Rental Pet Banning: Will It Happen? (Podcast #427)
RentPrep For Landlords
In this week's podcast, Andrew Schultz discusses the latest on the new bill introduced in California to prohibit landlords from banning pets in rentals. Will it pass? Find out what we have to say. We’ve got a new update on the Buffalo, NY landlords involved in the lead poisoning fiasco affecting renters within their portfolio. And, last, but not least, if a tenant wants to change out a faucet, can they? And if so, who pays for the change out? Listen to the podcast today.
info_outline
How To Work With Restoration Companies (Podcast #426)
RentPrep For Landlords
In this week's podcast, Andrew Schultz discusses working with restoration companies for your rental property. What are his tips for a successful working relationship? Ooph, so you have multiple qualified applicants, but don’t want to deny the wrong one. Find out what to do when faced with this scenario. And, last, but not least, what gets rid of tough mold? And, how can the landlord prevent mold in the first place? Find out now in today’s podcast.
info_outline
How To Assess Rental Damage (Podcast #425)
RentPrep For Landlords
In this week's podcast, Andrew Schultz discusses rental property damage whether it’s done by a natural disaster like a storm or possibly your tenants. Yikes! You posted an ad for your rental and now you have twenty qualified tenants that match your criteria perfectly. How do you handle the situation? And, last, but not least, what gets rid of tough mold? And, how can the landlord prevent mold in the first place? Find out now in today’s podcast.
info_outline
Pipe Bursts: Who Pays For What? (Podcast #424)
RentPrep For Landlords
In this week's podcast, Andrew Schultz discusses pipe bursts in rentals and whether or not the tenant or landlord is responsible for the costs. Find out how to properly collect application fees if you are an out of area landlord trying to collect payments from possible tenants. And, last, but not least, find out if landlords can charge for water and sewer even if there are no separate meters.
info_outline
Fake Landlords: What To Know (Podcast #423)
RentPrep For Landlords
In this week's podcast, Andrew Schultz discusses the latest fake landlord scam to hit the market. Make sure to warn your tenants! How do you go about a lease that’s technically for a guest, but it’s not necessarily subletting? Find out now. And, last, but not least, what happens when a landlord gets along with their tenants, but the tenants don’t get along. We’ve got just the answer! Listen in now.
info_outline
Tenant Breaks No Smoking Rules (Podcast #422)
RentPrep For Landlords
In this week's podcast, Andrew Schultz discusses tenants that like to break the no smoking clause that is clearly laid out in your lease agreement. Find out how to do a final walkthrough with a tenant and how to use a move-out checklist while doing so. And, last, but not least, discover how much of a premium you can add to a rental if it’s fully furnished with high-quality furniture.
info_outline
How To Build Tenant Credit (Podcast #421)
RentPrep For Landlords
In this week's podcast, Andrew Schultz how to build up your tenant’s credit by properly reporting rent payments to various outlets. We will also explore the difference between battery operated and hard-wired smoke detectors, the properly protocol for the different types of rental properties and more. And, last, but not least, what ever happened to that Buffalo landlord that was allowing tenants to live in lead poisoned rentals? Find out in our latest podcast.
info_outline
How To Self-Manage Your Rental (Podcast #420)
RentPrep For Landlords
In this week's podcast, Andrew Schultz discusses how to self-manage your rental property like a professional. We will also explore what to do when you find out your tenant has been smoking in a non-smoking rental. And, last, but not least, how can landlords incentivize contractors to do amazing work? Find out all this and more in our latest podcast.
info_outline
Smart Rental Homes: Is It A Thing? (Podcast #419)
RentPrep For Landlords
In this week’s episode, Podcast Host, Property Manager & Business Owner, Andrew Schultz, chats about whether or not smart homes are worth the investment or not for landlords. When it comes to work and rental references, what should a landlord ask? Find out the top questions to ask when chatting with references to see if your potential tenant is a go. Yikes! Your keychain’s a mess and you need help sorting out your rental keys from your personal. Find out the best way to organize your portfolio keys.
info_outline
Fair Housing Testing: What To Know (Podcast #418)
RentPrep For Landlords
In this week’s episode, Podcast Host, Property Manager & Business Owner, Andrew Schultz, chats about fair housing testing and its role in uncovering evidence of racial discrimination in rental housing. Ready to digitize your rent payment system? We’ll give you tips on how to set up rent payments for tenants digitally. Last, but not least, what’s the purpose of a property manager and when should you consider hiring one for your rental property? Find out in our latest podcast.
info_outlineResources mentioned in this episode:
https://www.rentprep.com/resources/
https://www.texasrealestate.com/for-texas-realtors/legal-faqs/category/landlord-tenant-issues
https://www.classaction.org/employment-background-checks
Narrator voice
This is the plaintiff Jim Jackson he’s a renter from Texas and he says the defendant denied him a rental because he has a large family. He’s suing for $1,000 in statutory damages related to his discrimination claim.
