t include anything related to parking.

I would also check to see if you home owners’ association (if you have one) has parking restrictions and see what the municipal restrictions are.

Did you talk to your tenants up front about their vehicles?

This seems to be an absurd amount of vehicles to be parked somewhere in a neighborhood. Your lease will say that tenants must abide by local laws and if this collection of vehicles is in violation, then you can talk to the tenants and if that doesn’t work, put a legal notice on their door that they are violating their lease.

Next lease ad something like this:

VEHICLES: Vehicle(s) must be currently licensed, owned by TENANT, registered, operational and properly parked. TENANT agrees to abide by all parking rules established now or in the future by LANDLORD or condo /homeowner association’s rules, if applicable. No trailers, campers, vehicles on blocks, motorcycles, boats or commercial vehicles are allowed on or about the premises without LANDLORD’S prior written approval.

TENANT is not to repair or disassemble vehicles on the premises. Vehicles not meeting the above requirements and additional rules of LANDLORD are unauthorized vehicles subject to being towed at TENANT expense. Parking on the grass is prohibited.

TENANT agrees to indemnify LANDLORD for any expenses incurred due to the towing of any vehicle belonging to the guest or invitee of TENANT. TENANT shall not use or install any portable or permanent electric or hybrid vehicle charger in or on the premises without the prior written permission of OWNER and an EV Vehicle Addendum signed by all parties.

TENANT agrees that only the following vehicles will be parked on the premises:

Sincerely,

Hank Rossi

Editor’s note: Check your local laws on vehicles on rental property or other issues as many cities and states have different rules.

What to do when tenants have too many vehicles on your rental property and what should the lease say is the question for Landlord Hank
Landlord Hank says, “Please check your lease. It may address parking restrictions but many leases don’t include anything related to parking.” He also suggests some lease improvements dealing with tenant vehicles.

Ask Landlord Hank Your Question

Ask veteran landlord and property manager Hank Rossi your questions from tenant screening to leases to pets and more! He provides answers each week to landlords.

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Each week I answer questions from landlords and property managers across the country in my “Dear Landlord Hank” blog in the digital magazine Rental Housing Journal.   https://rentalhousingjournal.com/asklandlordhank/

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What Are The Best Window Coverings For Rental Property?

By
By The Editors
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What are the best window coverings for your rental property blinds, shades or curtains

Window coverings for your rental property can be important in attracting tenants, so what are the best blinds, shades or curtains among three basic types of window coverings.

It can be difficult to choose the best type of window covering to complement a space while being easy to maintain and practical for tenants with the new technologies, décor styles and trendy materials always changing things up.

Here are the more common kinds of window coverings that are available for your windows, while including their individual pro’s and con’s to help you pick the one that works best for your budget and your rental property from Keepe.

No. 1 – Window Coverings: Blinds

Blinds consist of either horizontal or vertical slats that can be adjusted with cords or handles to allow for varied amounts of visibility and luminosity. Blinds can be easily custom-fitted, cleaned off and are treated so that that won’t fade over time as great window coverings in your rental property.

Styles of window coverings

    • Venetian blinds are the most common kind of shades: they have horizontal slats larger than one inch wide, connected by a rope cord or cloth strip called “tapes” and have slats that bundle together as one raises them vertically.
    • Mini and Micro blinds look and work in the same way Venetian blinds do, but feature smaller slats, which are typically one inch or less wide.
    • Panel blinds have characteristic vertical slats that slide along a track that is mounted above the window or door they cover.

Materials

Plastic – This is the most common kind of material used to craft blinds, which is largely due to the fact that it is the cheapest and easiest to replace. These kinds of blinds come in many colors and sizes, but are nowhere near as durable and sturdy as ones made with wood or metal, which makes it easy for them to become damaged (snap, fall of or bend) and require frequent replacements over time.

What Are The Best Window Coverings For Your Rental Property?
Plastic mini blinds are low cost and easy to replace when tenants or pets or children damage them.

