From pricing fluctuations to discrimination laws, we dig into three reasons why property management is more complicated when the landscape is changing fast.

3 Reasons Property Management Has Never Been More Complicated

The right firm really matters when the landscape is changing fast.

For a long time, the essential tasks of a property manager have remained essentially unchanged. They find tenants, collect the rent, maintain the property, and take the burdens of home ownership off the homeowner.

BUT the truth is that most property managers have never been adequate to the task, even before the world became more complicated. They haven’t brought in digital technology and they don’t provide attentive, “concierge-style” service. Simply put they don’t care enough.

When you add in the recent changes wrought by Covid-19, that put even more pressure on a property manager, you’ll see why a new breed of property manager – like Belong – is a necessity.

The risk of discrimination complicates property management.

Did you know that according to the U.S. Fair Housing Act – which governs how tenants must be treated – you can’t ask one tenant to pay a larger security deposit than another, even if it is for a non-discriminator reason?

It’s also true that you can’t ask a rental applicant if they have any kids – even casually.  Nor can you describe a property as “family friendly” in an ad, because it opens itself to the interpretation that the homeowner prefers families as tenants.

And these are just the federal standards; there are also local regulations that must be followed.  Here are some examples of where San Francisco has its own standards above and beyond the U.S. Fair Housing Act. 

It’s difficult for any individual to keep track of these requirements, and there’s no reason to put yourself in a high-risk situation when the right property manager, like Belong, has systems and protocols in place that ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.

With the renovation boom, it’s almost impossible to find great contractors.

You’ve no doubt been reading about how supply chain interruptions have made it harder than ever to get the material you need for renovations. A lack of available, competent contractors has only compounded the challenges.  BiggerPockets – a blog with a mission to help people who invest in real estate, put it like this:

"A few weeks ago you call six different contractors to take a look at a small repair job on your home. Every single one went to voicemail. Okay, understandable. You figure they’re busy working and leave a message. In total, four of them call back, and you schedule an appointment with each of them to get an estimate. Of the four appointments, two of them never showed up. Wondering how to find a contractor (who doesn’t suck)? You’re not alone."

As an owner of one or two properties, you simply don’t have the time or the clout to hire on talented and reliable contractors. At the same time, you know making your hope as perfect as possible will help you get the best possible resident at the highest rent.

Ask Belong. With access to a concierge service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, we can give personalized advice whenever you need it. Including connecting you to an extensive vendor network of over 10,000 contractors. If you've got a job to do or repair to make, we know who can help. 

With rentals surging in value, it’s hard to know what to charge.

“Rent is about to go up again” declares CNBC’s newsletter, “Make It.”  With this shortage of supply, it’s challenging for homeowners to figure out where to price their homes.  If they’re overly optimistic, they risk overpricing it, wasting time showing it, and having to deal with an extended vacancy.

On the other hand, if you price your home too low, you’re leaving money on the table.  So how do you find the sweet spot, the Goldilocks price, that is “Just right?”  It calls for some sophisticated technology, which is what the folks at Belong have come up with.

They’ve created a pricing optimization model that takes everything into account:  the neighborhood; your individual house and its pros and cons; and what recent rentals deals have brought.

Everyone who signs up with Belong has access to this.  What’s more, Belong handles all the appointments and showings.

In a fast-changing world, which has risks and opportunities, you can’t afford to be stuck in the old way of managing property.  It’s getting trickier and more stressful to do it yourself, which is why a modern property manager like Belong may be just what these times call for.

Here are the 12 steps you need to rent your home on your own. Or just take one step and call Belong.

So You Really Want to Go It Alone? 12 Steps to Renting your Home

There are lots of ways that people who own houses can turn to rent them as a smart economic strategy. Some have to move fast and don’t want to be forced to sell the first available buyer. Others inherited a home. And still others bought a home with an investment opportunity in mind.  

No matter the journey you’re on, renting a home on your own means you need to be aware of - and plan for - a host of legal and financial responsibilities.  These take careful planning and preparation; in fact, there are responsibilities you’re probably not even aware of.

None of this is simple. This is precisely why we created Belong - to take on the heaving lifting for you.  And to arrive at the end of the day with the most important outcome of all: to find someone who will love your house as much as you do.

Based on deep understanding and years of experience, here are the 12 essential steps that everyone needs to follow before renting a home.  If these don’t convince you to turn to Belong as your partner in being a successful homeowner, all we can say is that we wish you luck! And we’re always here if you need us.

