Resources for Landlords

An landlord–the proprietor of a property rented to people or businesses–need to contend with a number of occupational challenges. These include keeping his property through regular repairs and maintenance, as well as navigating the maze of legal regulations associated with leases, tenants and real estate law. Fortunately, there are numerous resources that landlords can use to better meet their obligations.

National Landlord Tenants Guide

The National Landlord Tenants Guide, accessible at rentlaw.com, provides a detailed, state-by-state manual of legal regulations associated with tenant and landlord issues. This includes legal advice about Section 8 housing, mould, eviction, security deposits and renter’s insurance.

Landlord.com

A heart of landlord resources, landlord.com provides a number of rental and company forms, checklists, agreements and design letters, as well as legal guides and a discussion board. Standard membership was available at $39.95 for six months, as of July 2010, at which time the website said that it had more than 110,000 members.

MrLandlord.com

Mrlandlord.com is the Web’s biggest forum for landlords, with nearly 160 million page views since 1999. In addition to a slew of legal resources, the site delivers a question-and-answer part in which landlords can pose state-specific questions to one another. The site also hosts a live chat on Wednesday and Sunday nights in which landlords can chew the fat.

Nolo.com

Nolo.com, the online legal resource center, has a section dedicated entirely to landlord-related law. While the National Landlord Tenants Guide provides state statutes, Nolo answers tricky legal questions, such as explaining what a”shelter-in-place order” is, also provides business advice, such as when to hire a property management company.

The Landlord Protection Agency

The Landlord Protection Agency, located at thelpa.com, provides a warehouse of almost every legal form that a landlord will need in the course of her work. Along with the normal tenant screening form, the LPA provides such esoteric legal records as a”Notice of Intent To Enter Premises” and a”Notice of Unauthorized Rent Deduction.” Forms may be purchased a la carte or free with the purchase of a yearlong membership.

Condition Agencies

State agencies can be invaluable for landlords, offering legal advice and advising them of applicable local government programs that may assist their business. Each state welcomes these jobs to a different service. Back in California, the Department of Consumer Affairs handles most landlord-tenant troubles. Check with your local secretary of state to find out more.

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