Metal – Metal blinds are resistant to moisture and overall much more durable than their plastic counterpart. Those made with smaller gauges are thicker and thus the most durable. While they  come in many different finishes and can be used in any space, some find them to be particularly noisy, which is a major downside that comes with this material.

Wood – Wood blinds offer a uniquely polished and refined look, and have a naturally heavier weight that gives them a sturdy quality. While some find this to be a desired characteristic, wood blinds might not be an ideal choice for those wanting a more modern look or a solution that is practical and easy to maintain. Wood blinds are much pricier than metal or plastic blinds, and repairs are costly. They also are not a good option for kitchen and bathrooms as the wood can become easily damaged – rotten, cracked, warped – when exposed to moisture.

Faux Wood – Blinds made with faux wood slats are the solution for those who like the look of wood blinds but have lower budgets and want less maintenance concerns. They are made of synthetic materials that are engineered to resemble wood, which makes them perfectly resistant to moisture and affordable.

No. 2 –  Shades

Unlike blinds, shades consist of one single, unified layer of material that can be pulled down or up to cover windows and doors uniformly. Shades are crafted to stretch and roll down or fold up into themselves.

Styles

    • Pleated – pleated shades are the most simple kind. They consist of a sheet of thin material that is folded in an accordion-like pattern so it can unfolded down or bundled up.
    • Cellular – cellular shades have unique insulation properties. They consist of two layers of materials that are combined together and then folded like plated shades, while leaving an opening in the middle. This unique design turns them into a layer that is able to provide insulation from outside temperatures and sounds as window coverings for your rental property.

 

Roman – roman shades are a cross between a curtain and a Venetian blind. They are crafted so that a piece of cloth can be raised and lowered as it folds into itself. Roman blinds can be made from many different kinds of cloth, including special thermal or UV-filtering cloth. The main downsides to Roman shades is that even when they are completely “rolled up”, the bundled cloth folds in a way that covers the top of the window, reducing visibility and light.

Roller – Roller shades are similar to Roman shades as they are made up of fabric that can be pulled up or down, but they do so without folding. A special mechanism allows the fabric to be stretched across the window or door it covers without folding. Many options and customizations are available for roller shades, with higher-tech materials (thermal and such) and elaborate mounts to match any style. Cheaper kinds of roller shades can develop problems as mechanisms can become jammed. The fabric covering can also easily require a complete replacement after becoming stained or faded from sunlight exposure, which is typically costly.

No. 3 – Curtains

Curtains are made by hanging large pieces of cloth on a wall-fixed rod or track, which then allows for the cloth to be sled over or away from the window.

 

best window coverings for your rentals blinds, shades or curtains

Pros

    • Countless fabric options exist and make it possible to choose between hundreds of color and materials for a property’s curtains. Heavier or thicker materials provide maximum coverage while lighter, more transparent fabrics allow more light filtration.
    • Curtains do not require to be precisely fitted to a window or door like blinds do: after curtain rods are mounted, it’s typically quite easy to find a curtain size that works.
    • They operate without handles or hanging ropes, which can be a safety hazards for children and easily damaged by pets.
    • While a stained shade might require a complete replacement, stained or dirty curtains can be taken off and machine-washed.

Cons

    • Curtains attract and collect dust, pollen and other airborne debris (like pet air), which makes regular washing a necessity.
    • They are not suited for all homes and designs: some spaces can be made to look smaller or simply “off” by large curtains and rods.
    • Curtains can be quite problematic when mounted in kitchen and bathrooms, where increased moisture in the air can dampen them and cause them to become an ideal living environment for mold

Summary on window coverings for your rental property

When it comes to most kinds of home decor and accents, it’s usually the norm for there to be hundreds of options and designs, which can make it quite overwhelming and kind of unpleasant to have to sit down and “just pick one”.

Our professionals have indeed noticed a quite common trend: homeowners and property managers often anticipate just how time consuming it can be to get stuck with evaluating hundreds of different options for their homes, and ultimately end up opting for “too good to be true” or “spur of the moment” updates that don’t typically turn out to be the best match for their expectations. Hopefully these useful tips will save you some time and money.