Start with an honest level-setting conversation with yourself and your family.  While we’re all looking to “monetize” our real estate in some way - and you can make anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars - it doesn’t make sense in all case. So ask yourself these questions to determine if renting is the best way for you to proceed:

Are you sure you won’t need the house for yourself, or for family, in the next few years?  While you can rent for the short-term, the best rental relationship is long-term - where you give someone a chance to truly “Belong” to the house.

What’s the condition of your home? Often when you live in a home for a while, it’s hard to look at it objectively to determine how “rentable” it is, and what kind of repairs and upgrades will need to be made.

Is the rental market strong in your area? Search sites like Trulia and Zillow to get an idea of what the market conditions are.

If you don’t need your place for a while - and if the property is in good shape (or you have the cash to get it there) - and the market is promising, renting may be a great option!

At the end of the day, renting is an economic calculation. First, set your goals: do you want to break even, make a profit, or are you willing to take a loss in order to gain tax advantages of renting?  And speaking of taxes, you should talk to your accountant about the tax implications of renting before making any final decision.

Next, you need to put together a basic cost-revenue analysis model. The revenue is your rent income - but make sure you build in a reasonable projected vacancy time. The costs include everything from normal maintenance to unexpected items like a leaky roof or a broken furnace.  

Property management costs should be included if you choose to go that route. We’ll get into more detail about what property management includes later on. Speaking as Belong - not your run-of-the-mill property management company - we believe that the value and efficiency we bring more than offsets the fee.

There are a number of online calculators that can help with this analysis. Calculator.net and Zillow’s calculator are two we’d recommend. And again, we advise you to speak to your accountant.

Make sure you include the costs required to upgrade your property to market-level conditions (more on that in the next section).

Of course your property must be up to code. But that’s not enough. A well-maintained home attracts residents who will respect it and care for it. We recommend that you spend time on sites like Trulia to gain insight into “comparables” in your neighborhood. 

If upgrades beyond painting and freshening are required, you’ll need to hire a trustworthy contractor who can deliver within the agreed-upon time period.  Here are some of the best tips we’ve found for finding one. 

In general, don’t impose your taste. Aim for something as broadly popular as possible. If your home ends up looking like it’s straight out of Crate & Barrel or West Elm, that’s a good thing.

Your ability to market your home can not only mean the difference between a profitable investment and a loss-making one, but it can actually attract better residents, those who will love a home as much as you do.

If you make the call to go with Belong, you can be confident that you are working with a team that understands local market conditions, that has the talent to present your house in the best light, that understands the power of virtual tours and brilliant photography, and that has technology that makes scheduling appointments easy and frictionless.

If you decide to market your home on your own, it’s more complicated and time-consuming than you might think. Here are some links to websites and other content to help you with DIY home marketing. 

It’s time to market your home. The quality and number of photos in the listing will impact the interest in your rental. You’ll especially want quality photos if you are competing in the high-end market. 

Potential tenants commonly use sites like Craigslist, Redfin, and Facebook Marketplace to find available listings. Posting to a variety of websites and having “for rent” signs directing local traffic to your rental property will help maximize applications. 

All applicants should be required to give basic information like the names and birthdates of everyone who will live on the property, the social security numbers of the applicants for credit checks, thorough job history, and references (especially from past landlords). There may be more information you’d like to have on file, like an emergency contact, so do some research to make sure the information you collect is both complete and legal to store. Review applications on a first-come-first-serve basis to avoid any appearance of discrimination.

Sorting through applicants is perhaps one of the most stressful steps for a new landlord. How do you know if someone is a good tenant? Will they be clean, respectful, and on time with monthly rent payments?

A few tips to screen your applicants are:

Require an application fee to cover credit and background checks, which will encourage serious applicants only. 

Perform a background and credit check, and call past landlords.  

Check their income history. Since the era of the long-term job is behind us - with the rise of freelancers, consultants, and small business owners - income stability is the most important criterion.

Once you piece together their rental, credit, and job history, you should have a good idea of how they will act in your home.

You will need an insurance provider who understands the best way to protect your investment while keeping costs to a minimum.  One way to do that is to have a high deductible plan, which usually comes with lower monthly premiums.

If you don’t have a good broker, there’s no substitute for word-of-mouth in finding one. We suggest you ask friends and neighbors. Googling is not a good idea - a broker’s ability to come up high in search ratings doesn’t necessarily mean they’re any good.

