As a property manager, it’s imperative that we have great representation regarding tax considerations, not only for running our own businesses, but also to provide the best possible advice for our investment property clients. Join NARPM® Affiliate member, Richard Hart, CPA of Hart & Associates, and host Bob Preston, MPM® RMP®, to get the keys on planning to successfully and legally reduce tax liability in order to maximize after-tax income.

As a landlord or property manager, do you ever feel like the word “landlord” comes with a negative connotation? The word has been in use for over 1000 years, dating back to an Old English concept, in which tracts of land were owned by a single person who came to be known as a "lord," and those occupying the land became bound and dependent on their lords for protection and, of course, obligated to pay rent for that privilege. Even though our culture has moved well beyond this ancient system, the lingering negative essence of the word "landlord" remains for many. Hear from host Bob Preston, MPM® RMP®, and NARPM Property Managers, Mark Scott and Danielle Rogers, MPM® RMP®, on how we can start changing the narrative.

As a landlord or property manager, do you ever feel like you just can't have a break from your business? Keeping your eyes on the ball so nothing falls through the cracks can be a never-ending concern: maintenance requests, property viewings, leases to review and sign, tenant move ins, rent collection. Whew, sound familiar? Research shows that many small business owners either don't take vacation, or when they do, it's a "working vacation." Join Kathleen Richards, MPM® RMP®, and gang for an in-depth discussion on why taking a vacation from your business is powerful!

Explore the legislative proposals that would change how the Housing Choice Voucher Program (aka Section 8) operates. Join Tyler Craddock, the Governmental Affairs Director for NARPM, Patti Robertson, PMI Virginia, and Amanda Han, MPM® RMP®, Cornerstone Properties, to discuss Section 8, how it works, and the responsibilities in the program of the tenant, the landlord, the housing agency, and HUD. Dive deep into the good, the bad and the not so pretty impact the HCV program proposed changes could have through the lens of NARPM members’ collective experiences as housing providers. (*Remember that state law varies from state to state, so always contact your attorney for specific legal advice in your area.)

You go to a rental unit; the door's lock is broken, the power is off; there's no one there. The neighbor says no one has been around for a long time. Is this an abandoned property? Learn more about what truly - and legally - constitutes abandonment from Florida property management attorney Harry Heist in this episode of NARPM Radio.  Abandonment is a legal term, and you need to know the legal definition of it in your area and how to prove it. What you think may not be the (legal) case!  *Always check with your attorney for your state or local laws that apply to issues such as this. 

NARPM Radio: Changing the AC Filter – Who’s Responsible? The lease has a clause that the tenant has to change the AC filters on a regular basis. But do they? Every lease should have a clause stating that the tenant is responsible for this maintenance, but oftentimes we can’t rely on them to actually do it. When the tenant calls with a complaint about the air conditioning, is it their fault for not changing the filter? Florida property management attorney Harry Heist tells the story about his own personal experience with this task and relates how it’s not always as easy as you might think. What’s the solution? Take a listen on this week’s NARPM Radio episode on AC filter changing and liability. As always, be sure to check with your local/state attorney for laws applicable in your area.

The tenant moves in, and three months later wants to break the lease because his wife didn't sign it. Do all adults living in the home sign the lease? What about an adult student? The simple task of lease signing is often done wrong, according to Florida property management attorney Harry Heist. Improper lease signing can cause a myriad of issues, and you need to know what specific measures to take to ensure you don't have problems later on. As always, make sure to check with your own legal counsel for the law in your state or locality. 

NARPM Radio: Tenant Delay Tactics What are typical delay tactics a tenant uses when served with an eviction notice? It doesn’t matter what they say (roommate left, lost job, cat died, etc.), but they have a right to file a response with the courts once an eviction notice is served. From the tenant’s “answer” filed in the court to bankruptcy, attorney Harry Heist discusses some of the ways that a tenant can delay an eviction. How do you avoid losing this battle? Make sure you take the right steps, know the law, be prepared, and always be sure to work with your attorney for advice as laws vary from state to state.

As a property manager or landlord, do you ever worry that you are not truly getting the full financial picture when screening tenant applications? Sometimes we get applications laden with smoke and mirrors that are easy to filter out. But other times, the app may look quite good, but in reality some of the aspects that would be helpful in making a decision aren't visible.  Wouldn't it be cool if you could verify a renter's income, payroll, past rent payments, NSF and overdrafts all in one, easy to pull, screening report? On this episode of NARPM Radio, Bob Preston of North County Property Group in California talks with Craig Schoen, CEO of Rentify about "open banking technology" and how property managers can use it to better screen prospective tenants.  Rentify, a new NARPM Member Discount Program, is a company dedicated to helping property managers and landlords utilize a new approach to get that full picture of a tenant’s financial picture during the screening process. 

Podium is a customer messaging platform that can help property management companies achieve ongoing touchpoints, ultimately bolstering their customer relationship management and loyalty.  Bob Preston with North County Property Group in Del Mar, CA, hosts this episode of NARPM Radio, talking with Zach Williams of Podium about how you can send pictures and videos, arrange for service appointments & scheduled item pickup, and collect payments—all online on your site - plus, stand out on the websites that matter by easily collecting hundreds of customer reviews.