About Keepe:

Keepe is an on-demand maintenance solution for property managers and independent landlords. The company makes a network of hundreds of independent contractors and handymen available for maintenance projects at rental properties. Keepe is available in the Greater Seattle area, Greater Phoenix area, San Francisco Bay area, Portland, San Diego and is coming soon to an area near you. Learn more about Keepe at https://www.keepe.com

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Apartment Maintenance: A Virtual ‘Doorway’ to Your Operations

By
By The Editors
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How you respond to maintenance requests and how well apartment maintenance responds to tenant needs is a key to positive resident reviews.

How you respond to maintenance requests and how well apartment maintenance responds to tenant needs is a key to positive resident reviews.

By Richard Berger

Apartment communities can keep their reputation solid by providing great service and encouraging resident feedback.

An apartment community’s maintenance team is a virtual doorway to operations, and when its technicians perform well, it’s the best way to garner authentic, positive resident reviews.

The Federal Trade Commission recently focused its regulatory efforts on consumer reviews, cracking down on fake reviews and imposing hefty fines for companies that do so, including potentially the apartment industry.

While multifamily is not prone to false reviews, online reputation has been a key digital marketing element in increasing tours, applications, and signed leases.

Online reputation was a prominent topic among panelists at the National Multifamily Housing Council’s OpTech Conference in October.

If All Else is Even, They Look at Resident Reviews

Lia Nichole Smith, Senior Vice President of Education and Research at ApartmentRatings.com and SatisFacts Research, said that when rents are fair and even, prospects will look at reviews, and that’s how apartment communities can remain more competitive.

“Often, the only thing that prospects have to go on about your property is what they see in your responses to online resident reviews and comments.”

Smith suggested apartment companies have their employees take a “risk management approach” to handling reviews to improve writing those replies.

“Require mandatory staff training, just like you would for fair housing,” she said.

Additionally, Smith raised skepticism about apartment companies using local influencers’ reviews and comments to garner attraction.

“We are now at the point where influencers are also being held accountable for what they provide you,” Smith said. “Besides, is there really an ROI for this?”

Christina Steeg, SVP Marketing & Communications, Waterton, said reviews convey what’s going right and what’s going wrong.

“Take advantage of what your residents are saying to you,” she said.

Satisfacts said that 13 percent of residents who post positive or negative comments don’t expect the apartment company to respond.

There’s also been a lot of attention paid to review gating or buying reviews.

Fashion Nova, a California fast-fashion retailer, will pay the Federal Trade Commission a $4.2 million settlement over allegations that it blocked negative product reviews from being posted on its website, theverge.com reported. The agency says this is its first case to challenge the practice of suppressing negative customer reviews.

Incentivizing Residents to Leave Reviews Frowned Upon

One strategy is asking apartment company employees who live in the community to post reviews, and another is incentivizing residents to do so. The panel discouraged both practices.

According to Smith, incentivizing residents to leave a review is a poor strategy because the property must disclose that a “gift” was given to the reviewer in the review.

Residents reading the reviews view this unfavorably; worse, it “sabotages all the hard work your onsite team is doing to drive resident reviews,” Smith says.

Communities may hand residents a card with a QR code during a grab-and-go lunch event or after a maintenance tech performs a work order instructing them to post a review.

The mobile maintenance app AppWork makes it easy for residents to leave review comments for the on-site team and technician after completing a work order. The resident can also choose to share that review with a public-facing review site.

AppWork said among its clients, the average rating maintenance techs receive upon completion is 4.2 on a 5-point scale and that approximately 10 percent of completed work orders earn resident online reviews.

The mobile app adds cohesion to the daily work-order process, enabling supervisors to assign maintenance technician specialists to the most appropriate jobs.

About the author:

Richard Berger is a freelance journalist who has 20+ years of experience covering commercial real estate for various media sites and CRE-related associations. He lives in Northern Virginia.

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6 Things To Consider If You Rent By The Room

By
By The Editors
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Here are 6 things to consider if you rent by the room- or want to do so - which can be financially beneficial but with some cautions.