You should require tenants to have renter’s insurance to cover them from loss of property from theft, flood, fire, and other problems, as well as protect you from being sued in such events. This requirement needs to go into the lease.

So we have our terms straight, the role of a “property manager” includes all of this and more:  

You need to decide if you are going to take on these responsibilities or if you would rather hire a property management company.

Property management companies bill in either flat rates or rent percentages. These fees can be difficult to predict and landlords are sometimes surprised by charges. It also can be hard to leave a long-term contract with an unsatisfactory property management company, so research and interview a few companies before deciding, and think about involving your lawyer. 

We created Belong because we believed that the world of property management was broken and ready for innovation. We deliver a complete, hands-on solution that combines technology with a human touch.

12 Steps to Renting your Home in 2021

Traditional depictions of landlords have always been negative. So as attitudes towards renting shift and become more positive, how can we support homeowners who take a caring approach to renting their home?

How Can We Change The Perception of Landlords?

Traditional depictions of landlords have always been negative. But at the end of the day, most landlords are homeowners who care about their property and who rents it. 

As attitudes towards renting shift and become more positive, how can we support homeowners who take a caring approach to renting their home?

Words matter, and “landlord” has never been a pretty one. It summons up images of greedy, faceless real estate companies who don’t really care about the property itself, or the people who live there. But is that the reality of a modern landlord?

When you look at the numbers, the vast majority of single-family rental properties – a total of 72.5 percent – are owned by individuals. And they own just 1.72 properties on average. This means most landlords are simply homeowners who are supporting families or own a space that just isn't right for their current needs. Many have inherited a house and aren't prepared to sell it yet. Or they might be in the process of downsizing or moving for work, but aren’t yet ready to part with their homes. They may even expect to move back in the future. 

Another reason for holding on and renting is that they may live in an area where housing prices are rapidly appreciating, and they don’t want to give up on that opportunity to participate in that. We’re seeing that right now, as housing prices are going up at over 10 percent annually; combine that with the shortage that exists, and not selling at this moment could be a wise economic choice. 

That doesn't sound particularly evil, so how do we change the perception of the modern landlord? 

By treating them as what they are: homeowners. It's why Belong prefers that term over 'landlord'. It acknowledges that many owners have an emotional relationship to the houses they rent, and want to go to bed at night knowing that the individual – or family – living there loves the place.

They aren’t professional investors who understand the ins and outs of real estate law, and most of them aren’t interested in taking on the responsibilities of maintaining the property. Along with the word landlord, Belong has ditched the hassles and hidden fees of traditional property management to offer an entirely new experience. One that makes everything transparent and friction-free, from listing and finding residents, to the upkeep of the property. We treat everyone in our community (both homeowners and residents) as members of community, available 24/7 to support whomever needs it. That's how you change perception from faceless greed to responsible homeowners in the rental market. 

So you can use words like “innovative” and “impeccable” and “finally!” to describe Belong – or any other laudatory adjectives you want to add to the heap. Just not "another property management company". 

Traditional depictions of landlords are not pretty, but as attitudes towards renting shift to become more positive, it's time to reposition homeowners.

Of course, you want to keep your property safe. But are you opening yourself up to legal liabilities when you use security cameras to accomplish that goal?

What Every Property Manager Should Know About Security Cameras

Installing security cameras in a house or apartment you’re self-managing might seem like a no-brainer. Especially today, when they are so affordable and easy to install. After all, the urge to protect the property and the people residing in it is a universal trait, shared by landlords and renters alike. But beware: there are huge legal implications when it comes to installing security cameras on your property.

When a resident is behind a closed door, they have a reasonable expectation that they’re in a private, safe space. In fact, in that kind of circumstance, they legally have a right to privacy. Anything you do that intrudes on that right — including setting up a security camera — is against the law. 

In fact, it’s one of the rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights: According to many legal scholars, the Third Amendment, which explicitly prevents soldiers from taking up residence in a civilian’s home, implicitly “suggests the individual’s right of domestic privacy” — this according to the National Constitution Center. The Fourth Amendment is even more explicit, guaranteeing “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.”  Though these Amendments were initially drafted as a check on governmental intrusion into the private lives of its citizenry, it also applies to civil matters.

