Sure, landlords advertise apartment rentals as part of their apartment marketing strategies but that is only one aspect out of their entire jobs which are multifaceted and far reaching to include:
• Preparing the vacant apartments to be eventually rented to other tenants by cleaning it up and fumigating as well as fixing, mending and replacing all that is needed.
• Advertising rentals in a range of ways including through websites that provide apartment Internet marketing services.
• Selecting the fitting new tenants who have answered the rental advertisements through the process of interviewing which is then followed by the process of reference and credit checks.
• Administering the signing of formal contracts or written agreements.
• Collecting the security, deposit and rent money.
• Maintaining the rental unit (apartment) as well as the entire apartment complex.
• Taking on the role of public relations managers to uphold good dealings of tenants between themselves as well as the dealings between tenants and management.
To help landlords perform their duties effectively, efficiently and fairly; a whole bunch of laws and regulations had been enacted in many jurisdictions in the United States as well as other part of the world. In many instances, such laws are intended to protect the rights of landlords as well as the rights of their tenants.
Whenever looking at rental property marketing; we suggest you do some diligent research first and use the services of a professional.
These laws may differ from one place to another but they also have quite a bit of similarities, particularly as they relate to the following issues:
• Security Deposits. The amounts of security deposits are determined and set at the time the rental contracts are signed and they are to be paid by the tenants and to be held by the landlords until such time as the same tenants move out of the rental unit. Security deposits are to be returned to the tenants (without accrued interest) unless they will be fully or partially used by the landlords to cover:
(a) unpaid rent;
(b) the cost to repair damages caused by the tenants which are beyond the normal wear and tear;
(c) the price for replacing removed items which belong to the property;
(d) the expenses for cleaning of the tenants' vacated apartment, if it is left exceedingly dirty.
• Legal or Proper Evictions. Tenants may be lawfully evicted by landlords if and when:
(a) They fail to pay the rent that is due.
(b) They violate any part of the signed contracts and/or agreements.
(c) They cause deliberate damage to the rental property
(d) They are threats to the other tenants and/or to the landlords.
(e) They, directly or indirectly, participate in illegal activities on the premises.
• Landlords Entering Rented Apartments.Landlords are required by law to ask for their tenants' permissions to enter the apartments they are occupying.This law is in effect except under these following sets of circumstances:
(a) Suspected emergencies such as fire, leaking water pipes, burst water tanks, gas leaks or some other dangers.
(b) The rent is past-due by 14 days and the landlord believes that the apartment had been abandoned. In this case the landlord may prepare the apartment for marketing as a newly vacant unit.
• Raising Rent. The rates may vary but, whether the property is in an area where Rent Control laws apply or not, it is proper for the landlord to raise rent periodically. The law requires that the tenants be notified at least 30 days prior to the increased rent going into effect.