Here are 6 things to consider if you rent by the room- or want to do so – which can be financially beneficial but with some cautions.

By Scot Aubrey

Hula Hoop.  Pet Rock.  Rubik’s Cube.  All fads that had their moment and, every once in a while, resurface with a new generation.

There is another old/new idea that is becoming a more popular option in an expensive and competitive real estate market: renting by the room.

A look back in history would show that renting by the room is not a new concept; in fact, it has probably existed for thousands of years in one form or another. But today’s environment brings challenges that likely never existed before. So let’s take a deeper dive into this scenario and see how it may affect you as an owner and investor.

If you are like other investors, you have enhanced your portfolio with residential real estate, including single-family homes, condos, and apartments.

However, as the market has changed, you may find your earnings are falling short of what you wanted or projected.  One effective strategy to increase your return on investment is to rent by the room instead of leasing the entire property to a single tenant or family.

Renting out individual rooms can provide you as a landlord with multiple sources of income from several tenants, resulting in more consistent and profitable rental payments.  While this approach can be financially beneficial, it does come with a few key things to consider:

  1. Cost savings for tenants: No landlord wants an empty property, and by providing more affordable options, this becomes less likely. Renting a room can significantly lower living expenses for tenants.  For instance, a three-bedroom home that typically rents for $2,000 could be split into three rooms renting at $800 each, making it more affordable for individuals.
  2. Increased income for landlords: The potential for increased income is music to every landlord’s ears. By renting to multiple tenants, landlords can maximize their rental income.  That same three-bedroom home could generate $2,400 monthly if each room is rented separately.
  3. Increased liability: Having multiple tenants with no connection to one another instantly adds liability and tension into the property.  With the sharing of common spaces and bathrooms, there is an increase in opportunities for interactions that could cause discomfort.  More than ever, doing proper background screening – like that available through Rent Perfect – is critical in protecting your interests and your tenants.
  4. Potential for high tenant turnover: While renting by the room can yield higher revenue, there is a greater chance that you will experience more frequent tenant changes. As you know, every time a tenant leaves, this creates extra work in finding, screening, ad placing new tenants into the property.  And renting by the room may limit your potential tenants as it may not be the perfect fit for everyone.
  5. Increased communication: More tenants inevitably mean more calls about noise complaints, maintenance issues, and other issues that present themselves when you have unaffiliated individuals sharing a space. Are you ready as a landlord to take on the stress and extra workload that communicating with multiple tenants in the same property will bring?
  6. Hidden costs: As this is an area new to most landlords, there are a lot of unknowns. There will be additional expenses, such as increased utilities and maintenance costs, that you previously haven’t experienced.  Shared costs, like heating and landscaping, might not be easily passed on to tenants and could have an impact on overall profitability.  Shared costs also create one more tension point as tenants compare their “use” to the cost they are paying, opening additional hidden costs related to legal or management fees you weren’t expecting.  In areas of the country that require separate metering for utilities, this creates another cost that many landlords did not anticipate.

It’s not all gloom and doom, though.  Most landlords typically lease their properties to a single family or individual.  However, renting by the room can be a viable option, even in your primary residence.  For tenants, especially young professionals or students, sharing a house can be a more affordable option in high-rent parts of the country.

While renting by the room can be an effective strategy for increasing rental income, as we’ve discussed,  it’s not without its challenges.  Landlords must weigh the benefits against potential conflicts, hidden costs, and the hassles of managing multiple tenants.  Whether renting by the room is just the latest fad  or the new normal, thorough consideration is key to determining if this approach aligns with your long-term investment goals.

About the author:

Here are 6 things to consider if you rent by the room- or want to do so - which can be financially beneficial but with some cautions.

Scot Aubrey is vice-president of Rent Perfect, a private investigator, and fellow landlord who manages short-term rentals. Subscribe to the weekly Rent Perfect Podcast to stay up to date on the latest industry news and for expert tips on how to manage your properties.