This doesn’t mean you can’t install a security camera altogether: it just means you have to be very careful that you aren’t videoing your residents while they’re inside the house — or the apartment — itself. If you own a building with multiple units in it, you might be allowed to install security cameras in shared spaces, for example in hallways or stairwells or entryways that any resident can access. But we advise you to check with an attorney well-versed in the federal and state laws that might be applicable.

You can probably also install cameras that look out onto areas of the property that are visible to the public in general — the front yard, for example, or the driveway. But installing a camera in the backyard, where residents could reasonably assume they are out of view of the public eye, is illegal.

They can be, if you’re hyper-careful when installing them. Doorbell cameras, for example, are a great way of protecting your property, your residents, and yourself: because they look out onto public-facing land (i.e., the front yard), they keep you safe from violating your tenant’s right to privacy by filming indoors. Just be sure to purchase a product that allows you to turn off any audio recording functionality (Ring cams, for example). 

There are other solutions that can provide an extra layer of security that are definitely worth considering, in particular wireless alarm systems. Unlike their wired forefathers — the kind of alarm systems your parents might have had — these new systems are much cheaper to install, because you don’t need a professional to be laying wires all over the house.  In fact, many of them can be self-installed. Also, like Ring doorbell cams, they are often smart systems that communicate directly to the homeowner’s cellphone, so you’re constantly aware of what’s going on with your property. Some of our favorites can be purchased through these links.

You can also install motion-sensitive security lights; the simple shock of the light suddenly turning on is enough to scare off many an intruder. Another cheap option: non-functional cameras installed in places where potential intruders will see them. The mere threat of being recorded might be enough to turn the thieves away.

No matter what type of security system you end up installing, we recommend being fully transparent with any current and future resident about their security – and the security of the home in general. Conversations like these can communicate to your residents that you care about their safety and security — and, more broadly, about them as people — which makes it that much more likely they’ll reciprocate and treat you and your property with the utmost respect. 

Finally, we recommend consulting with a local lawyer who fully understands the nuances of applicable state laws. Though (as stated above) many of the laws we’re talking about here are Federal, there is often local legislation that has a bearing on the legality of using security cameras. That’s why talking to a good lawyer is the best way to mitigate (or eliminate) any potential risk.

Interested in learning more? Check out The Dos and Don’ts of Home Security in a Rental Property.

Love letters might seem like a cute trend in the real estate industry, but homeowners beware when opening one that you're not opening a can of worms with it.

A Warning on Real Estate “Love Letters”

The housing market is tight. So much so that you may have been reading about a new twist: people who are looking for houses are sending “love letters” to sellers, telling them why they are the ideal people to buy the house. 

These letters are definitely not as innocuous – or potentially charming – as they might seem, as the Wall Street Journal pointed out in a well-written story.

While this phenomenon is not as widespread in rentals as it is in purchase situations, the same risks apply.   The risk, simply put, is that acting on one of these endearing letters could result in major trouble, putting a homeowner at risk of “enabling discrimination”  -- whether the contemplated transaction is buying or renting.

The story noted the case of a letter from an anxious buyer who noted that he and the seller went to the same college.   That seemingly innocent statement could result in a seller being accused of violating  “the federal Fair Housing Act by choosing a buyer based on a protected class, such as race, religion, or nationality. The law includes seven protected classes, and some states and localities have additional protected categories.”

A blog post from the Sloan Law Firm, cheekily titled “Real Estate Love Letters: A Heartfelt Enticement or a Forbidden Affair,” lays out the dos and don’ts.  It’s fine if a letter “expresses admiration for a particular architectural style,” but when a letter “includes a family photo, references to the number of children in a family, or a note that the property is close to the buyer’s church, it unwittingly inserts information into the transaction that a seller is not legally permitted to consider and possibly exposes the seller to allegations of discrimination if the sellers opt not to sell to that buyer.”

Even statements in a letter like “This dining room is perfect for our big family,” or “This layout is perfect for our daughter’s wheelchair,” cannot be legally considered.

The National Association of Realtors has also warned against this technique.

So if you’re renting out your home, be super-cautious about even reading a love letter.  Instead, if you want to find someone who will love your home we’d like to introduce you to Belong.

Belong is turning everything about traditional property management upside down. 

We’ll find you the right residents, those ready to love your house and make a life there,  and also tell you exactly how much to price your house.  We have a super-smart Price Optimization technology that understands neighborhood uniqueness. And of course, we manage the whole process for you. 

In the long run, you’ll be the one writing a love letter — to Belong.