Narrator voice
This is the defendant Wilson Wharton who claims he found better renters and that Jim is just angry he was denied the rental.
Bailiff
Will all parties please raise their right hand
Narrator voice - What you are about to hear is only real in your imagination. The judgements are fictitious but real life lessons are waiting to unfold. Welcome to RentPrep court.
Bailiff
All rise for the honorable Judge Rudy Fortune.
Judge Rudy Fortune
Jim Jackson you are suing Mr. Wilson Wharton for damages of $1,000 dollars because you believe you and your family were discriminated against. What kind of evidence do you have to substantiate your claims.
Renter Jim Jackson
Your honor. I have six kids and it’s been very difficult for my wife and I to find a place to live. We’ve been denied many rentals so far but with Mr. Wharton it was the only time we felt someone discriminated against us.
Judge Rudy
What makes you believe that you were discriminated against?
Renter Jim Jackson
When we looked at the rental he kept asking us prying questions about our family. He started off by making a comment about our mini-van and asked me how many kids we have. He made comments during the showing and said that the rental was ideal for couples and not great for families. But we’re desperate so we filled out an application and paid the $50 fee and we were never told if we were denied.
Judge Rudy
So how did you find out you were denied the rental?
Renter Jim Jackson
I called Mr. Wharton about a week later to ask about the rental and he said he went with another applicant.
Judge Rudy
Mr. Wharton… is this true?
Landlord Wilson Wharton
Not completely your honor. I never made any comments about their mini-van or that the rental is better suited for landlords. That simply did not happen. Jim’s right that I did rent out the space to someone else who is a better fit for the rental.
Judge Rudy
Mmm hmmmm… and how did you make that determination that the other applicant was a better fit for your rental?
Landlord Wilson Wharton
They had a much longer and more stable job history so I ran their background check and everything checked out fine.
Judge Rudy
Mr. Wharton did you provide Mr. Jackson with your tenant-selection criteria when he filled out an application?
Landlord Wilson Wharton
Ahhhh… no your honor.
Judge Rudy (cue music)
Mmmm your situation reminds me of a friend of mine growing up. A bunch of us use to play baseball down by the quarry at the edge of town. We’d go to Mr. Jenkins grocery store and snag some of his spare cardboard boxes. We’d make some bases and drop em down on the field and have ourselves a day playing until suppa time. Our one friends we called Racing Rick because he’d run so fast round the bases his feet would never touch cardboard until he got to home plate. In school he was the same way. He was always cutting corners to get things done as quickly as possible. Mr. Wharton do you understand why I am bringing up Racing Rick today?
Landlord Wilson Wharton
Ahhh… I’m not sure I’m following your honor.
Judge Rudy
You mentioned you didn’t provide the applicant with your tenant-selection-criteria. In the state of Texas it is required to make printed notice of the landlord’s tenant-selection criteria available to the applicant. Are you aware of this law?
Landlord Wilson Wharton
No I wasn’t your honor.
Judge Rudy
Now, this tells me you’re a landlord who doesn’t touch the bases because you’re too busy thinking bout home plate. You’re racing just like Rick to get that rental filled as fast as possible. My suggestion is that you read up on your state and local municipalities law’s before you start screening tenants.
Landlord Wilson Wharton
I’m sorry your honor. I’ll do that ASAP.
Renter Jim Jackson
I bet he didn’t read up on the Fair Housing laws neither!!! I want my money for being discriminated against!
[Gavel noise + crowd murmur]
Judge Rudy
Mr. Jackson. My courtroom is not a place for accusations... but finding the truth of the matter. Do you have any other evidence to present that would suggest you were discriminated against?
Renter Jim Jackson
No your honor but it’s obvious he doesn’t follow the law!
Judge Rudy
Mr. Jackson as far as your case of discrimination against Mr. Wharton... please tell your wife I said sorry Mrs. Jackson... and I am for real... and I never meant to make your daughter cry... and that I apologize a trillion times. You see a courtroom isn’t a place for anecdotal evidence. I need evidence and not your version of the truth.
Landlord Wilson Wharton
Thank you your honor!
[gavel noises]
Judge Rudy
I’m not finished Mr. Wharton. Now yes, I am going to dismiss the charges of $1,000 in this claim of discrimination. However, in the state of Texas if you charge a tenant an application fee to run a background check you must present them with a written notice of your tenant-selection-criteria. Since you rejected the applicant and failed to make your criteria known you must refund the application fee to Mr. Jackson. You got off lucky today but my suggestion is that you stop cutting corners and read up on the laws. My verdict is a payment of $50 to the plaintiff.
[gavel sound]
Narrator:
Well.. the honorable judge threw out the discrimination claim in a case of cutting corners but the plaintiff was still awarded $50. We’re going to toss this over to Steve and Eric to see what the guys in the RentPrep office think about this.