 

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Oregon Landlord Evicts Tenant Charged with Murder

By
John Triplett
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The Oregon landlord for a man charged with murder of an apartment resident who lived across the hall from him has won an eviction order

The Oregon landlord for a man charged with murder of an apartment resident who lived across the hall from him has won an eviction order in Washington County Circuit Court, according to Oregonlive.com.

Attorneys for the Baseline 158 apartment complex in Beaverton filed an eviction lawsuit Oct. 15 against Bryce Schubert, 27, and a 24-year-old woman, demanding they vacate their apartment within 24-hours, citing an “extremely outrageous act.”

Schubert is charged with killing newlywed nurse Melissa Jubane. Jubane lived in Unit 513; Schubert in Unit 520. The apartments are diagonally across the hall from each other, according to a floorplan.

The Oregonian reported that the lawsuit was filed for the Oregon landlord by the New York-based investment management fund Sentinel Real Estate – which controls the large apartment building – but doesn’t give any details, though it lists personal injury or substantial property damage as potential justification.

Schubert failed to appear in Washington County Circuit Court in the civil case and a judge sided with his landlord by default.

A receptionist who answered the phone for Sentinel Real Estate’s eviction attorney, Bradley Kraus, said he declined to comment.

Jubane had returned from her wedding ceremony in Oahu when she was allegedly kidnapped and then killed by Schubert on Sept. 4.

Coworkers, family and friends instantly became concerned when the beloved nurse didn’t clock in for work at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center that morning, spurring a massive volunteer search until Beaverton police recovered her body three days later.

Authorities haven’t released a motive in the case. Schubert, also a nurse, briefly worked for Providence, but was never assigned to the same hospital as Jubane, according to a spokesperson.

Schubert has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, the newspaper reported. Schubert has remained in Washington County jail and no bail hearing has been set.

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Are Landlords Responsible For Tree Maintenance?

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By The Editors
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Generally, landlords are responsible for tree maintenance on their rental property unless the lease specifically states otherwise

Generally, landlords are responsible for tree maintenance on their rental property unless the lease specifically states otherwise, tree experts say.

Trees are attractive to renters and potential tenants who want to live near beautiful trees so make sure the trees on your rental property reflect the quality of your rentals. Trees attract birds and purify the air to make living in your rental home more enjoyable.

It can be easy for a landlord to overlook tree maintenance until a tree emergency suddenly happens and then it is a sudden emergency tenants want taken care of.

So, it is important for landlords to evaluate and monitor the health and vitality of trees on their rental property and this is best left to an expert certified arborist such as those at Grove Tree Care in Oregon. Arborists should have credentials from respected institutions like the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), as they are well-versed in the science and art of arboriculture. Staying current with the latest advances in tree health and safety is also important.

Other tree services to consider from an arborist are:

  • Tree Pruning and Trimming: Enhancing the beauty and safety of trees through skilled pruning.
  • Tree Removal: Conducting safe and efficient removals when trees pose a risk or are no longer viable.
  • Stump Grinding and Removal:Clearing away remnants for a clean and usable landscape.
  • Tree Cabling and Bracing: Providing structural support to preserve and protect your trees.
  • Emergency Tree Services: Responding swiftly to urgent situations with a 24/7 emergency service in Wilsonville, OR.

Also, as a landlord it is a good idea to monitor tree health on properties that adjoin your rental as trees from a neighboring property could fall and impact your rental and tenants.

Remember if you have trees on your rental property, it is important to control the growth. Also, you do not want tenants taking it upon themselves to cut down tree branches. So, tree maintenance should be part of your preventative maintenance.

Too, if you have questions on whether landlords are responsible forissues around trees, it is best to check with your attorney.

About Grove Tree Care

Generally, landlords are responsible for tree maintenance on their rental property unless the lease specifically states otherwise

 

Grove Tree Care, a locally owned, family run tree care company dedicated to our customers and our employees. We have a heart for the Pacific Northwest and donate reforestation for every completed job. Our team, including our certified arborist, has over 60 years of experience with tree care and is ready to help you with your project.

