Rents Soared 151%: Tenants Win Refunds Under New Law
California’s rent control law is finally being enforced, as a landlord faces penalties for raising rents by 151% and unlawfully evicting tenants. The case highlights new protections limiting rent increases and requiring just cause for evictions.
How to minimize risks when your rental property is vacant
Vacant rental properties come with hidden risks—from water damage and break-ins to pest infestations. Without proper precautions, these issues can lead to costly repairs. Learn practical steps to protect your investment, including securing insurance, installing security systems, and maintaining the property even when unoccupied.
Repairs Renters Are Responsible for Before Moving Out
Moving out of a rental? Learn what tenants are required to fix, what counts as normal wear and tear, and how to avoid losing your security deposit.
Red-Hot Rental Market Cools, Easing Inflation Pressures
Cooling rental prices are offering relief to renters and may help ease inflation. Driven by new housing supply and economic uncertainty, the shift signals a changing rental market and potential stabilization in the broader economy.
Benefits of Keeping Good Tenants in Your Rental
Keeping good tenants is one of the smartest strategies for landlords. From reducing vacancy costs to avoiding time-consuming turnovers, long-term tenants help maximize profitability and simplify property
Proposed California Law to Lower Security Deposits
California’s proposed AB 12 aims to cap rental security deposits at one month’s rent, potentially lowering upfront costs for tenants while significantly impacting landlords’ ability to recover damages and unpaid rent.
January 2023 Legal Q&A for Landlords and Tenants
A practical landlord-tenant Q&A covering key legal scenarios—from security deposits and third-party rent payments to handling nuisance tenants, lease responsibilities after divorce, and enforcing property rules. Learn what landlords can and cannot do under common lease situations.
Beware of Common Housing Scams: Tips to Stay Protected
Rental scams are becoming more common, with fraudsters breaking into vacant properties, posing as landlords, and collecting deposits from unsuspecting tenants. Learn how these scams work—and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
How Often Must Landlords Paint and Replace Carpet?
Learn how often landlords typically replace carpets, repaint units, and handle repairs. From 24–48 hour fixes to 3–5 year maintenance cycles, here’s what renters can realistically expect.
Application Fraud Grows as Rents Increase
Rising home prices during the pandemic pushed more people into renting, creating intense demand and skyrocketing rents. As affordability declined, rental application fraud surged, with millions of applicants submitting altered documents or false information to secure housing.
Exposing the Santa Monica Rent Gouging Scandal
A Santa Monica landlord is facing criminal charges after allegedly raising rent from $865 to $3,000 in just two months during a declared emergency. The case highlights strict price gouging laws and growing efforts to protect tenants from unlawful rent increases.
The Inflation Effect on Rent: When to Increase Rent
Rising inflation is reshaping the rental market, influencing how and when landlords adjust rent. Learn how inflation affects rental income, the right timing for increases, and strategies to raise rent without losing tenants.
Top Five Tenant Complaints and How To Handle Them
Discover the top five most common tenant complaints—ranging from noisy pets to parking disputes—and learn practical strategies landlords can use to resolve conflicts efficiently while maintaining positive tenant relationships.
How To Determine Reasonable Charges for Tenant Damages
Learn what landlords can legally deduct from a tenant’s security deposit, including how to distinguish damage from normal wear and tear, calculate reasonable repair costs, and comply with notice and documentation requirements.
December Landlord Legal Q&A: Key Rental Rules Explained
A comprehensive landlord legal Q&A covering carpet depreciation, pet restrictions, lease notice requirements, collecting judgments, tenant noise concerns, lock changes, and guest occupancy rules.
When a Landlord Can Keep the Security Deposit
Learn when landlords can legally keep a tenant’s security deposit, including common reasons like lease violations, unpaid rent, property damage, excessive cleaning, and unpaid utilities.
Rents Drop for First Time in Two Years After Record Highs
U.S. rents declined for the first time in nearly two years, signaling a potential shift in the rental market as new apartment supply increases and consumer demand softens.
Housing Market Outlook: The 'Falling Knife' Risk in 2022
The once red-hot housing market has slowed dramatically as mortgage rates surged from under 3% to over 7%, pushing affordability out of reach for many buyers. With prices beginning to decline—but not enough to offset higher borrowing costs—both buyers and sellers are holding back, creating a market stalemate. Experts predict modest price corrections rather than a crash, as the housing market adjusts to rising rates and shifting demand.
November Q&A: Expert Answers to Common Questions
A practical landlord-tenant Q&A covering third-party rent payments, notice requirements, lease obligations, repairs, and handling damages—based on California law guidelines.
Application Fraud Grows as Rents Increase
Rising rents and limited housing supply have led to a surge in rental application fraud, with many applicants falsifying documents or identities to secure housing. This article explores the causes, common fraud tactics, and practical steps landlords can take to protect themselves.