What do you do for your renters when a crisis occurs?
Dustin Edwards • April 9, 2020
Key Actions to Help Your Renters in Times of Need
In any given economy someone is experiencing a crisis. It could be a health crisis, death in the family, loss of a job, severe accident or any number of unfortunate events. When a crisis occurs to an individual, sadly it doesn’t hit the headlines and that person is left to resolve their challenges with those that they are responsible to. If someone encounters a challenge they are often responsible to their employer, family, utility companies and yes their property management company (and the owner of that property).
With the current challenge of COVID-19 impacting a large majority of the US and global markets it brings to the forefront how to approach a crisis with not just one individual but many. Over the years we have dealt with a variety of challenges from those that we manage and we invite you to consider the following core principles to handle today’s scenario.
Open Lines of Communication
For many people, when they encounter a challenge they don’t want to acknowledge the issue. Whether it is fear of the unknown, embarrassment or just not knowing what to say many people default to saying and doing nothing which can cause a small challenge to become a larger one.
In times where there are larger economic forces impacting someone’s ability to pay we encourage people to send an email or even a letter out to their renters letting them know that you are there to understand their situation. Creating an open dialogue is a powerful step to ensuring you can find a solution that can work for all parties involved. Remember, even in times of larger economic impact not everyone is impacted the same and that means many renters can (and will) still make their payments.
Be Aware of the Laws at Every Level (Federal, State, County, and City)
Like many across the US we have been reading a wide array of articles on how people are handling the situation. Some property managers have been heavy handed threatening eviction, and some have demanded the stimulus check be sent to them. On the other end of the spectrum many tenants have felt that they can now enjoy “free rent” and that it should be mandated that there is “rent abatement”. With either of these extreme viewpoints there are challenges and most of these opinions have been developed from the stress and anxiety associated with meeting financial obligations.
As the property owner (or empowering your property management company) it is important to understand the laws at every level that pertain to a renter’s right as well as a property owner. In fast changing times, like now, it is important to understand how laws have been changed, even when they are temporary.
Take for example in the city of Los Angeles who passed protections related to evictions during these challenging times. Some renters took the moratorium as an opportunity for free rent, yet there are documentation requirements and the law mandate still identifies that “Tenants are still obligated to pay lawfully charged rent.”
Whether you decide to manage your own property or leverage the expertise of a property management company in Long Beach we encourage you to take the approach of creating open lines of communication and building a foundation of knowledge of property ownership rights to help you meet today’s challenge and more. When you would like help managing your rental property in Long Beach
we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247. We can also share with you our strategy for managing properties through these turbulent times.
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With the real estate market as competitive as it is, many landlords are looking into building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or Jr. ADU to improve their bottom line with additional monthly income. While this is a great way to earn more, you need to be sure you’re investing in the right upgrade to your property. Below are some of the key differences between ADUs and Jr. ADUs; this way, you can make the right decision for your property. Differences between Junior ADUs and ADUs On the surface, the primary difference between an ADU and a Jr. ADU is the square footage. However, there are many considerations for each type of ADU , significant differences include costs and build limitations. ADUs are generally seen as a larger and more versatile build when compared to a Jr. ADU. They can be built detached from the main home, converting an existing structure, most commonly the garage. In Long Beach, an ADU can be up to 800 square feet or 50% of the gross floor area of the primary dwelling, whichever is smaller. For reference, an 800 sqft living space can be arranged as a 2-bedroom 1-bath home, though with creative use of the space, many investors have been able to fit 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms comfortably. If listing the ADU for rent is the goal, this can produce a higher yield, though at the cost of a higher initial investment. Jr. ADU, on the other hand, can only be a maximum of 500 sqft and must be built attached to the existing single-family home. While you can build an entire new addition to accommodate the Jr. ADU, it's not uncommon for homeowners whose homes are bigger than they need to convert a bedroom into a Jr. ADU in order to have additional income . A Jr. ADU does still require an efficient kitchen. Bathrooms can be shared with the main house, though this can deter some prospective tenants. Additionally, the utilities are oftentimes shared with the main house, which can simplify installation, though it can complicate utility costs with your tenant. When an ADU is Right Being able to build a full ADU provides an entirely separate and private living space, which is more desirable to prospecting tenants. This is the preferred choice for most investors, especially those who have unused space in their property. By being built apart from the main house, an ADU may cause less disturbance to those living in the main house, whether that be yourself or another tenant. In Long Beach, CA. ADUs can’t be listed as short-term rentals on apps like Airbnb; that being said, an ADU can command more in rent because of the aforementioned features. If you’re looking for a long-term investment, ADUs increase your property’s value while generating a consistent cash flow. Finally, if you ever plan on selling your rental property, the additional ADU can improve the appeal of your property to future buyers. When a Jr. ADU is Right While a Jr. ADU doesn’t have the same potential as a full-sized ADU, Jr. ADUs are far more budget-friendly. These are a great option for investors who have limited funds. Since Jr. ADUs generally require less work to be done in less time, allowing you to begin making a return sooner. Finally, if your property doesn’t qualify for a full-sized ADU permit due to the size of the property lot, a Jr. ADU can be built primarily through interior work, which may only require reconfiguring existing interior space. Whether you choose a full-sized ADU or a Jr. ADU, the decision depends on more than just the size of the structure, you’ll have to manage filling the vacancy and managing the new tenant. If you need help choosing which ADU is right for you 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 .
Summer is a great time of year where people enjoy a number of outdoor activities. Though for landlords, summer brings with it a list of maintenance items and preventative care for their properties. Below, we’ve gathered three of the most important maintenance items to do before summer starts. Service your HVAC System Southern California summers are getting hotter and hotter, if you want to maintain tenant satisfaction you’ll need to have the HVAC or any A/C or cooling system properly serviced . Filters should be cleaned or replaced, and the ductwork should be inspected. For rentals with window units or mini-split systems should also be thoroughly inspected as well for optimal cooling. Doing proactive maintenance can reduce the risk of the cooling system breaking down during peak usage while also improving the system’s efficiency. This can lower utility costs for your tenants while extending the lifespan of your cooling system, saving you money in the long run. Additionally, consider inspecting your window and door seals for leaks. If the seals are broken, it allows hot air into the living space, this increases the cost associated with cooling while adding more load to the HVAC or cooling system. While not directly a part of the HVAC system, ensuring there aren’t any breaks in the seals helps extend the lifespan of your cooling system which is beneficial to your bottom line. Inspect your Roof The condition of a roof is oftentimes ignored since they tend to last over twenty years, and some property owners may not even be sure when the roof was last replaced . A poorly conditioned roof is one of the primary ways for a rental property to drive up the costs of repairs and tenant complaints. A damaged roof can inefficiently insulate a home, making it harder to keep it cool. It can also lead to water leaks during rainfall, which can lead to water damage, stains, and mold growth. While summers tend to be dry, the coastal cities such as Long Beach may see unexpected shifts in weather, which can bring sudden rainstorms or increased humidity. Fixing a small roof leak is relatively inexpensive, however, leaving said leak to grow can result in an emergency repair can cost thousands especially if a tenant has already moved in. A thorough roof inspection is a great maintenance item to do during a vacancy period especially as this can result in a positive experience with new tenants. This can lead to a long term stay with many lease renewals. Check for Signs of Pests Pest infestations are one of the fastest ways to ruin a tenant’s stay while also damaging a landlord’s reputation. Pests such as ants, cockroaches, other bugs, and rodents are common in many beach cities, especially during the warmer seasons. Being in a city, you’ll likely never truly be rid of pests, though, even a single complaint about an excess of bugs or rodent droppings can lead to bad reviews online, service calls, and in severe cases, lease termination. These pests not only create an unwelcome environment for your tenants, but they can also cause real damage to your investment property. Cockroaches are known to damage small wiring in appliances, ants can ruin food and get in everything, while rodents can chew through walls, plumbing, and even electrical wiring. Landlords should schedule regular ppest inspectionsto check for early signs of pest activity before the hotter season begins. Much like everything in this article, preventative maintenance is significantly cheaper than an emergency call, in this case to an exterminator. If you want to keep your tenants happy and your property well taken care of, preventative maintenance is a must. If you’re unsure about the signs to look for when doing routine inspections 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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