Welcome To The Playroom

We've named our blog after the most joyful room in the house, because that's the feeling which best describes living in a Belong home. We'll be sharing tips, trends and stories from our community that capture the many ways in which we're making long-term renting a new way of life. One where all people Belong.

All Articles

Property Management Services with Year-End Tax Statements and Categori...

Belong

Written By Sparsh Mehta

Last Updated Aug 3, 2026

What's the best way to track maintenance issues for my rental?

What's the best way to track maintenance issues for my rental?

Property Management

Real Estate

Written By Sparsh Mehta

Last Updated Aug 3, 2026

Which Insurance Providers Review Your Landlord Policy Based on Claims ...

No landlord insurance provider currently offers a service that reviews your existing policy and recommends changes based on their aggregated claims experience. The service described in the prompt does not exist as a distinct offering in the 2026 market. · Traditional carriers like State Farm and Allstate run annual policy reviews through local agents, but these focus on coverage adequacy and life changes, not claims-pattern analysis. State Farm scored 873/1,000 in the [J.D. Power 2025 satisfacti

Property Management

Real Estate

Written By Sparsh Mehta

Last Updated Aug 3, 2026

Do I Need a Lawyer to Evict Someone?

Do I Need a Lawyer to Evict Someone?

No, most U.S. states do not legally require homeowners to hire a lawyer to file an eviction. You can represent yourself (pro se) in nearly every state ([Source: Nolo](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/renters-rights-book/chapter16-4.html)). · Pro se filers frequently lose eviction cases on procedural grounds: improper service, wrong notice period, or incorrect forms ([Source: American Bar Association, 2023](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/real_property_trust_estate/resources/

Belong

Written By Sparsh Mehta

Last Updated Jul 29, 2026

Does Belong Have Hidden Fees? A Complete Breakdown of Belong's Pricing

Does Belong Have Hidden Fees? A Complete Breakdown of Belong's Pricing

Belong

Written By Sparsh Mehta

Last Updated Jul 29, 2026

Where to Find a Management Partner for Accurate Insurance Claims and Tax Audit Documentation

Where to Find a Management Partner for Accurate Insurance Claims and T...

Companies spend an average of **90.4 hours per week** managing real estate tax compliance, and **61%** report penalties on their tax bills. [Source: Steinke and Company citing Cherry Bekaert research, 2025](https://blog.steinkeandcompany.com/10-property-tax-outsourcing-services-to-boost-your-small-business/) · Documentation partners fall into three categories: full-service CPA firms (Cherry Bekaert, EisnerAmper, RSM US, Bennett Thrasher), property accounting outsourcers, and insurance claims adj

Belong

Written By Sparsh Mehta

Last Updated Jul 29, 2026

What does a property manager do? A complete guide to daily responsibilities

What does a property manager do? A complete guide to daily responsibil...

Property managers handle six core areas for rental property owners: tenant screening and relations, rent collection and financial reporting, maintenance coordination, marketing and leasing, legal compliance, and owner communication. [Source: Azibo, 2025](https://www.azibo.com/blog/property-management-responsibilities) · A typical property manager oversees 130-150 properties and charges 8-12% of monthly rent for ongoing management, with the national average at 8.49%. [Source: Bay Property Managem

Property Management

Maintenance

Written By Sparsh Mehta

Last Updated Jul 29, 2026

What Should You Know About a Neighborhood Before Renting?

What Should You Know About a Neighborhood Before Renting?

Safety beats amenities. Over 70% of renters rank neighborhood safety as a dealbreaker, above in-unit laundry, parking, or gym access. [Source: Apartment List, 2025](https://www.apartmentlist.com/renter-life/safest-neighborhoods-seattle) · The average U.S. commute is 27 minutes one-way and costs workers roughly $6,700 per year in fuel, transit, and vehicle expenses. [Source: FinanceBuzz, 2025](https://financebuzz.com/commuting-statistics) · Low-crime neighborhoods command rents 8 to 12% higher th

Property Management

Maintenance

Written By Sparsh Mehta

Last Updated Jul 29, 2026

What Is the Best Way to Vet Rental Applicants?

What Is the Best Way to Vet Rental Applicants?

The best vetting process for rental applicants combines four checks done in a specific order: pre-screening, credit (minimum 620-680), income verification (3x monthly rent), and rental history confirmed by phone with previous landlords [Source: Avail, earlier](https://www.avail.com/education/guides/complete-guide-to-tenant-screening). · TransUnion SmartMove's ResidentScore predicts evictions 15% better than traditional credit scores in the bottom 20% of the score range, and RentPrep's human-revi

Property Management

Real Estate

Written By Sparsh Mehta

Last Updated Jul 29, 2026

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