Monday, April 22, 2013

Lawmakers Write Bedbug Bill with Tenants and Landlords


Add Connecticut to the list of states that are trying to pass new laws to aid in the fight against bedbug infestations in rentals. To make sure the bill was written in fairness to both parties, Connecticut lawmakers met with both landlord and tenant legal representatives to hash out the details. If the bill passes the state Senate, both tenants and landlords would have some responsibility in ridding a rental home of a nasty bedbug invasion.

The bill calls for tenants to act responsibly by reporting any bedbug infestations immediately to their landlords. The tenants would also be responsible for preparing the living space for treatment by certified professionals. In turn, the landlords would be responsible for covering the cost of treatments until the pests are eradicated from the property. However, if the tenants do not cooperate with providing access to a qualified exterminator, they would have to assume the cost of treatments. The bill includes legal ramifications if either party does not comply.

Landlords also would not be able to rent out a home if they know it is infested with bedbugs, and has not yet been treated. They also have to inform prospective tenants of any treatments that occurred in the past 60 days.




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Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Landlords Find Boa Constrictor in Rental


Last week, landlords in Indiana received a shock when they discovered a four-foot boa constrictor curled up in the bathroom of a recently vacated apartment. Thankfully, animal control officials were able to retrieve the snake and relocate it to a wildlife refuge area. 

Most landlords and property owners have no problem allowing tenants to live with cats or dogs in their rental unit, as long as there is full disclosure at the time of lease signing. However, perhaps not as many landlords are giving enough thought as to whether or not to allow exotic pets. Have you considered the liabilities that could come with having residents who don’t properly care for them?  For example, some exotic pets carry diseases that can transfer to humans, so do your homework before you allow anything.

Also, before you allow a tenant to keep any pet on your property, make sure it is legal. Some states have laws banning certain primates or big cats from being raised in captivity by private citizens. You should always stipulate in your lease agreement which pets are acceptable – dogs, cats, fish, snakes up to a certain size, etc. 

Don’t forget to also include a pet deposit requirement in the lease agreement. An extra $100 deposit will come in very handy if you have to call in the animal control specialists once the tenant vacates!



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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Landlords Regret Reality TV Rentals


Recently, a New York property owner rented his Hamptons home to a reality TV show and now alleges the home was destroyed during filming. The homeowners are seeking unspecified monetary damages from the production company amid their claims the furniture, fixtures, and landscaping were all ruined by the reality tenants.

Troubled actress Lindsay Lohan also allegedly found herself in hot water with a landlord. Lohan agreed to let a Bravo network reality show redecorate the home she was renting.  The renovations reportedly cost Bravo $200,000. The actress has been rumored to have many financial issues with IRS, and now some gossip columnists claim Lohan fell behind on her rent and was evicted from the property before the makeover was completed.  Perhaps the landlord should have conducted a more thorough tenant screening of Lohan’s financial situation?

While these landlords might argue renting to a reality television show was more trouble than it’s worth, others might disagree. Some rental properties featured on hit television shows could mean big bucks for property owners. For example, the beachside home made famous by MTV’s Jersey Shore fetched between $2500-to-$4000-a-night after the show became hugely popular.  

Landlords: Would you ever rent out your property for a reality TV show? Why or why not? Comment below!



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