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Since 1984, I have lived primarily in San Francisco.  Before I moved to my home in Oakland in 2004 I lived in a one bedroom apartment in a 12-unit building at the top of Russian Hill – one block from the “crookedest street in the world”.  When I moved, I was paying $640 in monthly…

Question One: My tenant has just given me notice that he will be vacating in 30 days. He is currently on a one-year lease which will not expire until June, 2016. He informs me that since his place of employment is relocating, he has the right to have an early termination of the lease. Is…

Chicago, Carl Sandburg’s “City of the big shoulders,” is about to find out just how heavy a tax burden homeowners are able to bear. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has revealed his plan for a massive property tax increase to pay for unfunded pension obligations. And for taxpayers, it isn’t pretty. The mayor wants a $543 million…

The following media release was issued by Ohio’s 1851 Center for Constitutional Lawregarding a recent decision in US District Court upholding the 4th Amendmentto the US Constitution – a big victory for rental property owners in Ohio!  Federal Court:  Cities’ Rental Licensing and Inspection Requirements Unconstitutional

Hello everybody.  With the recent soaring cost of litigation, including court fees, attorneys’ fees, court reporter fees, deposition transcript fees, etc., aggrieved parties, and particularly apartment and other small business owners, now wisely endeavor to avoid judicial litigation in favor of alternative dispute resolution proceedings.  Both plaintiffs and defendants frequently find that mediation and/or binding…

You’re right… House prices have gone up – A LOT – in your area. I know it. You don’t have to tell me. I see it, too.

A power of attorney (POA) is a writing giving someone else the power to act as agent for the grantor.  The person granting the powers is called the “principal.”  The agent is called the attorney-in-fact. 

 Council Adopts Urgency Ordinance Prohibiting Rent Increases over 8% and No Cause Evictions for 65 Days

Perhaps the most important precursor to signing a lease agreement is the proper completion of a property condition checklist PRIOR to your tenant’s move-in.  The checklist is required to document the property’s condition, without which a rental owner [may have a difficult time] legally collecting or withholding any deposit money from the tenant.

Every year, about 60 days out from year end, I ask if people are planning to move in the upcoming year. This year only one said yes (he’s leaving the Coast Guard and moving home.) I had his space rented more than 60 days before his lease is up, so that was good! And this…