By Becky Bower | ApplyConnect

2017 was undoubtedly a busy year for rental housing legislation. With bills like California’s immigrant housing protections and the City of Seattle’s ban on criminal records within background reports, you’ll start to feel the effects of these passed bills this year. Take a look at pending and future rental housing legislation that could affect properties across the U.S. in 2018, and be aware of legislative trends that surfaced last year. One prominent bill in one state could very easily turn up in another state down the road.

by Becky Bower | ApplyConnect

Let’s face it – physically collecting rental checks is outdated. It requires you to invest a lot of time into recording the payment into your tenant ledger, and standing in line at the bank to deposit it. This process doesn’t even include enforcing late fees, bounced check fees or any time spent talking to a tenant that doesn’t have the rent. Bring your rent collections into the future by switching to a convenient, easy, and hassle-free online solution in 2018.

Shared post by Elizabeth Millar | Appfolio

Property managers have to make some hard choices when they decide to establish rules for their rental units. According to a helpful report from Michigan State Extension, deciding to allow or prohibit pets might be one of those tough decisions. Before deciding, it’s a good idea to carefully examine the pros and cons of running a pet-friendly rental property.

By Kathy Fettke | Real Wealth Network

The new year began with new tax rules for residential and commercial real estate investors. It’s still too early to know the full impact of the legislation, but many tax professionals say that real estate investors and other property owners have hit the jackpot.

by Kenneth Ziskin, The Apartment Owners’ Estate Planning Attorney ^SM

Tax reform finally became law late in December, 2017, even though passage required it to give up its common name, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (“TCJA”).

For most of you, the TCJA will give with one hand, and take away with the other.  For some, the act will be a lump of coal, and taxes will, unfortunately, go up.  For others, the act will be a real Christmas present that brings real tax savings.  You probably cannot just intuitively figure out whether you got a real present or a lump of coal until you model your situation, and possible planning opportunities.

Many of the law’s provisions were not finalized, or even discussed, in committee, and we will not understand the full impact for months, or maybe even years.  But, while all tax professionals (including me) are trying to get a handle around the impacts of the TCJA, I want to try to give you an idea of some of the major impacts and a few planning implications.

BY: ATTORNEY MICHAEL MILLMAN

Over the last several years, there has been a great deal of discussion and notoriety about people making their homes available for short-term vacation rentals and possible home sharing situations. Originally conceived in San Francisco, Airbnb became incredibly popular. First, visiting university professors would make their homes available for short-term rentals whlle they were on sabbaticals or traveling to another university as a “guest professor.” In time, these vacation rental platforms became more popular than conventional motels and hotels. Home away became even more popular.

by Brian Gordon & Vincent Medina | Lotus Property Services

Is rent control coming to Pasadena? There is a new initiative that was just filed with the City of Pasadena City Clerk’s Office mid November. According to reports in the Pasadena News Now, a notice of intent to circulate a petition was signed by Pasadena housing activist Michelle C. White; Nicole Marie Hodgson, leader of the Pasadena Tenants Union; and 85-year-old Pasadena renter Robert Roberts.

by Jessica S. Weisman, Managing Partner of Client Education| Kimball, Tirey & St. John LLP

Many landlords often make the mistake of thinking that they do not need to worry about being up to date when it comes to fair housing law. “I’m an individual landlord” “I run a small operation” “I’m not a big fish” are common misconceptions. Regardless of property/company size, any landlord can find themselves on the wrong end of a fair housing claim and/or lawsuit.

Shared post by ApplyConnect

With wildfires burning throughout Southern California, it’s a good reminder to keep up fire safety standards this Holiday season. Although it’s unknown how the Ventura fire started, the negligent use of Christmas lights, lit candles and fireplaces, and greasy ovens have been known to be a tremendous safety hazard. During the holiday season a house fire is the last thing you need on your plate.

by Elaine Simpson | Occupancy Solutions, LLC

Forget about putting up signs or relying on word-of-mouth; social media is the modern way to make hundreds of people aware of, and learn about your products and services.  Up to 60% of apartment dwellers report that they found their rental through website listings and social media.