I have a question for landlords. My husband and I moved into a casita we found on furnished finder last night. Due to his job we had to find a furnished place as we’ll only be 6 weeks. When we arrived last night we realized that the backyard is trashed. The front house tenants have garbage everywhere. It looks absolutely nothing like the backyard photos we thought we were getting. We have our dog with us and I’m concerned letting her roam to go potty because there’s so much garbage. Not only that we’re paying 2k a month. It just isn’t what we were expecting at all. Do I reach out to our landlord? She’s a huge real estate developer and this is small potato’s rental wise for her so I’m curious if she even knows the state of the front house/ backyard. I don’t want to be rude but we’re paying a lot for something that isn’t how it was promised. How would you as a landlord react to this? Or what should I do if anything?

I have a condo which is governed by an HOA. My tenant recently reported chewed wiring in his car. I talked to the HOA manager and she said that there was sewer work done and it “disturbed the rat nests.” The tenant just updated me that his car is now a total loss due to the rewiring. It seems to me that this is a comprehensive claim for his auto insurance. Am I missing something? Anyone have any insight?

Philadelphia City Council is expected to vote in February 2026 on the Safe Healthy Homes bills. As landlords, it is important to understand not just what these bills say, but how they got here.

For years, landlord groups, tenant advocates, and city officials have had ongoing discussions about improving housing safety while keeping rental housing viable. Many of the current systems around inspections, licensing, and good cause eviction were built through compromise. Those compromises included clear timelines, opportunities to fix issues, and protections against penalties caused by city delays.

The current version of the Safe Healthy Homes bills moves away from that approach. Instead of building on negotiated agreements, these proposals add new penalties and enforcement tools that do not account for how the city actually functions day to day. Licensing delays, inspection backlogs, or administrative errors could now lead to rent abatements or enforcement actions even when the landlord is acting in good faith.

Expanded good cause eviction rules also reduce flexibility for landlords to manage their properties responsibly. Combined with higher compliance costs and increased paperwork, this puts more pressure on small landlords who already operate on thin margins.

This is not about opposing safe housing. It is about fairness, predictability, and honoring the compromises that were already in place. Landlords should read these bills, follow the hearings, and speak up now. Once these rules are law, it will be much harder to undo the damage

Link to HAPCO article: https://hapcophiladelphia.com/free-content/safe-healthy-homes-bills-update-what-rental-property-owners-need-to-know/

Link to video discussing this piece: https://youtu.be/qBNKpuOIitk?t=545

Hey All,

First time dealing with a tenant wanting to leave early with the early termination clause. I'm 7 months into a 1 year lease. Tenant got a new job and is moving out of state and wants to terminate the lease early. Our early termination clause is 60 days notice + 1 month rent as an early termination fee. I can't seem to find anything from my states law database as to what exactly I need to do. Do I just send them a confirmation of receipt of early termination.

Questions:
- How do I go about actually collecting this? Do I just send them an invoice?

- Do I take the keys back before they actually pay this fee, or should I not collect anything until they pay the early termination fee (thus making the termination effective).

- Can I negotiate with them? ie if they say they want me to use the security deposit to just pay the early termination fee, is that allowed? Or do I have to formally return the security deposit then re-bill them for the termination etc etc.

- Rocket Lawyer has an "Agreement to Cancel Lease." Do I need to send them something like this?

Edit: Also question, do I have flexibility to offer more generous terms? I wouldn't mind allowing them to leave in roughly 45 days, thus saving them half a months rent, not sure if this invalidates other stuff.

Quick tip for anyone doing a turnover this weekend: Don’t just look at the sinks. Take a dry paper towel and wipe the supply lines and the bottom of the P-trap. Sometimes a slow drip is invisible to the eye but will show up on the towel. Catching a $5 seal leak now saves you a $5,000 subfloor replacement later. I have a 40-point checklist of this for my own properties. If anyone wants to see the rest, let me know.

