Essential Compliance Do’s And Don’ts For Landlords
Are you planning on investing in rental properties in Portland OR, or elsewhere in the area? If so, understanding the compliance dues and don’ts for landlords is essential because, one compliance violation can be very costly.
In this article, we’ll share with you several dues and don’ts for landlords that you should know when managing the rental property, yourself.
Do: Empower Yourself with Knowledge Of State And Local Housing Laws
Since the 1970s, the Fair Housing Act has been the cornerstone of housing laws in the United states because it prohibits discrimination that’s based on religion, color, race, or sex. What’s also important is that it prohibits discrimination based on family status, disability, or national origin as well.
Thankfully, researching fair housing laws in the 2020’s is easy because, spending an hour per month researching the latest news regarding the fair housing laws can save owners.
the time, money and hassle having to end up in court due to a fair housing violation.
When considering the tenant screening in accordance with the fair housing laws, it’s important for every landlord to avoid discriminatory language in their advertisement’s comma adopt the same screening process for all tenants and make sure that their process for selecting the most qualified tenants is the same across the board.
It’s also important to make sure that the same security deposit is required for all prospective tenants regardless of their race or national origin. Landlords should also not refuse to rent to families or children or deny any reasonable accommodation to prospective tenants who may have disabilities.
Do: Know Your Local Rent Control Laws
Rent control regulations can significantly impact your rental property’s profitability. Some cities or states have laws that limit how much landlords can increase rent each year, particularly in areas with high housing demand. It’s essential to understand whether your property is subject to rent control and how these laws affect rent increases, lease renewals, and tenant evictions.
Best Practice:
Stay informed about changes to local rent control laws. If your property is subject to rent control, ensure that all rent increases are within the legal limits and provide tenants with proper notice as required.
The good news is that in today’s world it’s easy to stay on top of the local rent control laws and not miss any updates especially if you subscribe to news outlets services that send you the latest updates regarding changes to the laws directly to your inbox.
Don’t: Evict Tenants Without Proper Cause and Process
Eviction is a legal process that requires strict adherence to state and local laws. Landlords cannot simply lock tenants out or remove their belongings without following the proper procedures. Most states require landlords to provide tenants with written notice before beginning the eviction process, which may range from 3 to 30 days, depending on the reason for eviction.
Prohibited Actions:
- Evicting tenants in retaliation for filing complaints about the property
- Evicting without cause if the tenant is within the lease period.
- Self-help evictions (e.g., changing the locks or shutting off utilities)
Best Practice:
When evicting a tenant, ensure you have a legitimate reason, such as nonpayment of rent or violating the lease agreement. Serve the proper legal notice, and if the tenant doesn’t comply, file for an eviction through the court system. Avoid retaliatory evictions, as these are illegal in many states.
Do: Maintain Proper Documentation
Keeping detailed records of all transactions and communications related to your rental property is crucial for ensuring compliance and protecting yourself in case of disputes. Important documents include:
- Lease agreements
- Rent payment records.
- Maintenance and repair receipts
- Inspection reports
- Communication with tenants (e.g., email, written notices)
Best Practice:
Establish a reliable system for tracking and organizing all relevant paperwork. Digital property management software, for example, can streamline the process by automating rent collection, maintenance requests, and lease renewals while keeping records accessible and organized.
Thankfully, there are a wide variety of reputable online software platforms that you can use to keep your rentals organized and efficient. Conversely, if you are tired of managing your rental properties yourself, you may want to consider hiring a property manager to take the heavy lifting off your shoulders.
Don’t: Overlook Lead Paint Disclosure Requirements
If your rental property was built before 1978, you are legally required to provide tenants with a lead-based paint disclosure form and pamphlet. Lead paint, which can pose serious health risks, is commonly found in older homes, and failure to disclose its presence can lead to substantial penalties.
Ensuring that your rental property is free of lead paint is vital in 2024, because older homes that contain lead paint, asbestos and other harmful chemicals can lead to serious health damage to your tenants and potential financial repercussions for you as well.
Prohibited Actions:
- Renting a property without disclosing known lead paint hazards
- Failing to provide tenants with the EPA-approved lead-based paint pamphlet.
Best Practice:
Have your property inspected for lead-based paint and ensure compliance with all disclosure requirements. Keep a signed copy of the lead disclosure form in your records for each tenant.
Conclusion
Maintaining compliance with rental property laws requires diligent attention to detail and a thorough understanding of local, state, and federal regulations. By following these do’s and avoiding common pitfalls, landlords can minimize legal risks, foster positive tenant relationships, and ensure the long-term success of their rental business. From understanding fair housing laws to maintaining habitable conditions and properly handling security deposits, each compliance aspect plays a vital role in responsible property management.
Contact Us
At Rent Portland homes professionals, we take pride in having decades of combined property management experience in the Portland OR area that saves busy landlords the time, money, and hassle of managing their rental properties themselves.
Founded by Fred Marlow SR, our property management company takes pride in offering excellent service to our tenants, ensuring that they can earn a high return on investment from their rental properties.
In today’s busy rental market, that’s constantly changing, it’s imperative that landlords have an experienced property management partner like us because, we also stand on top of the latest property management laws, rules, and regulations so that our owner clients don’t have to. If you’re ready to take your property management to the next level, contact us today for a free property management quote by calling us (503) 646-9664 or click here to connect with us online.
We look forward to earning your business and helping you to enjoy the passive income that could come from owning rental properties.
