Does your tenant have a criminal background?

If you don’t know how or where to check these records you may not be getting accurate or complete information. It’s important to know for sure, as the property manager, landlord or owner could be held responsible for renting to someone with a criminal background.

If there are any criminal activities directly or indirectly affecting other tenants the owner or property manager can be, and has in previous legal battles, been held accountable for tenant actions. Doing complete and accurate research serves as your protection.

For additional information on this and other renting articles, please visit our web site at http://www.mrpmrentals.com/

Your Boise Property Management Rental Resource

Why Prohibit Smoking?

Allowing smoking at your rental property can be a cause of complaints by your non-smoking tenants. Drifting smoke to, or inside of, a non smoking unit or the simple spread of the smell to a non smoking unit can be a source of problems. This can also cause a renter to require you, as the owner or manager, to move them to a smoke free unit at your expense. If the tenant is disabled or has health issues of any kind being subjected to second hand smoke can cause a habitability issue. Reading up on the Fair Housing Guidelines learning your states habitability rules can be especially helpful.
Aside from these issues, the cost of cleaning and repairs are saved when requiring your property to be non smoking. Non-smoking means to not allow smoking of any kind inside or outside the property. A smoking tenant, including their guests, must be located completely off of the property at all times when smoking.

For additional information on this and other renting articles, please visit our web site at http://www.mrpmrentals.com

Your Boise Property Management Rental Resource

Appliance Installation

Many installers or those in home repair don’t think to mention items that need to take into consideration when remodeling or updating your home or rental property. These items can save you thousands of dollars in repair and or replacement costs. Ask your property manger to check for the following items making sure your rental property is safe and maintained correctly.
When having an appliance installed, be sure it can be removed easily for service. Flexible hook-ups for dishwashers and gas ranges can make repair jobs less labor intensive. Also, leave extra electric cable when installing electric wall ovens and cook tops. This will minimize the time the technician spends on the job and reduce the cost to you.
Dishwashers
If your kitchen floor is being installed or replaced, make sure that the floor beneath the dishwasher is the same height as the open area of flooring. Once installed, there may not be enough clearance to remove the dishwasher for servicing. The only alternative will be to lift the whole countertop off of the cupboards to remove the dishwasher, a needless expense.
Wall Ovens
When installing a wall oven below countertop level; be aware that small children could be exposed to a burn hazard. Wall ovens do not have to conform to the same temperature standards that regular ranges do. This is because they are designed to be installed above counter height.
Washing Machines
When installing a washing machine, be sure water shut-offs can be reached easily. Also ensure the water hoses are anti burst and are long enough to remove the appliance when necessary. A floor drain may also be necessary should the water pump or motor fail.
For safety, never leave an appliance operating when you are not home.
For additional information on this and other renting articles, please visit our web site at http://www.mrpmrentals.com/
Your Boise Property Management Rental Resource

Collection At Tax Time

As a property manager, you took an ex-tenant to court for non-payment and were awarded a victory and now you want payment. This also may be a requirement due to the contract agreement with the owner of the property. But, despite your faithful attempts at collections of this judgment you have been unable to do so and now your only recourse is to forgive the debt which is passed on to the owner.
Here is a thought to help collect and soothe the owner at the same time. The Internal Revenue Service treats these uncollected funds as debt forgiveness and you can send a 1099-MISC IRS form to the renter for the amount of the uncollected rent. Property Management Companies are required to mail a copy of the amount of funds past due to the last known address (which may be your rental address) prior to January 31st, then send a notice to the IRS and let them take action. It doesn't matter if the notice is received as long as one is mailed. Mail this certified mail and retain the receipt of mailing for your records. On April 15th, the IRS will match up the 1099-MISC tax form to the renter’s taxes and ask for more tax money. They technically received a month's free rent and will be required to pay the IRS taxes on the unreported money. This money is regarded as income to them.
The negative (sort of) aspect of this scenario is that after sending the notice to the IRS you no longer have any legal recourse to collect the rent and neither does the owner. In many instances people may not want the IRS to know about the unpaid judgment especially if they are collecting public assistance making your chance of collecting much higher.
Notify the tenant you will be mailing a 1099-MISC to the IRS within ten days if payment is not received. Consider adding this as a company policy to the lease agreement. This inspires many renters to make their payments to avoid such notice.