Disclaimer: This piece is not intended to provide legal advice of any kind and we advise you to consult your attorney before making any decisions with regard to any issues described or raised herein.  

If the walls could talk, what would your rental home say about property management with great long-term tenants and 24/7 access to expert maintenance?

If Walls Could Talk: What A Rental Would Say About Property Management

If the walls could talk, what would your rental home say about property management with great long-term tenants and 24/7 access to expert maintenance? This is how we would image a letter from a rental home would sound when written to Belong. 

There was a while there I’d been feeling empty inside. But then you came into my life. Even got into my kitchen. Cleaned the cobwebs out of my head. Now I feel new again. Young. Full of life. A house with a purpose. And it’s all thanks to you finding me such a perfect family.

Special thanks goes to your vendor network of professionals, who so gently and expertly repaired all the damage that had been done to me over the years — and restored me to my original condition. Though I’d been living with a family for many years that loved me as much as I loved them, when I moved out, it was time for some fixes and upgrades. It’s what happens – lived in and loved house often shows it.

So now I’m back, feeling young as I ever have. My basement is so clean you could eat off the floor. But of course you don’t have to, because my dining room’s been fully restored, too.  Turns out that, underneath the shag carpet my previous owners put in back when Fonzie was on TV there was beautiful hardwood flooring. Parquet. 

The new residents absolutely love it. Actually, scratch that: They love me.  Everything about me, they love. And the feeling is mutual. I haven’t felt this appreciated in years!

It’s so good to be needed again. To be useful. To have someone to look after, and to have someone to look after me. To have people in my yard again, flowers growing in my soil, people sleeping peacefully on my second floor.  Even to have someone hiding from their in-laws in my attic is a delight. For a house, to feel alive is to foster life. 

And when this family needs to move on, I’ll miss them. But to love something is to let it go, the old saying goes. Plus, I know you guys at Belong will be there to find another family to love me, so I won’t be lonely for too long.

So thank you, Belong, for giving me a sense of purpose and direction. For helping me feel more alive than I have in years. It’s a special thing you’re doing, for houses like me — and for families like the one living under my roof.  It truly feels like we belong together.  (See what I did there? I bet you didn’t think inanimate objects were capable of punning!).

From finding good tenants to late rent and repairs, there's a lot of stressful situations when renting your home to someone else. Belong eliminates them all.

4 Stressful Problems Landlords Face (And How To Avoid Them)

Putting your home on the rental market can be stressful business, read on to find out how Belong is taking the headaches out of being a landlord with forward-thinking technology and a human approach. 

There are many reasons that renting a home to someone can be stressful. That’s why so many people opt for a traditional property manager. But that can create stress in and of itself, because they can be expensive and won't always deliver what you need. Belong is a property manager like none other, taking the uncertainty and stress out of renting your home. 

Here are four common stresses that homeowners face in the rental market and how partnering with Belong can avoid the headaches. 

1. Stressing about finding the right tenant

If you’re someone with a house that you love – but aren’t ready to sell – there are a lot of open issues to deal with. For example, finding the right tenant is not trivial – there’s showing, screening, validating – and all the legal work that goes with it. The experts at Belong have streamlined this entire process, so there’s no stress, no friction, ever. And in the unlikely scenario that they chose the 'wrong' tenant, Belong will cover legal costs up to $15,000 to handle the eviction process. 

Learn More: Discover Belong PRO, the best alternative to Property Management in Seattle, Redmond, Oakland, and many more cities across California, Florida and Washington State.

Nothing feels worse than not charging all the rent that your wonderful house deserves. How to avoid that? The folks at Belong have created an advanced “Market  Pricing Optimization” model. It uses specific data on your home and neighborhood to perfectly price your home to capture the most rent possible, without overpricing it (another problem!). 

This is the Big One. There’s a reason there are 60 million Google hits for “My tenant is late on their rent". Belong solves the problem in the most effective and obvious way possible: they guarantee the rent. They can even pay the entire year in advance.   Many people have told Belong that the guarantee made the difference between selling their homes and making them available for rent.

See why thousands of US homeowners are ditching outdated Property Management in San Francisco,San Diego, Los Angeles, Tampa, Jacksonville, Concord, Berkeley, Orlando and more.

You don’t need Murphy Brown – for those who remember that show and its live-in housepainter —  to tell you that finding reliable contractors can be challenging even in the best of times. These days, with the ongoing boom in construction, it’s beyond challenging — in fact it’s almost impossible. We’re currently in the midst of a major labor shortage: according to some tallies there are over 300,000 contractor jobs waiting to be filled.

