BILLS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATURE – RESERVE NOW!

Multiple bills pertaining to foreclosures, one pertaining to tenants who are domestic violence victims, and one seeking to restructure and reduce the outrageous eviction filing fees, have been introduced in Tallahassee. These bills, if passed, will have a direct effect on how you do business. The effect may be negative or may be positive, but it will have an effect for sure. Either way, unless you get involved with the process, you may not be happy with the outcome. The Florida Apartment Association (FAA) and the Florida Association of Residential Property Managers (FARPM) will be holding their Legislative Days on March 24 and March 25 in Tallahassee.  

Contact FAA or FARPM

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COURT ETIQUETTE

That dreaded day has come, and it is time to go to court. Possibly it is a slam dunk eviction or a convoluted security deposit dispute. Either way, you will need to appear before a judge who has complete authority over the situation. You may be present with your attorney, you may be handling it on your own, and you and/or your opponent may have witnesses. It can be intimidating for even the most seasoned landlord. The key is to make sure you know what is going to happen and what the judge expects.  A county court judge must make a decision, and how you appear to the judge could have an impact on the final result.

Click here  for more info on the dreaded day in court.

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IDENTITY THEFT PART 2 – PROTECTING YOUR RESIDENT ELECTRONIC INFORMATION

You’re very careful about your resident paper files.  They are kept secure under lock and key with very limited access.  You have a paper shredder and use it faithfully for any disposed documents with resident personal information.  Your mail and drop box are secure.  You’ve done your part to protect your residents’ information.  Maybe not.  What about the electronic files? 

Click here for more info on Protecting Electronic Information.

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THE PET APPLICATION – DO YOU HAVE ONE?

The applicant pays the pet fee and signs the pet addendum stating he has a 25 pound terrier. Three months later, you discover the tenant has a 40 pound growling, drooling Pit Bull Terrier. Did the tenant lie on his application? No. What is the problem here? Could this have been avoided? YOU BET, but it takes a drastic change in your procedures.

Click here for some pet application tips.

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APPLICATION DEPOSITS – TO RETURN OR NOT TO RETURN

Managers and leasing teams invest their time and effort in guiding an applicant through the application process.  They may even turn other applicants away or hold the rental for him.  After a successful application process (completed application, credit check, criminal background) the applicant informs you that he won’t be renting.  He wants his application deposit back.  Can you keep it?  If so, under what circumstances?

Click here for some info on Application Deposits.

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MANAGEMENT QUICK TIP – ACCEPTING CASH

It is Friday at 5 p.m., and the tenant rushes into your office with $800.00 in cash. You have a “no cash” policy, but make an exception. You have a large number of lower end rentals, and many of your tenants do not have bank accounts. You decide to allow them to pay by cash. Good move? Accepting cash is full of dangers. Besides the usual legal disputes and controversies that arise when cash is in the picture, you may be opening yourself up to a serious risk of embezzlement, robbery, burglary or risk serious injury or death. DON’T DO IT!

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