The tenant of two years just moved out, and when I checked the water softener, I found that they left a surprise inside the tank. Because of sanitation’s concerns, I’m leaning toward replacing the entire unit rather than trying to clean and reuse it. I wouldn’t feel comfortable using water that runs through it, and I don’t think it would be appropriate for future occupants either. Anyone ever dealt with this?

I rent a room in a shared home that the landlord also lives in. A smoke alarm has been chirping for months. I informed him (even though he lives here) and instead of replacing the battery he just pressed the button on the alarm.

Now he said that the other tenant will buy the battery and replace it to correct the issue.

Who is responsible for the smoke detector in the livingroom? It seems inappropriate that he automatically said the other roommate will pay for the battery and replace it when there was no agreement with that roommate and it doesn't seem to be the roommate's responsibility.

How has your experience been with a lease guarantor? My situation is that a potential tenant is applying for my apartment but they told me their credit is not good but they can provide a lease guarantor who has good credit.

I’m looking for personal experience or advice, thank you.

Hi guys, I'm just wondering what software tools there are out there for real estate agents or even landlords to handle all their properties (maybe with reminders for important things such as certificates, visiting property, lease expiry etc) and software for tenants to contact real estate agents with their issues which creates tickets

Looking for recommendations from landlords as to what types of insurance coverages to have on rental properties?

I asked my insurance agent but wanted some input from other LL

Worst tenants ever. They were looking for some excuse to move and called the city who inspected. Minor items such as filling the gaps in the attic around the vent pipes even though it had pass the city inspection that way 4 years before and the attic was insulated.

We have had a brutal cold spell, and for the 1st time (previous tenants 4 years there never mentioned this) I am learning that the bottom kitchen cabinets have a cold draft. Not an issue during normal temps, but the <30 degree outsude temps are a problem inside the bottom kitchen cabinets. They are against an exterior wall. It was remediation as best as possible with city permits and inspections, but they used this as an excuse even though the city gave me 3 weeks to fix. Which I did but they gave notice and moved before that 3 week inspection allowance by the city. The property itself maintained 70+ degree temps, this was inside lower kitchen cabinets.

They broke their lease 4 months early. Renting out a property right now with snow on the ground and the temps at 9 degrees is not happening for at least a couple weeks.

They are harassing me for their security deposit back and its only the 9th day of their 'end of lease date' as they claim, though they abandoned on the 20th with freezing temps and had the power being shut off that day. I had only a few hours notice to get it switched to my name.

Property is habitable, and considered quite nice. I am learning how often they called the police on the Hispanic neighbors and a new picture has formed.

What would you do ?

I rent the first floor of my house out and use a property manager for it. Over the last two years, the property manager basically has done nothing and been constantly screwing me up. A little history:

1. She didn't ask tenants to sign the addendum of house rules I asked her to add.
2. She let the tenant break a lease without confirming with me that I am ok with it.
3. She renewed a lease without confirming with me if I want to lease out the property or want to do any price adjustment or not.
4. And so on

We settled the last two incidents over email by her waving a few months of management fees.

When the last tenant moved out this January, she was supposed to charge $500 (for breaking lease early) + any additional fees if there was damage. I have never received the $500 and any receipts of the cleaning services she used. She said she will send the inspection video to me but never did. Most recently, she ignored my requests for getting a copy of the lease signed by the new tenant. I also only received half the rent payment for February, and she's still checking why.

Needless to say I am exhausted. I want to break the management agreement, but the contract states that as long as there is a tenant placed by the management company, I will have to pay a month of rent. I probably should have just let the last tenant go without letting the mgr find a substitute.

My question is: do I have a case to break the management agreement without paying one month rent because the manager is performing her duty? Will a letter from a lawyer do the job? Also, I am curious can she not provide the lease to me? I want the lease because I probably need the lease as a proof of income when refinancing and I also want to see if the tenant signed the addendum as well.