Belong has an extensive vendor network of over 10,000 professional, vetted contractors across the country. Homeowners can ask their concierge to organise the right tradesperson for any job, 24/7. You can even subscribe to regular services, making maintenance one thing to truly cross off your to-do list and never stress over again. 

Belong takes the stress out of being a landlord

If you have any questions about these benefits — or want to know more about what Belong can do for you, or if your home qualifies to be on their platform — learn more at belonghome.com.

Repairs and upgrades are part of owning a self-managed rental property, but they don't have to be expensive. Here's a guide on where to save and when to splurge

Renovating Your Rental Property? Find Out Where to Spend & Save

Renovations and repairs are unavoidable when you own a self-managed rental property. The question becomes, how much do you really need to spend on those repairs and renovations? Here's a guide on where to save and when to splurge.

As anyone who ever invested in a washing machine knows stuff made today is built to break and be replaced. So even if you rent to residents who truly love and respect your home the way you do, wear, tear, and even breakage is inevitable, no matter how careful they are.  

But how much do you really need to spend on those repairs and upgrades? When does the investment make sense in the long-term? We’re so glad you asked. Without further ado, here are the top 3 places where you should spend up, and where you should scrooge out.

On a deep, primitive level we’re naturally drawn to light, open spaces: the brighter the room, the brighter and more optimistic we feel.  Conversely, the more cave-like the room, the moodier we get.  The external affects the internal, in other words: it’s the reason why people care so much about interior design and clothing, and why people like Marie Kondo and concepts like “hygge” — the Danish belief in the power of coziness — are so relevant state-side. 

That’s why investing in good, bright overhead lights is such a worthwhile step. It will not only make it easier to attract renters, but because of the lights, residents will feel happier in your home.  And the happier they are, the more likely they are to stay put long-term. That matters – because as you know, renter turnover is time-consuming and costly.

This is one of those investments where you tend to make up any difference in the upfront cost pretty quickly.  A sophisticated, efficient air conditioner not only keeps your residents cooler (and happier) in the summer, it will cut down on your electric bills over the life-cycle of the unit.  And because the life-cycle of the unit is longer, those savings will accrue over a much greater length of time. 

Better units also need less maintenance — which means you have to spend less on AC repair guys.

The other thing with new AC units is how aesthetically pleasing they can be.  Our favorite — the Midea U-Shaped unit — looks like it was designed by Jony Ive (who is famous for his Apple designs). They also run so quietly you forget that you even have them on.

We aren’t saying that you should install one of those super pricey units that mist the air and have a thousand different settings and replicate the sensation of standing naked in a springtime rain shower in Fiji. But there’s definitely a happy medium between that extreme and the kind of shower units you see in pre-war buildings and prison movies. 

A bright, shiny, new shower system not only looks good, but it signals to potential residents that you care about their well-being.  Which means they’re that much more likely to treat your home with love and respect over the course of the lease.  Not only that, but the newer models are more efficient in terms of water usage without forcing you to sacrifice on the quality of the experience itself. Truly a best of both worlds situation!

A few years ago, we probably would have been singing a different tune in regard to flooring.  But the truth is that these days there are vinyl flooring options that so closely replicate the look and feel of wood, it’s almost impossible to tell the difference. That is, until you spill a glass of water or move your couch: then you’ll notice that vinyl is far more water and scratch-resistant than its organic counterpart. Not only that, but vinyl is easier to clean than wood. Vinyl especially makes sense if you own a family-friendly house with multiple bedrooms, or if you rent to pet owners: not only is it more cost-effective, but it’s better suited to the needs of your residents. 

Sure, a shiny new Sub-Zero or Miele refrigerator looks great, but the price difference between those show-offy brands and a still-great but slightly-more-economical option is so huge that it will take years before the unit starts to pay for itself in terms of energy savings. And by that time, you’ll probably be in the market for a new unit anyway. 

Our thinking here is similar to our perspective regarding flooring: You can get new cabinet veneers that look much more expensive than they are, so you don’t have to sacrifice on aesthetics to get a clean modern look.  What’s more, many of the benefits of fancier cabinets can be replicated through DIY solutions: soft-close cabinets, for example.  So you can either pay a premium for a built-in solution, or you can buy a pack of 50 self-sticking rubber bumpers for seven bucks and deaden the sound that way.  It’s one of those situations where a little creativity goes a long way.