For additional information on this and other renting articles, please visit our web site at http://www.mrpmrentals.com/
Mountain Ridge Property Management
Your Property Management Source

Energy Saving Tips for Tenants and Landlords

1. Change light bulbs: Compact fluorescent bulbs use far less energy than incandescent and using the fluorescent lights last approximately 10 times longer.
2. Computers go to sleep when not in use: Settings can be adjusted to automatically go into sleep mode when not in use after 10-15 minutes. Noticeably reducing energy bills.
3. Take advantage of the sun: Open window blind shades with Southern and Eastern exposure during the day. Closing the window coverings just before the temperature begins to drop outside. This allows the sun to provide heat without the energy costs.
4.  Purchase an energy efficient heating system: Look for Energy Star Models for replacement of a  residential heating system; these are the most economical energy cost saving systems on the market. This is typically the responsibility of the property manager or landlord.
5. Heat up the house: The house won’t warm up any faster if you raise the thermostat setting. Home heating systems run at the same rate regardless of the temperature setting.
6. Maintain the heating system: Residential gas furnaces will run more efficiently and will last longer if the heating system is serviced annually. Cleaning or replacing the filters monthly is the responsibility of the tenant. Annual servicing is typically the responsibility of the property manager or landlord.
7. Use ceiling fans: The use of ceiling fans increase air movement and comfort levels which saves money. Changing the ceiling fan direction to counter-clockwise in the winter will push the warm air down into to the living space. Shut off the ceiling fans with lights during daylight hours also saves in utility bills.
8. Keep the doors closed: Shut the doors after opening to restrict the cold air from entering saves on utility bills. This also applies in the summer with keeping the heat outside.
9. Rearrange your rooms: Exterior walls feel colder and residences with older windows can be drafty. Rearranging your furniture by placing seating (couches, high back chairs etc.) near interior walls – that way you won’t “feel” the cold as much. Close closets and cabinets especially ones that are on exterior walls. These steps will not only make the home more comfortable but also energy saving. 10. Caulking and weather stripping: A major dollar saving task is window caulking, weather stripping, interior door sweeps and garage door sweeps. These are low cost, easy to install and will lower utility bills by preventing drafts. This is typically the responsibility of the property manager or landlord.
11. High efficiency windows: Replace current windows with vinyl windows under the Energy Star brand. This will reduce heating and cooling energy costs up to 15%. Replacing a window is relatively simple and the window replacement cost will be recouped in utility bill savings in a few short months. This is typically the responsibility of the property manager or landlord.
12. Don’t let the heat go up the chimney: Close the chimney damper. Closing the damper will stop the heat from being pulled out of the room and up the chimney. Keep the fireplace chimney clean and closed when not in use.
13. Turn off the furnace pilot light: During the summer months when the furnace is not in use the cost to keep the pilot light lit runs from $2.50 $4.50 per month. Shut off the pilot light when not being used.
14. Install a programmable thermostat: Allows the thermostat to be lowered when not at home or at night. You can also preset the thermostat to come on prior to returning home in the evening.  Returning to a preset daytime setting when you are home for any length of time. This is typically the responsibility of the property manager or landlord.
15. Proper Insulation: Ensure the walls and attic are properly insulated this will provide maximum savings and energy efficiency for many years. Checking for sales or specials on your purchases will also lower your costs. This is typically the responsibility of the property manager or landlord.
16. Use appliances efficiently: Do full loads in the clothes washer and dishwasher. Use cold water settings for clothing when possible. thereby reducing energy usage by 75%. Try to use these appliances late at night for maximum water pressure.

For additional information on this and other renting articles please visit our website at http://www.mrpmrentals.com/