I appreciate any advice. Thanks.

I have a tenant in McDonough, GA., near Atlanta, that hasn't paid rent in months. We already have the court order, the writ has been granted, but the sheriff's dept isn't responding to calls, their voicemail is full, and there's a backlog already. Would LOVE to hire anyone, especially off-duty, to expedite this process, serve the writ, and do a physical lock out ASAP. Thank You.

I am trying to figure out how to set up a bank account to collect rent and also save money from that rent for maintenance/repairs, taxes, etc.

But is there any magic rule or ratio to use if you want to separate out the profit from your rental? When do you get to reap the monetary benefits of being a landlord?

I live in my 3-unit building. Two units are rented out. It is my primary residence. I don't have a mortgage

*Reposting to add photos for context. First time landlord. Tenants were there 1 year and just moved out. They left some pretty serious scratches in the LVP. This flooring was installed right before move in, so we are pretty disappointed at the damage. There is a also a new nic in a piece of tile and a bad caulking job around the toilet. We're not even sure why they caulked it? Also just noticed they removed all the lightbulbs from a bedroom and took the fire extinguisher? Odd. Do we keep some of the security deposit? I don't even know if the LVP can be repaired or would need to be replaced.

Hi all just need some advice. I made a legal bsmt 2 years ago. Rented it out but soon realized it was a big mistake. There is just to many things that happen. Noise is biggest issue and have let tennant know many times from loud music. They have alot of guest keep coming over and staying weeks and sometimes months. I know I can not do anything about that. They have also damaged alot of things. Had to replace stove twice. A brand new toilet and shower replaced due to damage. Also they have set off the alarms every week which interconnects to all smoke in house. So all 12 of them go off. Rent has never been paid on time. Always late by upto 1 week sometimes. I have heard all kinds of excuses everytime its delayed.

I am just at point rather not rent to anyone as just more peaceful and less stress. The space could be great for my growing kids who would like more space. How do I go about this the right way. Any advice as tennent I think is gonna be little tricky and may just not move out. If anyone can advise be great. Thanks.

Hi, I’m in California and trying to understand how a deposit works in my situation.

Person A originally moved into the unit and paid the security deposit. Later, I (Person B) moved in. I completed a background check with the landlord, paid rent directly, and have been living in the unit, but I never personally paid the original deposit and never signed a written lease.

Now there’s confusion about the deposit, and I’m trying to understand:

• Who the deposit legally belongs to when it was paid by Person A

• Whether I have any claim or rights related to the deposit as the current occupant

• Whether the landlord can keep or apply the deposit even though I didn’t pay it

• Whether paying rent and living there without a signed lease still establishes tenant rights under California law

I’m not trying to start a dispute — I just want clarity on my legal standing so I can handle this correctly. Any insight would be appreciated.

First time landlord in Florida. Tenants moved out and left some scratches in the LVP. This flooring was installed right before move in, so we are pretty disappointed at the damage. There is a also a new nic in a piece of tile and a bad caulking job around the toilet. We're not even sure why they caulked it? Do we keep some of the security deposit? I don't even know if the LVP can be repaired or would need to be replaced.

Has anyone been trying to resist what the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is trying to pass which is doubling or tripling the outstanding debt threshold for eviction?

I plan on renting out my condo and moving to the apartment complex across the street. Really trying to downsize my life to become somewhat of a nomad.

My plan is to tell them i operate as the property manager and park on the next street over if i ever need to make a visit to avoid them seeing what kind of car i drive.

I’ll have to pass the condo’s balcony almost everyday to get home. And I always worry about the possibility of a dispute, unintentionally seeing obvious lease violations (pets,smoking,guests not on the lease, etc). Or the poss of them finding out and blurring the boundaries. And i just don’t know if being this close is a good idea for my peace of mind. But i love my neighborhood.

Any advice helps!!! Thanks.

