Renting & Tenants
Leases, rent, screening, and tenant relationships.
Red Flags in a Tenant's Bank Statements and Pay Stubs
A tenant paying 3x rent from a checking account with 15 overdrafts in 60 days is a bigger risk than a low credit score alone.
Month-to-Month vs Fixed-Term Lease: Which Wins for Landlords?
A 12-month fixed lease locks in rent and reduces turnover, while a 30-day month-to-month gives landlords faster exit options but less income certainty.
Lease-Writing Mistakes That Come Back to Bite Owner-Operators
A vague late-fee clause or a missing pet policy can cost owner-operators thousands in unpaid rent, lost eviction cases, and fair housing complaints.
Lease-Option vs Lease-Purchase: Rent-to-Own Differences 2026
A lease-option gives a tenant the choice to buy later, while a lease-purchase legally obligates them to buy, and that one word changes everything.
Lease-Break Payments From a Tenant — Taxable or Not? (2026)
A lease-break payment from a tenant is taxable rental income in the year you receive it, reported on Schedule E like any other rent.
Landlord-Tenant Law by State: How Rules Really Differ (2026)
There is no single "landlord-tenant law" — each state sets its own deposit caps, notice periods, and eviction timelines, and mixing them up can cost you a case.
Individual Leases vs One Joint Lease for Roommates: Which to Use?
One joint lease holds all roommates equally liable for the full rent, while individual leases split that liability into separate, smaller obligations.
How to Verify a Tenant's Employment Without Crossing a Line
Landlords can verify income and employment with a pay stub, a call to HR, or a bank statement, but asking too much can trigger a fair housing complaint.
How to Report a Security Deposit on Your Taxes (IRS Rules)
A security deposit isn't taxable income when collected, it only becomes reportable income in the year you actually keep part of it, per IRS Publication 527.
Abandoned Property After a Tenant Leaves: State Rules for 2026
Most states give landlords 15 to 30 days to store a former tenant's belongings before selling or disposing of them, but the exact rule depends on your state.
How to Depreciate a Capital Improvement Made Mid-Lease
A capital improvement made mid-lease is depreciated separately over 27.5 years, starting the month it's placed in service, not the month you paid for it.
How to Check a Tenant's Rental References the Right Way
Calling a prior landlord takes about 10 minutes and can reveal late rent, damage, or noise complaints a credit report never shows.
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