December 2011: Are You a Knowledgeable Landlord?

By Michael Mengden Wednesday, November 30, 2011

How would you rate yourself as a knowledgeable landlord? We thought we would put together a list of questions that landlords should know. It is and always will be, our policy to keep you intelligently informed on the business of owning investment property. That is the primary re...

November 2011: A Cash Reserve for Your Investment Property

By Michael Mengden Monday, October 31, 2011

You never know when something can happen that will require a large amount of cash, such as a disaster where the property is located, a major maintenance expense, an unexpectedly long vacancy, or a problem with a tenant that leads to legal action and damage. As your property mana...

October 2011: Landlords DO Have Rights

By Michael Mengden Friday, September 30, 2011

It often seems that a property owner does not have any rights and the tenants call all the shots, the courts only rule in favor of the tenant, and the attorneys end up with all the money. Just look at the multi-million dollar lawsuits that have happened regarding mold, lead-base...

September 2011:New Texas Smoke Alarm Law & Bedbugs

By Michael Mengden Wednesday, August 31, 2011

New Texas Law Regarding Smoke Alarms A new law was passed this last legislative session regarding the number and placement of smoke alarms in rental properties in Texas. In short the law attempted to make the requirements consistent throughout the state. It requires at least ...

August 2011: The Impact of URLTA

By Michael Mengden Sunday, July 31, 2011

Over the years, courts have made many rulings based on the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, URLTA. When faced with a difficult case between Landlord and Tenant, a judge will often consult the fine points of this Act before rendering a decision. Important Landlord/Ten...

July 2011: Pest Control and Your Investment

By Michael Mengden Thursday, June 30, 2011

Pests can be a problem any time during the year and are a common occurrence in the property management industry. If you check the dictionary, there are varying definitions for pests - here are three common ones. An insect or other small animal that harms or destroys garden...

June 2011: Is It Time to Revisit Your Insurance?

By Michael Mengden Tuesday, May 31, 2011

There have been incredible weather events happening all other the world - earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan, tornadoes throughout many states, and flooding along the Mississippi to name a few. Insurance is a necessity for investment property. You pay with the hope that you will ...

May 2011: Beware of Retaliation

By Michael Mengden Saturday, April 30, 2011

Fair Housing law defines retaliation as an act of harm by the owner, manager, or agent against a resident or applicant because that resident or applicant has asserted their fair housing rights. This important legislation protects the right of the applicant, resident, prospective...

April 2011: What IS a Rental Emergency? & Market Update

By Michael Mengden Thursday, March 31, 2011

What IS a Rental Emergency? It is important to understand what a rental emergency is. Depending on whose perspective it is, whether it can be owner, tenant, vendor, or property manager, it can mean different things when it happens. The definition from Wikipedia is An...

March 2011: Carbon Monoxide - the Silent Killer

By Michael Mengden Monday, February 28, 2011

Carbon monoxide is another area of risk management that has been creating new laws in many states. Currently, at least twenty-five (25) states have legislation on carbon monoxide detectors requirements. Please note that various states have different requirement in their laws. Fe...