8 Common Questions a Landlord Should be Prepared to Answer
Dustin Edwards • October 20, 2021
Give Your Tenants Confidence with Essential Information
When new tenants move in, chances are they may have several questions for their landlord. While some of these questions are obvious, there are others that landlords may not consider ahead of time. These questions can catch landlords off guard, as they may not have a prepared answer on the tip of their tongue.
To help remedy this disconnect, here are eight questions new tenants may ask about your Long Beach rental, and sufficient ways to answer them.
“Is the security deposit refundable?”
California rental agreements cannot specify that a security deposit is non-refundable. As such, landlords have twenty-one days after a tenant moves out to either return the security deposit in full or provide a written letter explaining to the tenant why they are keeping the security deposit (such as unpaid rent or repairs). However, the security deposit can only go toward repairs on damages caused by the tenants, not repairs on accidental damages or general wear and tear.
For more information surrounding security deposits, we invite you to check out the California Courts website.
“When is rent due?”
For first-time tenants who are unfamiliar with rental properties, this is a perfectly natural question. While the answer will differ from landlord to landlord, most California rental agreements stipulate that rent is due on the first of the month or within the first five days of the month.
“Are there periods where the rent doesn’t go up?”
In Long Beach landlords can only raise rent once a year. Thus, your tenants will only face rental increases annually (or less depending on your personal discretion).
Effectively raising rent can be tricky for a landlord, but understanding the legality behind it can alleviate the process. Keep in mind there are limits on the amount that rent can be raised in Long Beach. You may read state law AB-1482 for additional details on how the rental increase may be handled. Long Beach has interpreted this law to cap rental increases at a maximum of 8.6%.
“What is included in the rent?”
Typically, rent includes water, sewer, and trash services, parking, and extra amenities (such as pool or gym fees for an apartment complex). Sometimes, water, sewer, and/or trash services will be billed to your tenants separately by the provider. Additionally, electricity, natural gas, internet, and cable TV services are not included in rent and will be billed to your tenants separately by the provider.
Rent also does not usually include renter’s insurance or furnishings (unless your Long Beach rental is a furnished apartment).
That being said, all these factors are specific to your property and, as such, you will need to provide a complete and thorough outline of what is included in your rent.
“What happens if I can’t pay my rent?”
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an eviction moratorium
currently in effect until September 30, 2021. Therefore, California law protects tenants from eviction until the aforementioned date, if they provide their landlord with a signed declaration within fifteen days of receiving a rental notice and pay 25% of all rent due from September 2020 through September 2021 by September 30, 2021.
Once that day rolls around, landlords can sue tenants who owe any unpaid rent. To combat this, tenants can apply to the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief, which may cover 100% of past-due rent. This protection lasts until March 31, 2022. Landlords cannot evict tenants who have applied to the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief
and are awaiting a response.
For more information surrounding California eviction protections regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we invite you to check out the California COVID-19 resource website.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, landlords needed to provide tenants with a three-day notice to pay rent. If tenants did not pay rent within those three days, then landlords could file an eviction lawsuit.
Following eviction, the tenant’s security deposit could cover unpaid rent.
“How long is the lease term?”
In California, standard lease terms cannot be longer than one year and can be as short as six months or even thirty days. The terms of the lease should be outlined in writing to remove any chance of he said, she said disputes.
Lease terms can be longer than one year if tenants and landlords reach an agreement in writing.
“Should I give notice if I am going on vacation?”
For any vacation, tenants should alert their landlord of an impending absence. That way, the landlord is aware that their property is vacant and they can periodically check on it.
Depending on the details of the lease, landlords may require their tenants to pay their rent early for a vacation that spans a month or longer.
“Is a pet deposit required?”
Pet deposits are a legal additional security deposit in California that can protect your Long Beach rental from any damages caused specifically by tenants’ pets.
The price of pet deposits can vary based on the tenants’ amount of pets, their breeds, their sizes, etc. Prices may be higher for certain breeds that are more active or prone to destructive behavior.
Similar to security deposits, pet deposits are refundable and can be returned to tenants in the same way as security deposits.
These are just some of the many questions tenants may ask when moving into your Long Beach rental. If you would like to discuss further questions tenants may ask and the best ways to approach them, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247, or you can fill out our Owner Application online.
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Your property’s roof is its first line of defense from the sun, rain, and wind. Which means it will eventually wear out. Many landlords overlook this since a roof is generally designed to last twenty or so years, and they simply forget until the signs begin to show. Below, we’ve compiled a short list of five signs it’s time to replace your roof for when doing property inspections. Tenant Complaints When your roof has become damaged, your tenants will likely be the first to notice. When tenants report water stains on the walls and ceilings, it's a sign that you should inspect your roof. In severe cases, your tenant may notice water dripping from roof leaks. This moisture, if left unchecked, can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can be a health concern for your tenants. Some tenants simply move out, assuming the odors or recurring respiratory issues are caused by the rental and not just the roof. This leaves you with a vacancy to manage, and if you’re unable to find the leak during this period, the following tenant may have a negative experience as well. Many landlords have found it beneficial to have property inspections regularly in order to preserve both the property’s value and the tenant’s trust. Roof’s Age Even with the highest quality materials, a roof still has a shelf life. Most roofs in Long Beach, CA, use asphalt shingles, and these generally last around twenty to twenty-five years. Once they've passed this threshold, the faults begin to show themselves. A sagging roof line is a sign that your roof is due to be replaced, as it's a serious concern. It often indicates that moisture has entered the underlying decking and caused some structural damage. From ground level, you may not be able to notice these problems. However, during an inspection of the property, an experienced inspector should be able to notice soft spots or contours on the roof. These forms of damage often get worse over time. Coordinating these inspections and preventative maintenance can be difficult for landlords with an extensive portfolio, which is why many enlist help. Shingle Damage Damaged shingles are one of the most obvious signs that your roof is deteriorating. If you ever notice cracking, curling, or patches with missing shingles, the roof is no longer providing adequate protection to your property. Although you can buy time with spot repairs, if the entire roof shows signs of damage, it’s likely time to replace the roof. Aside from protecting your property, the roof affects your property’s curb appeal. A patchy and worn-out roof can drive down the rental appeal. Prospective tenants will easily be able to spot the differences between pictures taken in the listing when compared to the property in person. This can not only hurt your chances of filling a vacancy, but it can also hurt your reputation as a landlord. Granules in Gutters After heavy rainfall, it's a good idea to inspect your rain gutters. If you or your property manager notice large amounts of black or gray granules, it means your roof shingles are breaking down. These granules are critical for shedding water off the roof. Once the granules fall off the shingle, the shingle begins to degrade faster under the sun and elements. If you’re not sure how old your roof may be, Loss of granules can be a strong indicator that your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan. Regular gutter cleaning and roof inspections can help catch these problems early before they become expensive repairs . Increase in Utility Bills Your tenants complaining about their utility bills increasing or poor temperature control in the rental may not realize the roof is to blame. A failing roof can result in subpar insulation and ventilation. This can lead to higher heating and cooling bills for your tenant. This can be frustrating for your tenants while putting more strain on the HVAC system. This puts more wear and tear on your HVAC system. Being aware of the warning signs and being proactive can protect your rental property, maintain tenant satisfaction , and avoid emergency repairs. If you need help inspecting your roof or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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