Blog Post

8 Common Questions a Landlord Should be Prepared to Answer

Dustin Edwards • October 20, 2021

Give Your Tenants Confidence with Essential Information

Common Tenant Questions
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. 

Share this post

3 Common Issues That Cause Heaters To Go Bad

By Dustin Edwards • December 19, 2024
If you're properties are suffering from lack of heating this winter, these 3 common issues could be the cause.

Do These 3 Things To Help Tenants Stay Warm During Winter

By Dustin Edwards • December 12, 2024
Although Southern California’s winters are typically mild when compared to other parts of the country, tenants still value a warm home during the cooler months. Taking steps to maintain a comfortable living environment shows your tenants that their needs are being prioritized. This is crucial for tenant satisfaction, especially during the holidays. Below are three methods to help keep tenants warm during the winter season. Maintain Heating System It's required for landlords to provide rentals with a working heating system, however, it's not uncommon for these to fall into disrepair either because of lack of maintenance or negligence. Scheduling regular inspections and maintenance before the coldest weather can help to ensure the heating is reliable and efficient. Cleaning air filters, and checking for cold spots, or irregular noises can help prevent small issues from escalating into expensive repairs. Preventative maintenance can help to reduce the chances of inconvenient calls for emergency repairs. Being proactive with your maintenance can also help you protect your investment while earning goodwill from your tenant. Another factor that can affect your heating system is drafts around windows and doors. These drafts can cause your heating system to overwork which makes the system less efficient, and reliable and ultimately reduces the lifespan of your heating system. You can address this by inspecting the seals around doors and windows for gaps or cold spots. Replace worn-out seals and caulking where it's needed. Offer Smart Thermostats Consider providing your tenants with a smart thermostat for energy-efficient heating. This can not only give tenants control over their comfort, but it's also a great tool to reduce energy usage. By providing this upgrade to your tenant, you show a commitment to your tenant’s satisfaction which can in turn result in a long-term tenant. These kinds of devices definitely benefit your tenants, though they can also contribute to the longevity of your rental property as well. Additionally, you can give your tenant a smart thermostat as a holiday gift . This can show your tenant that you’re not simply collecting rent while protecting your investment. Reverse Ceiling Fans The direction in which a ceiling fan rotates is oftentimes overlooked, and it can have a great effect on the temperature of a home. A ceiling fan is typically seen as a way to cool down a home during the hotter seasons without using the air conditioning . Reversing the spin of a ceiling fan can help to circulate warm air more efficiently during the cold season . This is because warm air rises, and a fan rotating clockwise will push the warm air back down helping maintain warm temperatures. Most fans have a switch on the motor and it is easily accessible for most people with a step ladder. This easy adjustment helps reduce the need for your tenant to use the heating system. Tenants will notice a more consistent and comfortable temperature indoors. This should also help reduce costs on their energy bill. Reversing the rotation of the ceiling fans also takes some of the strain off of the heating system. This helps to ensure it operates efficiently for years by reducing the wear and tear on it. Taking proactive steps this winter season to ensure your tenant’s comfort demonstrates a landlord’s commitment to their tenant’s comfort. A comfortable tenant is a satisfied tenant , which can lead to a long-term tenant and steady rental income. Consider it a small investment for long-term success. If you need help keeping your rental warm or managing Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .

Top 3 Gifts For Tenants

By Dustin Edwards • December 5, 2024
Discover 3 Gift Ideas for your tenants this holiday season.
Show More
Share by: