Mold is one of the most common and frustrating problems California landlords face. Between the state’s coastal humidity, seasonal rains, and older housing stock, mold issues can develop quickly – especially when a tenant doesn’t report water damage promptly. Because California treats mold as a habitability concern, landlords must understand their legal responsibilities, how to prevent…
Exclusions outline what your insurance policy does not cover. Carriers often exclude costly risks like earthquakes or those deemed the owner’s responsibility, such as wear and tear or mold. Insurance covers sudden, accidental damage, not gradual or preventable issues. Knowing which losses are typically excluded helps clarify retained risks and prevent coverage assumptions. Some exclusions…
The apartment industry is facing a complex landscape marked by economic uncertainties, technological disruptions, and evolving regulatory environments across the country. The top four uncertainties facing the rental housing industry are set out in a new in-depth study that shows how operators across the country are navigating them. No. 1 – Expense Levels During the…
More than two years of declining rents are sparking moving plans for many renters to gain space, save money or explore a new area, according to a new report from Realtor.com. Rent prices fell year over year for the 25th consecutive month in August, while also registering the first month-over-month drop since March 2025, signaling…
What are landlords supposed to do if and when ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) arrives at your rental property? According to ICE, their agents are tasked with “finding and deporting specific individuals based on existing deportation orders and criminal convictions.” Contrary to the hyperbole in the news, ICE says it “does not conduct raids or…
While challenges in the multifamily industry are inevitable, owners and operators can implement strategies to stay ahead of the game and overcome their effects. Anyone involved in the multifamily industry has witnessed the unique challenges this sector presents. Multifamily plays a vital role in providing housing solutions for individuals and families, which means the stakes…
Some landlords are changing how they set multifamily rents as a result of the U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit against RealPage alleging price-fixing on rents by landlords. At the Bisnow Southeast Summit in Atlanta, Kenneth Racowski, an antitrust lawyer and partner at Holland & Knight, said, “Many multifamily companies are moving away from RealPage products,…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is taking action against Invitation Homes, the country’s largest single-family rental landlord, for deceiving renters about rental costs, according to a release. The FTC complaint is seeking $48 million for an array of unlawful actions against consumers, including deceiving renters about lease costs, charging undisclosed junk fees, failing to inspect…
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have announced new tenant protections for residents in multifamily properties with mortgages backed by the two Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs), according to a release from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). The new multifamily lease standards policy requirement starting February 28, 2025 will require borrowers with new Enterprise-backed financing to provide residential tenants the…
Several EXTREMELY HARMFUL, proposed State Bills were able to make it out of Committees and are NOW up for “floor review” in their house of origin (Senate or Assembly). We need all members to call the state representatives in the districts where you own property and tell them to VOTE NO on the following destructive,…