SF Landlords Sentenced to 4 Years In Jail

Last month, two married California landlords were sentenced to four years in jail after being convicted of several reckless acts aimed at evicting and scaring their tenants. The crimes took place over a two-year span, and led the couple to become dubbed, “Landlords from Hell.”

The district attorney in San Francisco said the landlords harassed their tenants by cutting off power and phone service, changing locks, and illegally removing and/or destroying their belongings. They even were charged with soaking the victims’ clothes and electronics in ammonia and using a chainsaw to cut a hole in the floor of one tenant’s unit. They also severed floor joists in hopes of making the building unsafe, and hoping it would ultimately it collapse under the tenants.

The duo also sent fraudulent emails pretending to be their victims. The emails were aimed at making it appear as though the tenants were threatening to kill the landlords’ children.

Authorities say the motive behind the attacks was all due to the landlords wanting to renovate the rental units and sell them off individually. However, California has strict laws regarding the harassment of tenants by landlords, and prohibits the eviction of tenants without just cause.

For more landlord tips or to get the best background check, visit ATS Inc’s website today!

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What people REALLY want in a vacation rental

This week, we’ve discussed how to pick the ideal location for those real estate investors interested in buying a vacation home, and what costs to consider. Today, we’ll examine what qualities tenants are looking for in a great vacation rental.

Privacy

Many people will choose a rental home over a hotel because they don’t want to be away from the crowds. Vacation homes without noisy elevators or private pool can be quite attractive to renters looking for some peace and quiet.

Space

Offer as many sleeping areas as possible without making the home too crowded. Pullout couches, trundles, bunk beds are great ways to increase the likelihood of renters because you can appeal to bigger-sized groups. Some people also prefer a rental property with a fully functioning kitchen so they can cook their own meals, or an outdoor space where they can barbeque and let their children play.

Renters like extra beds in vacation properties

Amenities

Vacationers want to hit the “easy” button when they arrive to a retreat for several days. So, having on-site laundry, free wi-fi, functioning kitchen appliances, and good parking are all big plusses. Also, being near a bus route, bike trail, or having a community gym can be very attractive property features. The more qualities you can offer, the more likely your rental will have high occupancy rates all year long.

Visit our homepage today to find out why ATS Inc. is the best background check choice for landlords, property managers, real estate investors and agents.

Networking with other Property Owners

There are so many ways for landlords and property managers to network with each other via various internet channels. Why should you want to stay connected with other rental industry experts?  Here are just a few ways that networking can enhance your real estate investment business:

Keeping Vacancies Minimal

Nowadays, you can utilize social media networks and certain internet group forums to advertise a rental unit to a massive audience. If you are connected to other property managers and real estate professionals on social media, they can share your rental listing with their followers, expanding your reach even more. The more people who view your rental property online, the better the chances are of renting it out quickly.

Online Groups Help you Get Answers

There are many groups on sites like LinkedIn, Google+ or Facebook geared specifically for landlords, property managers, real estate professionals, etc. If you sign up and join these groups, you’ll be able to get tons of free advice from other industry experts. You can get ideas on various topics, from how to stage a small space, to how new laws might affect the terms of your lease agreements.

Establish Yourself as An Expert

Networking with other property management insiders can also help build your credibility as an expert within the rental industry as you offer advice to others. You can also answer questions in group forums, or share things you’ve learned  from your tenants. You can also offer to guest blog for another website, and reach out to a new audience who wasn’t familiar with your business or properties.

For more info on how to successfully network with other landlords , or to get the best credit report for landlords, visit ATS Inc’s website.

ATS Inc. = Best Background Check for Landlords

This year American Tenant Screen, or ATS Inc., celebrates our 25^th year in business as the best background check service provider on the web! We are proud that we've been around this long, and boast that we were the first tenant screening service provider with an internet presence in the late 1990’s.

ATS Inc.’s website  is extremely user-friendly because we offer reports for landlords 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year .We are also extremely proud of our rating A+ with the Better Business bureau.

http://www.alwaysscreen.com

In addition to tenant credit checks, we offer free lease forms, tons of landlord advice, and a several choices to help you get the most comprehensive renters background check. You can decide if you want your tenant screening to include eviction checks, sex offender reports and much more!

Thanks again for making us the best choice for new landlords, property managers, real estate investors and agents!!!

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