Whatever you choose, Belong can connect you to instant help with our extensive vendor network of over 10,000 professionals. Our concierge service is available 24/7 to all homeowners and residents, so we're ready to talk shop when it suits you. Especially in this day and age, when good contractors are almost impossible to find, it is a major advantage to have Belong watching your back.

Learn More: Discover Belong PRO, the best alternative to Property Management in Seattle, Redmond, Oakland, and many more cities across California, Florida and Washington State. 

This simple guide details your responsibilities and common landlord obligations (that you won’t need a legal degree to understand). 

6 Key Responsibilities of a Landlord: How to Rent Your Home Like A Pro

Becoming a landlord doesn’t need to be a daunting experience. We’re here to show you how, with this simple guide that details your responsibilities and common landlord obligations (that you won’t need a legal degree to understand). 

Is there anything more grown up than owning real estate? There sure is — it’s the double responsibility of owning a home that someone else will live in. Suddenly you’ve got the obligation of being a property owner, as well as a legal responsibility with its own set of requirements. But becoming a landlord doesn’t need to be a daunting experience. We’re here to show you how, with this simple guide that details your responsibilities and common landlord obligations (that you won’t need a legal degree to understand). 

Providing a safe and habitable home for others to enjoy        

Your basic responsibility as a landlord is to provide a safe and habitable space for someone to enjoy as their home. This is known as a “warranty of habitability” that applies to all leasing on a residential property. This legal standard makes perfect sense and is eminently fair: if you couldn’t live in your rental property, no one else should have to either. Of course, there are specifics and even legal requirements that make up this warranty, so let’s dive into them now. 

Landlord responsibility #1: A home that is sound and secure

It’s common sense that any property you want people to live in must be structurally sound and capable of providing basic shelter. But beyond that, it’s also your responsibility to ensure that the building complies with all state and local building codes. 

Before listing your home on the rental market, you need to ensure that everything is in good working order. When we work with homeowners, the first thing we do is prepare their homes for future residents — which includes having our own professionals come in to complete any property maintenance and repairs so you don’t have to worry about nasty surprises for your new tenant. 

Landlord responsibility #2: A home that has access to life’s necessities 

A house should be in good repair, but it also needs to be a livable space. As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure that the home offers:

Shelter and protection from the weather with functioning roof, exterior walls, windows and doors

A supply of hot water and cold running water

Working lights and safe electrical system

Safe and maintained floors and where applicable, stairways and railing that meet the local building codes, including handicapped access

At Belong, we connect people with houses worthy of love. That’s a high standard, but it’s core to our community. We ask our homeowners not to turn a blind eye to things that you feel like tenants may put up with. If you would fix it in your own residence, fix it in your rental home. 

Landlord responsibility #3: A home that is free of hazards

Your home should do no harm to the people that live there. That means it's your responsibility to ensure that there are no hazards and that safety measures such as smoke detectors are installed and working. 

Some states, including California, also recognize that the presence of toxic mold in a home can lead to severe health problems. As a result, in such jurisdictions, it’s a landlord’s legal responsibility to provide written disclosure if you become aware of mold in a home you are renting out. This applies when there is a significant amount of mold in a home (visible or hidden) that exceeds safe exposure limits and is therefore a threat to health. 

Since it is often difficult to assess the level of mold presence, you might need a contractor who specializes in this work. When a house is listed with Belong, we take on that responsibility. 

Landlord responsibility #4: A home that is pest-free

US Tenant laws stipulate that it’s a landlord’s responsibility to provide a clean premises, free of rubbish and vermin infestation. Different jurisdictions have their own definition of what constitutes vermin, but it’s safe to say that if it’s creepy and crawly — it shouldn’t be in your rental home.

One offender that causes landlords headaches is bed bugs. Despite its reputation, NYC isn’t the place most prone to bed bugs — it can and does happen all over the US. Particularly if you’re renting out a furnished house, it could be the landlord’s responsibility to ensure that it’s free of bed bugs for incoming renters.

This is one of the many reasons why we recommend that homes be rented unfurnished — furnished homes open you up to more chances of damage and pest problems. If you’re looking to attract long-term residents, let them bring their own stuff to make it feel like their own. 

Landlord responsibility #5: A home that can be enjoyed in peace 

A tenant's right to “quiet enjoyment” is a common phrase used in landlord-tenant law. This doesn’t mean getting SFO or LAX to re-route their planes from over your home, but it does mean that you need to be aware of those things you CAN control.

