5 Helpful Tips for Landlords

Posted on February 10, 2012 by admin

Being a Landlord can be an enjoyable way to make money, but it can also easily become a complicated legal hassle. Here are some easy tips for Landlords to follow that will help strengthen your relationship with tenants, prevent disputes, and help you to be well prepared for any issues that do arise.

Always Screen Your Tenants: In order to avoid problems and to be more confident in the reliability of the tenants you choose, it is important to check their history and credibility. It is important to always call references, look into their background, check credit history, and get ID to be sure they are providing you with the correct information. If you fail to do this you could miss some important information that would have influenced your decision to rent to the tenant. Use their rental application to screen them well and be sure to include any questions that will be relevant to your decision such as information on their rental history. Lastly, be creative. Use Facebook or Google as tools to learn about an applicant. You can learn a lot about them from these sources and a few minutes on the Internet could save you a lot of hassle in the future.

Always have proof: Having everything in writing and being specific about the details on the lease are both very important. It your agreement is in writing and signed there is no disputing it. The lease should include any topics or issues that may come up throughout the time of the lease such as dictating responsibilities, the term of the agreement, the amount of rent and dates it is due as well as the process for handling late payment or bounced checks. Having the specifics in writing will provide you with proof that tenants agreed to the terms and provide you with a way to settle any disputes that may arise. If you send a notice it is important to have proof that it was sent so if the tenant later claims they did not receive the notice, you can prove it was sent. A good way to do this is to use certified mail so you have a copy for yourself as well.

  Keep up with maintenance and repairs: It is important to fix any necessary repairs that come up during the lease and to be timely and precise about any repairs. This is important for a number of reasons, it will help you to keep good tenants around as well as keep your property up to date and ready for the next tenant with minimal maintenance. This will also prevent injuries and possible legal issues in the future. If your tenant requests a repair that you neglect and is later injured because of your neglect, this could result in difficult legal issues. It is important to remember that you are the owner of the property and responsible for its upkeep.

Provide notice before entering: Many tenants are specific about their right to privacy. 
You may own the property but they are paying you for the rights to reside in it – making it “their home.” When you notify your tenants that you plan to enter the apartment try to provide at least 24 hours of notice and to arrange your visit around their schedule. Many tenants do not feel comfortable with the Landlord entering the apartment while they are out so be sure to check with them before just dropping in.

Obtain insurance: 
It is important to purchase property insurance in order to minimize your liability. A good insurance plan could save you a lot of time and money in the future. It can protect you from lawsuits as well as accidents such as fires or burglary. There are many different packages and you can speak with an insurance agent to find the one that is best for you.

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What You Should Do If You Are Involved In A Car Accident

Posted on January 18, 2012 by admin

No matter what time of year it is, thousands of people are involved in some sort of traffic accident.  If you end up being one of these unfortunate people, will you know what to do after you have been involved in the accident?  It should be known that being educated on what you should after you are involved in an accident can prevent further injuries and reduce costs.

Therefore, if you are involved in a traffic accident, try to remain calm, but also consider these three following post-accident tips:

Always Safety First

Those involved in minor accidents with no serious injuries should immediately move their vehicles out of oncoming traffic and to the side of the road. In fact, if you leave your car in the middle of the road or in a busy intersection you can accumulate additional injuries. If your vehicle is incapable of being moved, you and your passengers should remain in your vehicle with your seatbelts fastened until help arrives. Always make sure to turn on your hazard lights.

Swap Information

Immediately after an accident you and whoever else involved should swap the following information: name, address, phone number, all of your insurance information, as well as your driver license and license plate number. Also, try to write a description of each car always including the year, make, model, and color.  Record the precise location of the accident and how it occurred. Finally, remember to be polite, but don’t inform anyone that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.

Know What Your Insurance Covers

Know what your insurance does and does not cover because, for example, you may never know when you’ll need a replacement car—you could be unlucky and your insurance won’t cover it.  Inevitably, the entire insurance process will be much easier if you know the details of your coverage.

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6 Things To Remember If You Are Charged With A Crime

Posted on December 5, 2011 by admin

When you are charged with a crime (especially if it is misdemeanor or felony) you have certain rights. The two most important rights you have are the right to remain silent and the right to have a lawyer present at all times.

You should always be conscious of these rights and remember them. They apply not only after you have been charged with a crime, but also even if you are suspected of having committed a crime. Therefore, if you are being arrested or interrogated, always invoke your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney—never try to answer questions from the police on your own.

The most important things to remember when you have been charged or think you will be charged with a crime are:

  1. Be conscious of your rights.
  2. Be polite and courteous to the police and court—they MUST respect your right to remain silent if you choose to exercise it.
  3. Make arrangements for bail as soon as possible. You may use the services of a bondsman or you may post bail with your own money, real estate, or even that of a friend. Registered bondsmen may charge for posting bail. However, if you use your own money, real estate, or that of a friend when you have complied with all appearances and the trial is completed, your money will be returned and the real estate will no longer be subject to you appearing in court.
  4. Do not give up the right to a preliminary hearing unless your lawyer advises you to.
  5. Listen to and trust in your lawyer. If you are told not to discuss your case with anyone, follow the advice.
  6. If you are arrested for driving under the influence, you may be asked to take a breath, blood, or urine test. You have the right to refuse these tests, but if you do you will lose your driver’s license for one year. The police officer should tell you that you do not have a right to have a lawyer present or to discuss the request for a test with a lawyer prior to the time that you must answer the request.
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