Every Landlord's Guide to Finding Great Tenants [With CDROM]

It took me a while to get through this thick but well written book but it was worth it. There is of course the obligatory why this book section that was thankfully short but this is followed by an excellent section on complying with anti-discrimination laws. You'd think this would be self evident but the complexity of the maze of laws means that even with the best of intentions you need to walk a tightrope and there is enough good information in the book that, although it may not hit all local and state laws, I think when combined with common sense will help most landlords avoid the worst of the traps. Of course I'm not a lawyer and can only give a layman's opinion. The book also deals with getting the old tenants out with minimal muss or fuss. This is important and I'm glad that they didn't skip it. Of course if you have a real problem tenant you may want more help than this short section can give you and may want to read Nolo's Every Landlord's Legal Guide, or consult a real estate attorney. Beginning with Section 4: Advertising Effectively, Section 5: Showing Your Rental,and Section 6: Preparing Your Rental Application And Screening Materials, you really enter the meat of this book. Over these and the next 10 sections the writer leads you through the process of interviewing prospective tenants, screening and background/credit checking those that seem to pass muster. This to me has always been the hardest part. I'm a soft touch and found the advice on tenant screening services useful. All and all I recommend this book to anyone considering renting property.

I suppose I'm on of the best persons to review this book because I've been a landlord for 30 years. I concur with the idea stated in this thorough, exhaustive book that the choice of your tenant is the most important one you'll make when you decide to rent out a house. I can tell you from first-hand experience that you will meet and do business with all kinds of people, from the woman who moved the bed into the living room for the space, and used the bedroom as a port-a-potty for her multiple cats, to the nice couple with two children who lived in your house for several years doing well, until the husband started using drugs, began beating his wife, keeping his kids in rags, getting fired from multiple jobs, and finally having to be evicted. Then there are the joyous tenants who work with you to keep the house in tip-top shape because, well, it's where they live and they like to live in a nice environment. And when they leave you are left with nothing to do but to change the locks and hang up the 'For Rent' sign up. (Sadly in the minority.) 'Every Landlord's Guide...' comes from the solid publishing house of Nolo Press, who has found a profitable niche in providing generalist legal guides on all subjects, including how to be a landlord, how to hire people, how to be a good neighbor and how to resolve disputes in a neighborly way. They even have a book on how to evict bad tenants, which I unfortunately had to purchase for my druggie tenant. Took a while to get him out, too. As it's written by a lawyer, the book could be faulted only in that is it depressingly complete. The author wants everything written down, including interview sheets, tenant evaluation sheets, tenant telephone call sheets, credit sheets, application checklist sheets, a rehearsed script for your answering machine, etc etc. I suppose this is what you want to have if you are unfortunate enough to go to court, but I don't think the average person is that obsessive. I will tell you that I am not, and I've done OK over the past 30 years. However, author and attorney Janet Portman probably loves clients who do all of the legwork to make her task of suing bad tenants easier. And she properly brings up the ridiculous folks who want to sue at the drop of a hat, claiming discrimination over everything. I don't mean racial and the like, I mean the number of people per bedroom (there are laws covering that) Americans with Disability Act modifications (who pays for what for modification) etc. These are called protected classes and unless you want to make your life miserable, you have to play by the rules. Not hard. But posting my non-discrimination poster at my home where I do my work but tenant never see? A bit much. Appropriate for an apartment house, but not for the small-time landlord. Of course, you can just use what applies to you. Am I glad I got this book? Yes. I thought I knew everything about landlording, but I've learned a few things from the book, always t

You can easily save the price of this book by avoiding one fair housing complaint, discrimination suit, costly cleanup or even a late rent payment. Nolo Press books are almost always good but sometimes leave you wanting more. This one has chapters that present virtual turn by turn instructions from getting rid of your current tenants, to advertising for new ones, showing the property, screening and evaluating rental agreements/applications, negotiating, checking credit reports, references, criminal backgrounds, etc., plus the all important, "how to reject." Unfortunately, the world of renting is full of legal complexities and traps. No, you don't need to hire an attorney to advise you at every turn. However, if you ever do need legal counsel, you'll be in MUCH better shape if you've followed the excellent advice offered up in this guide. It includes all the modifiable forms you'll need and more, plus scripts and audio clips on a CD. If you get overwhelmed, the book even offers advice on how to work with screening services to take the load off. Maybe you've been on the rental property sidelines thinking it just isn't worth the potential hassle and liability. After reading this guide, you might just take the plunge and feel like you're at least wearing a life-preserver, if not a wealth uniform.

Anyone who's thinking about renting out property should read this book first. Doing it without headaches and lawsuits takes knowledge, people skills, and a lot of work. The key to steady cash flow and minimal hassles: Find excellent tenants, and don't get sued for discrimination in the process. This book explains it all. It's very clear, organized, and packed with helpful tips, including "what to say and not say." Some state-specific info is included. It also covers getting rid of a bad tenant. The included CD has (editable) forms and some instructional soundtracks. I was a landlord for 15 years. This book would have helped a lot. I have given lukewarm reviews to some other Nolo books, but this one is a solid 5-stars. Elladrell says you're better off with Nolo's "Every Landlord's Legal Guide" by the same author. I did not read that one.

The following is from a review published in REVIEWER'S BOOKWATCH January 2007 ...EVERY LANDLORD'S GUIDE TO FINDING GREAT TENANTS [is] designed in a reader friendly format, full of icons, shaded call-out boxes, sample forms, and checklits. Easty-to-read tables outline state-specific laws on returning security deposits and showing notices, to name a few. From apartment makrketing programs, how to show a rental, fielding and screening calls, and chekcing references, no step in the process is left out and all procedures are drilled down to the bottom line. Ms. Portman brings an expert's perspective on the law, but don't thinkt hat this is a dry read. Engaging text sprinkled with bullet points, graphics, and clever caution points, make this the best desk reference for any landlord. Perfect for the experianced but exasperated landlord [or] the freshly mined, this is a must-have rental resource. ...comes with a hand CD-ROM for on-the-go landlord. The CD has files of all forms featured and discussed in the book, as well as sample landlord-tenant conversations. Nothing has been left of out this complete guide and the format makes it simple to focus on a particular theme, and revisit others on a when-the-time-comes basis. ...This book is a solid ten and highly recommended to building pwners, 1031 Exchange Qualifying Intermediaries, real estate editors and educators, leasing and rental managers, real estate agents and brokers.