Magazine Articles

 In October, the Board of Supervisors, by a veto-proof 9-2 margin, passed Board President and Supervisor David Chiu’s short-term rental legislation (aka “The Airbnb Law”.)  As expected, Mayor Lee signed the bill into law.  It takes effect in February 2015.

AOA Consultants get calls daily from our members with a variety of problems; some unfortunately after our owners are already in trouble.  Please use the below as a guide to easier management, money-saving ideas and to avoid potential legal problems in the New Year.   Our goal is your continued success!

I recently bought a little apartment complex up on Capital Hill.  While shopping for the right units to buy, I had the opportunity to walk through a good number of units in the SaltLake valley.  So as an investor, I got a recent first-hand look at some fatal landlord mistakes that may be costing you…

Treat landlording as a business. Develop a system and a set of written procedures for all steps in your rental process.

John F. Kennedy campaigned for president in 1960 by belittling Dwight Eisenhower’s three recessions and declaring, “We can do bettah.” He was right. In the 1960s, after the Kennedy tax cuts were implemented, prosperity returned, the economy grew by almost four percent

Underpriced                          When we talk about underpriced units, we are not hoping to somehow buy a $1,500,000 building for $1,350,000. Buildings like that are hard to find, but even if found don’t really make too much difference over the long term. Over a 30 or 40 year investment career, a ten percent discount on the…

Q:  My tenant prefers to communicate via email. He is moving out in a month and would like for me to email him the security deposit itemization directly. Am I allowed to send him the itemization by email?

Question 1:     Are there any new laws taking effect in 2015 affecting landlord-tenant issues?

 Question One: I advertise for “non-smoking” tenants only. Recently, a tenant started smoking marijuana which is bothering other tenants and a direct violation of the lease agreement. When I questioned the tenant, he produced a prescription which states he has a medical necessity to smoke marijuana. How should I handle this situation?

Happy New Year everyone!  As a reminder of your benefits, listed below are of some of the newer services from last year to help support you in making your business of providing housing for others more profitable, easier and more enjoyable.