Maximize Your Rental Benefits

 Discover strategies and insider tips to unlock maximum benefits from your rental unit, from maximizing amenities to leveraging tenant rights and securing your deposit.

1. Find out what the rental market is for your area. Good tools to use to learn about market rents include Rentometer, Zillow Rent Zestimate, Zumper, and other rental sites.

2. Check out the For Rent Ads and go to Open Houses to determine what tenants are getting for the rental price so you know how to fix up your unit. Your cost will be dependent on whether you are renting a room or renting out an entire unit such as a studio or 1Bd of a duplex or triplex.

3. Find a Great Tenant. Check your local landlord-tenant laws and Fair Housing Act to avoid breaking the law or discriminating against a tenant when placing your Rental Ads and with tenant screening.

Be sure to develop a, ‘Rental Criteria,’ so that everyone is treated equally. Determine a maximum occupancy for the unit. Do you allow 1-2 adults? How many children? And what about pets? Cat OK? Dog No? or… you decide ahead of time.

Next, what will you charge for the rental application fee? What is the minimum credit score you will accept? Determine the monthly rent and the security deposit.

The Rental Process  
a. Learn about your local Landlord-Tenant Laws and possible Rent Control Rules.

b. Complete a signed rental application and run a credit report for each adult.

c. Once the prospective tenant has passed the application process and screening criteria, determine move in date and the term for residence. Do you want a month to month lease? A six month lease? Or an annual lease?

d. Both parties then complete and sign the Rental Agreement. Go online and check out these forms in your local area: rental application and lease agreement for your area.

e. Have your attorney review the documents.

👉 With the right legal support, rental challenges become manageable. Protect your rental investments, prevent costly disputes, and ensure your rights as a landlord or tenant are always secure