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Interactive Maps Enhance Maintenance Operations

By
By The Editors
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Interactive maps and their application within maintenance platforms are proving to be a key advancement in maintenance operations

Interactive maps and their application within maintenance platforms are proving to be a key advancement in maintenance operations.

By Andrew Ruhland

 In an era of increasing centralized property management, modern operations at today’s communities often involve teams aiming to work collaboratively from several locations.

This can make operations more difficult, ultimately affecting the living experience for residents. Operators are realizing that by leveraging technology and focusing on improving operational efficiencies, specifically maintenance operations, they can better support teams and significantly enhance the resident experience.

Maximizing Maintenance Capabilities

Interactive maps and their application within maintenance platforms are proving to be a key advancement in maintenance operations. Providing technicians with the technology to visualize entire properties all the way down to each individual unit allows them to pinpoint specific problems and allocate resources more efficiently.

For instance, if a property has a pest control issue, technicians are able to identify and isolate it to ascertain adjacent units or common areas being affected, rather than unnecessarily treating it as a property-wide problem. Interactive maps enable teams to submit work orders directed at target areas, saving time and resources.

“Interactive maps greatly enhance operational efficiencies, particularly for maintenance supervisors who are responsible for organizing and managing the daily tasks of technicians,” said Jacqueline Dill, asset manager for Asset Living. “Having the ability to streamline coordination efforts allows teams to better allocate resources and ensure that technicians are fully utilized and effective throughout the day.”

Contributing to increased organization, visual data empowers faster, more precise decisions at the operational level.  Whether it’s preventive maintenance or addressing immediate problems in real time, the advanced visibility provided by these tools has become indispensable for teams.

“These interactive maps generate heat maps that are crucial to the success of maintenance teams by helping them make swift connections and draw insights,” Dill said. “They are analyzing vast amounts of data, and these tools enable technicians to quickly spot trends and decide what the best course of action is, such as whether to repair or replace something.”

For new hires, maintenance software  can streamline training procedures to help new associates better understand their tasks with highlighted work orders – an advantage impossible with traditional maintenance tools and processes. When data visualization is implemented, supervisors no longer need to micromanage or give detailed directions to technicians, and they can simply refer to the map and head straight to where they’re needed.

Interactive maps and their application within maintenance platforms are proving to be a key advancement in maintenance operations
Enabled by the partnership with Engrain, Appwork clients can now easily visualize open work orders in an interactive property heat map.

Enhancing Communications and Streamlining Operations

Interactive maps also improve communication between maintenance technicians and vendors.

If a vendor is lost or if there is a language barrier, maintenance teams can access the map on their phone and guide them directly to the location they are needed. Map features further simplify communications by allowing teams to access information about ongoing tasks, such as apartment homes in need of painting, cleaning or carpet replacement.

This enhances productivity and scheduling, making management tasks easier. Universally understood, interactive maps also make reporting pertinent information to stakeholders easier and more efficient.

Moreover, using interactive maps and communication features are as simple as texting. Work orders are submitted similar to a text message thread, enabling clear and speedy communication. Features like badging can also be incentives for highly motivated teams.

“While interactive maps absolutely improve overall maintenance operations, they are especially valuable when reporting on major, time-sensitive issues or renovations,” said David Alvarado, regional maintenance supervisor for Atlantic Pacific Companies. “Providing a comprehensive view of a property, interactive maps enable us to monitor for emergency problems and communicate any necessary adjustments as needed. It is so simple to use.”

Improving Accountability and Professionalism

From an accountability standpoint, interactive maps also add an extra layer of protection.

With features such as timestamps and photographic receipts of the work that has been done, maintenance teams can easily verify whether a task was completed should a resident claim otherwise. This helps safeguard technicians and onsite associates, ensuring a higher level of customer service and increased trust from residents.

“For regional supervisors like myself who oversee multiple properties, having an ongoing, readily available record of work orders and instant access to real-time updates has been a complete game changer,” Alvarado said. “I can’t be physically present at every property and having the ability to still see accurate reports for each community helps me guarantee that each location is well-maintained and residents are satisfied with the service they are receiving.”