First, as a landlord, you may only enter your rented home during occupancy in the following scenarios:

To make needed repairs or assess the need for repairs (applicable to some states)

To show the property to prospective new renters or owners, dependent on the language in your lease agreement

Most states require you to provide 24-48 hours’ notice (written notice, that is) to residents before you enter a tenanted rental property. You can’t show up whenever you want to check how things are going. Nor can you use the property for your own storage, unless that is a lease stipulation.

What about responsibility to the neighbors?

Did you know that as a landlord you can be found liable to your neighbors if your residents interfere with their own ‘quiet enjoyment’? While it might be hard to imagine being held accountable for the actions of other people, it is your responsibility to ensure that the residents of your home are being respectful. This means making sure that the people living in your home aren’t throwing lots of loud parties, or that they aren’t involved in any criminal activity.

In some cities, a landlord can be held accountable and fined for a range of infractions, so it’s worth keeping note of your local quiet hours and making them clear to tenants. Your rental agreement should include provisions for tenants to respect the rights of residents of nearby properties or face eviction. If complaints are made, take them seriously and address them before the authorities get involved.

Landlord responsibility #6: A home that is well maintained

Maintenance is key to keeping any property in habitable condition. If your lease agreement doesn’t specify who will mow the lawn and remove the snow, it could be your responsibility.

If any necessary repairs are ignored and turn into a safety hazard, there can be consequences. Depending on local or state laws, your resident could withhold rent if you did not respond to a maintenance request in a timely manner. They could also hire an expensive third-party contractor to make the repairs and leave you footing the bill. 

If your home is looked after with Belong, you will never have to worry about repairs or chasing contractors. With an extensive vendor network of over 10,000 professionals, we put help at your fingertips. To really make maintenance a 'set and forget' experience, we can also arrange regular services on monthly subscription so they take place like clockwork. 

If you are a homeowner looking to make sure your home is right for tenants (and stays that way), we invite you to join Belong. Belong goes behind property management to create a rental experience that is tech-enabled, with a human heart. 

Belong is simplifying the rental experience and helping more homeowners reach their financial goals through real estate. Visit our homeowner's page to find out more about how our services are helping people to ditch property management in Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami and many more.

6 Key Responsibilities of a Landlord: How To Rent Your Home Like a Pro

Self-managing a rental home is challenging. Discover 7 issues you're likely to face and how to overcome them when taking a DIY approach to property management.

Top Challenges of Self-Managing a Rental Home (and How to Overcome Them)

Self-managing a rental home is not an easy road to passive income or long-term wealth creation. Most first-time rental owners confess it quickly became the second job they never asked for. But there are plenty of reasons why homeowners decide to roll up their sleeves and take control of their own rental property management. From the budget-conscious to the experienced and savvy hobbyists, DIY property management can be profitable if done well. 

If you’ve ever asked yourself “do I really need a property manager?” or even “how hard could it be?”, this article will get into the nitty gritty of navigating self management as a rental homeowner.

While you can avoid property management fees, successful self management of a rental home means taking on a lot of responsibility, legal liability, and work.



Over 7.7million households in the US are behind on their rent payments, so safe and effective rent collection is a must 



Local cities and jurisdictions have their own ordinances above standard housing laws, so do your research for your local area before putting your home on the rental market. 



Understanding your strengths and weaknesses as a property manager will help you determine what to take on yourself and when to outsource to professionals. 

What’s involved in managing your own rental property?

First things first, what does successful self-management look like for rental homeowners? It’s not as easy as listing your home online and kicking back while the cash rolls in. When you take on the responsibility of managing your own rental home, think of it like starting a business that you are in charge of. You’ll need to run your home like a business and keep tax documentation in the same way. 

Here is an idea of the kind of tasks you’ll be responsible for on an ongoing basis when you self-manage your own rental property:

Setting up accounting and bookkeeping to manage your rental income and tax

Getting up to speed with local laws and regulations including fair housing laws, tenant rights, eviction processes in your area, and safety regulations

Preparing your house for the rental market, including cleaning and repairs

Securing appropriate insurance coverage for liability, property damage, and potential rental income loss

Photographing and taking video of the home for marketing purposes

Analyzing your local rental market to determine a monthly rental price

Creating an online listing and marketing the home on popular rental websites

Running background checks and calling references for potential residents

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