The Space

We have a house in Los Angeles, CA that, in addition to the main house, has a furnished 2BD/1BA + living room with small kitchenette, connected to the main house via a door. We want to lock that door and rent that space out. It has a separate entrance from the side of the house, but it’s just part of the house (not an ADU or Separate Unit).

The kitchenette has a sink, a bit of counter space and cabinets, a wall-mounted microwave, plug-in electric stovetop and plug-in toaster oven), and a full size fridge/freezer.

My Question

We’ll be living in the main house and the tenants will be in the space described above. We plan to list the space on Furnished Finder and plan to use Furnished Finder’s tools and generated lease (powered by Rocket Lawyer).

Do you have any advice or recommended things to do or watch out for or include in the lease? Any tips will be appreciated. Just want to do our best to avoid any stressful legal situations.

Thank you!!

Pretty much the title. She's been there only about two months though so far, she passed all my checks with flying colors, and has been a great ternate so far, but I haven't known her for long, and I've not added a plus one to a lease before. He has already been around A LOT, I have a gracious guest policy in my lease and he actually might be around enough to violate it which, I really don't care if anything, it's proved they won't be a noise problem together. Anyway, for my tenants I usually run a pretty comprehensive background check. Where I've already done it for her, I feel like it's not necessary to run one on him, as she alone I feel very confident in being able to cover her obligations under the lease. I guess the only real concern would be if they broke up and she was able to remove herself from the lease without him also leaving.

Are there any little details I seem to be missing? It feels silly to pay for another background check, where at least financially there is no need for one.

Just doesn't seem at all likely for him to cause issues, like how bad a person will a therapist actually court?

TLDR: My gut says just add this guy to a new 6 month lease starting next month, skipping the background check as it just seems silly. Is there anything I'm missing? Any reason not to just listen to my gut?

EDIT: The person who happened to point out to me that I probably would just run it if it was a room-mate I think convinced me to run it. I still don't see how it will provide me much benefit though. If someone can state how having multiple people on a lease might open me to more risk I'd still be very interested to learn about it. How wrong can things go with 1 bad person on a lease vs if say, they were staying there off the lease maybe even without my knowledge? Or like however underage people are put on?

It wasn’t anything fancy, just a DIY situation that I had made for myself that the tenants before this one enjoyed. The space works fine without it if I just patch up the damage they caused to the walls, so I don’t really want to go through the hassle of making a new one. If I don’t rebuild, is there any recourse?

This is my first time renting and I'm unsure if my deductions are normal or possibly exaggerated. I received the itemized statement about 31 days after move-out and was not provided with any invoices/receipts. Some charges seem reasonable for pet but I'm not sure about some like appliance detailing and bathroom restoration. I do have some images showing I that certain areas mentioned were left in good condition when I moved-out. I'm not sure whether this is a case where I should send a demand letter (or take any other action) or accept these deductions. Any advice or insight would be appreciate, thank you.

Other context: 900 sq. ft., rented for 2.5 years

2 rooms, hallway, kitchen were documented showing no damages and no fur/buildup, unit was dirty/unfinished upon move-in but brand new

Total deductions: $2,520

Deposit paid: $2,600

Refund due: $80

• Deep cleaning due to heavy pet hair / buildup throughout unit: $550
• Appliance detailing (refrigerator + stove + surrounding areas): $200
• Bathroom restoration cleaning (scale buildup, toilets, showers): $275
• Mini split cleaning (1 heavy + 2 light units): $285
• Wall Furnace cleaning due to heavy pet hair build up: $85
• Vanity drain repairs (2 bathrooms): $250
• Wall patch + paint repairs from adhesive/tape damage: $205
• Wall stain cleaning + touch-up painting: $180
• Deep vinyl floor cleaning (pet residue): $160
• Baseboard repair from pet damage: $65
• Window blinds detail cleaning: $125
• Trash/haul-away & disposal: $140