Elevating the Resident Experience

Ultimately, integrating interactive maps into maintenance operations raises the level of professionalism and quality of work maintenance teams are able to deliver, subsequently boosting the resident experience.

Work orders that once took hours to plan and delegate to technicians are now being managed and executed seamlessly. The visual data that interactive maps offer helps maintenance teams perform their day-to-day tasks more efficiently while raising living standards.

“Our mission has always been to provide the tools necessary to empower teams to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively,” Dill said. “The innovative features these maps entail allow technicians to deliver exceptional service and improve operations to a degree that greatly impacts how satisfied residents are. And an improved experience definitely translates to a healthier bottom line.”

About the author:

Andrew Ruhland is an account executive and content writer for LinnellTaylor Marketing, which focuses exclusively on the rental housing industry, its trends and technology innovations.

National Median Rents Dip Further In October

By
John Triplett
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The national median rent dipped 0.7% in October as rental housing enters the slow season and the vacancy rate rises.

The national median rent dipped 0.7% in October as rental housing enters the slow season and the vacancy rate rises, according to the November report in Apartment List.

The median monthly rent nationally fell by $10, putting it at $1,394, and “we’re likely to see that number continue to dip modestly through the remainder of the year,” Apartment List economists write in the report.

October saw 89 of the nation’s 100 largest cities rents fall, in line with the broader national trend. Many of the steepest year-over-year declines remain concentrated in Sun Belt metros that are rapidly expanding their multifamily inventory, such as Austin (-7.1 percent year-over-year), Raleigh (-4.6 percent), and Jacksonville (-4.1 percent).

The national median rent dipped 0.7% in October as rental housing enters the slow season and the vacancy rate, according to the November report in Apartment List.

Rental patterns have been changing the last few years. Since 2022 seasonal declines in rent prices that take place during the fall and winter have been steeper than usual and seasonal increases of the spring and summer have been milder, the report says.

Year-over-year rent growth nationally is -0.7 percent and has now been in negative territory for nearly a year and a half. Despite this, the national median rent is still more than $200 per month higher than it was just a few years ago.

Increasing vacancy rate

On the supply side of the rental market, “our national vacancy index ticked up to 6.8 percent, the highest reading since the onset of the pandemic,” the economists write.

This rise in the vacancy rate is coming on the heels of the strongest quarter for new apartment completions in five decades.

The national median rent dipped 0.7% in October as rental housing enters the slow season, according to the November report in Apartment List.

Conclusion

“Rent increases are currently being moderated by a robust construction pipeline that has already delivered a decades-high number of new apartment units in 2024, with considerable runway still to go in the boom.

“And while rental demand has bounced back a bit this year, recent signs of labor market softness could dampen demand going forward. With this in mind, we expect that new supply will continue to outstrip demand into 2025,” Apartment List economists write.

Read the full report from Apartment List here.

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Rents Are Falling But Strong Economy Gives Optimism

Mastering Assistance Animal Guidelines

By
By The Editors
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Mastering assistance animal guidelines involves complex rules for service animals and assistance animals and reasonable accommodation

Rules for service animals and assistance animals and reasonable accommodation are complex and detailed, so Victoria Cowart of PetScreening.com recently did an excellent webinar on assistance animal guidelines.

Cowart, National Apartment Association Education Institute Faculty Director of Education and Multifamily Enterprise Sales For PetScreening, did the webinar called “You Bet Your Assets” how to “Master Assistance Animal Guidelines For Rental Housing.”

She said the title was chosen because “you are betting your assets, personal and professional, on your understanding of all things Fair Housing.” She also provided a workbook to go along with the webinar which can be downloaded below.

What she called the “furry” Fair Housing elements.

Mastering assistance animal guidelines involves complex rules for service animals and assistance animals and reasonable accommodation

Mastering assistance animal guidelines involves complex rules for service animals and assistance animals and reasonable accommodation

What Are Your Pet Rules?

She took on the issue of rental properties and their “pet rules” to understand U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rules as well as other federal rules and provided assistance animal guidelines.

