Top Ten Tax Deductions for Landlords 

Learn about the many tax deductions available to rental property owners.

Every year, millions of landlords pay more taxes on their rental income than they have to. Why? Because they fail to take advantage of all the tax deductions available for owners of rental property. Rental real estate provides more tax benefits than almost any other investment.

Often, these benefits make the difference between losing money and earning a profit on a rental property. Here are the top ten tax deductions for owners of small residential rental property.

1. Interest


2. Depreciation


3. Repairs


4. Local Travel


5. Long Distance Travel


6. Home Office


7. Employees and Independent Contractors


8. Casualty and Theft Losses


9. Insurance


10. Legal and Professional Services

Read the full article at nolo.com.

Property Management Video Tips 

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9 Tips to Repairing Your Credit to Purchase a Home

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Paul's First Rental Home Purchased Over 20 Years Ago

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Choosing Tenants: Avoid Fair Housing Complaints and Lawsuits 

Antidiscrimination laws limit the tenants you can accept and reject.

Federal and state antidiscrimination laws limit what you can say and do in the tenant selection process. When choosing tenants, keep in mind the following best practices.

1. Check credit, income, and references


2. Make decisions based on business reasons


3. Understand fair housing rules


4. Train your staff to understand the rules, too


5. Be consistent

Read the full article at nolo.com.

Rental Property Photos 

How to Advertise Your Rental Property 

Use several advertising methods when you list your property for rent.

You can advertise your rental property in many different ways. The kind of advertising that will work best depends on a number of factors, including the characteristics of the particular property, its location, your budget, and whether you are in a hurry to rent. Many landlords and property managers choose a combination of the following advertising methods to get the best results.

1. "For Rent" Signs


2. Newspaper Ads


3. Neighborhood Flyers


4. Online Listings


5. Homefinders' or Apartment-Finding Services


6. Word of Mouth


7. University or Corporate Housing Offices


8. Real Estate Offices


9. Property Management Companies


10. Print Rental Magazines

Read the full article at nolo.com.

Property Management Books 

The Rental Property Manager's Toolbox: A Complete Guide Including Pre-Written Forms, Agreements, Letters, And Legal Notices: With Companion CD-ROM

by Jamaine Burrell

Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 10/13/2008)

Property Management for Dummies

by Robert S., MBA Griswold

Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 10/13/2008)

Property Management

by Robert Kyle

Amazon Price: $43.76 (as of 10/13/2008)

The Property Management Tool Kit

by Mike Beirne

Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 10/13/2008)

Opportunities in Property Management Careers (Opportunities in)

by Mariwyn Evans

Amazon Price: $11.96 (as of 10/13/2008)

Ten Terms To Include in Your Lease or Rental Agreement 

What should be included in every lease or rental agreement.

A lease or rental agreement sets out the rules landlords and tenants agree to follow in their rental relationship. It is a legal contract, as well as an immensely practical document full of crucial business details, such as how long the tenant can occupy the property and the amount of rent due each month. Whether the lease or rental agreement is as short as one page or longer than five, typed or handwritten, it needs to cover the basic terms of the tenancy.

Here are some of the most important items to cover in your lease or rental agreement.

1. Names of all tenants


2. Limits on occupancy


3. Term of the tenancy


4. Rent


5. Deposits and fees


6. Repairs and maintenance


7. Entry to rental property


8. Restrictions on tenant illegal activity


9. Pets


10. Other Restrictions

Read the full article at nolo.com.

Property Management News 

From Google News

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Top Ten Legal Mistakes That Can Sink Your Landlord Business 

Know the laws in your state before you rent out space.

Being a successful landlord requires lots of practical know-how, business moxie, and familiarity with the market. Until about 30 years ago, the law didn't have much to do with it. Now, however, federal law and most states closely regulate nearly every aspect of your business. Not knowing the rules can land you in lots of legal hot water.

1. Using Generic or Outdated Lease Forms


2. Asking the Wrong Questions During Applicant Screening


3. Setting Policies that Discriminate Against Families


4. Making Promises That You Don't Deliver On


5. Charging Excessive Late Fees


6. Violating Tenants' Rights to Privacy


7. Using Security Deposits for the Wrong Projects


8. Ignoring Dangerous Conditions In and Around the Rental


9. Keeping Security Deposits When Tenants Break a Lease


10. Failing to Return Security Deposits According to Law

Read the full article on nolo.com.

Property Management in the Blogosphere 

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