Cowart said to set aside breed restrictions, weight limits, the number of pets because these animals do not count as a pet. Remember also no pet deposits, no monthly pet fees, etc.

“HUD is not going to tell us what ‘reasonable’ means, but I can tell you what an accommodation is. An accommodation is a change, exception or adjustment to a rule, policy or practice,” Cowart said.

“Simply put if someone is speaking to you about an assistance animal … they are talking about any version of an assistance animal. With your listening ears on you are hearing a request for reasonable accommodation.” They do not have to use specific words.

 

Mastering assistance animal guidelines involves complex rules for service animals and assistance animals and reasonable accommodation

Mastering assistance animal guidelines involves complex rules for service animals and assistance animals and reasonable accommodation

Mastering assistance animal guidelines involves complex rules for service animals and assistance animals and reasonable accommodation

Remember that animal is like a walker or a wheelchair for a disabled person and you would not tell them they could not have that in the rental unit. It is part of their treatment plan.

The webinar discusses when documentation is needed or not. How to tell the difference between service and support animals plus other topics such as:

  • Doggie drivers’ licenses sold on the internet are not worth what people are paying for them.
  • “My insurance company” made me do it or use of the insurance company to deny a request is not a defense as far as HUD is concerned.
  • There has been a 200% increase in reasonable accommodation requests between 2015 and 2019 compared to the previous 20 years.
  • 70% of residents have pets or animals.

About Victoria Cowart

Mastering assistance animal guidelines involves complex rules for service animals and assistance animals and reasonable accommodation

Victoria Cowart, CPM, NAAEI Faculty is a multifamily industry member with extensive experience providing management and oversight for multifamily housing communities (conventional & subsidized), mobile home communities, and HOAs. She is a property management instructor and a proud graduate of the NAA Lyceum Program. Victoria obtained her degree in the Management of human resources and then her industry CPM designation. She was honored to be commissioned an SC “Palmetto Patriot,” to receive the Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Executive “Influential Women In Business,” and the NAA AIMS Grassroots Member Advocate of the year.

Listen in-depth to the entire webinar here

Download the workbook here

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Tenant Cut Off Electricity And Moved Early What Do We Do?

By
Hank Rossi
-
What to do when a tenant cuts off the electricity and moved early is the question this week for Landlord Hank

What to do when a tenant cuts off the electricity and moved early is the question this week for Ask Landlord Hank. Remember Hank is not an attorney and he is not offering legal advice. If you have a question for him please fill out the form below.

Dear Landlord Hank,

What to do if tenant has moved out of house and cut off electric prior to lease ending?

Yes, we do have it in their lease that they’re not supposed to… but what should we do?

-Tiffany

Hi Landlady Tiffany,

Most leases have a section or clause concerning Default.

If may say something like: If the tenant abandons or surrenders possession of the premises during the lease term, the landlord may retake possession and make a good faith effort to re-rent it.

Most leases also have a section concerning Utilities, stating that the tenant is responsible for maintaining essential utilities in their name and if the tenant discontinues service this is a default of the lease agreement and the tenant is responsible for all utility charges that are otherwise tenant responsibility under the lease.

That all being said I would reach out to the tenant via phone, text and email and get confirmation they have left the property. Deal with their security deposit legally and with certified notice to the tenant. Once you confirm the tenant is gone and not coming back, I would change the locks and prepare the property for the next tenant.

Sincerely,

Hank Rossi

Editor’s note: Check your local laws on this issue as many cities and states have different rules.

What to do when a tenant cuts off the electricity and moved early is the question this week for Landlord Hank
Landlord Hank says, “Once you confirm the tenant is gone and not coming back, I would change the locks and prepare the property for the next tenant.”

Ask Landlord Hank Your Question

Ask veteran landlord and property manager Hank Rossi your questions from tenant screening to leases to pets and more! He provides answers each week to landlords.

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Visit Hank’s website here www.rentsrq.com

Each week I answer questions from landlords and property managers across the country in my “Dear Landlord Hank” blog in the digital magazine Rental Housing Journal.    https://rentalhousingjournal.com/asklandlordhank/

 

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