Notices, Disclosures and Addendums

When you invest in rental property, it is important to understand that much of what you can do is guided by local, state and federal regulations. In many cases, these regulations provide guidance for the disclosures which must be made to all tenants. This is a matter of law and failure to make proper disclosures can result in quite a bit of legal and financial trouble, so it is always best to ensure that you have made all of the proper disclosures.

While there are some disclosures which vary from one locality to another and it is always best to research the regulations for your own area, there are some regulations regarding disclosures that are common in most areas.

Lead-based Disclosures

This regulation is required by the federal government. To meet this requirement you should know when your property was built and specifically if it was built prior to 1978. In the event that it was, you will need to provide a specific booklet printed by the federal government regarding lead-based paint disclosure and have the tenant(s) sign a disclosure form. The booklet is called Protect your Family from Lead in your Home and it can be obtained from the EPA; Environmental Protection agency.

Hazardous Materials Notice

Be sure to check with your local ordinances to determine whether this notice is required. Essentially, it notifies tenants that a variety of materials were used in the construction and/or improvement of the property which may contain materials that could be hazardous or toxic.

Mold Notification

The subject of mold has become tremendously important in the last few years and is also one that can lead to a great amount of liability for property owners. Check with your local landlord’s association for guidance regarding notification of mold.

In some cases, the addendums which you provide to tenants may not actually have anything to do with potentially harmful elements in the property. In some cases, you simply may need to provide notification to tenants regarding specific rules and regulations which you establish.

One of the most common is a roommate addendum. This type of disclosure notifies tenants that each roommate is jointly liable for anything to do with their rental of the property. This prevents one roommate from skipping out and you facing a situation where the remaining roommate claims he or she is not liable.

A pet addendum is another important disclosure to consider if you are going to allow tenants to have pets in your property. Generally, it is best if you always have a description of the pet which the tenant will be bringing into the property. Perhaps you based your decision on allowing the tenant to have a pet because it seemed to be a mature, calm dog. Six months later; however, you discover that the tenant no longer has the calm dog and has replaced it with a puppy that is chewing up everything in sight. Making sure that you have a description of the pet which will be allowed to be in the property is always a good idea; otherwise, you may have no recourse since you agreed to let the tenant have a ‘pet.’ There is also the matter of exercising caution regarding certain breeds of dogs on the property. If you allow a tenant to have an aggressive breed of dog on the property and someone is bitten, you could be found to be liable.

Along those same lines, you may want to take a few extra steps to protect your property if you decide to allow tenants to have a pet. For example, increase your security deposit, just in case there are problems later on. Also, make a point to check with previous landlords while you are performing the reference check to determine whether the tenant has had a pet in the past and if so, whether there were any problems or damages. Finally, you may also wish to require tenants with pets to provide a copy of their pet’s registration papers as well as their vaccination records.

Guide to Vacation Rental Properties

While many investors who purchase rental property focus on residences intended for year-around living, there is no denying the fact that vacation rental properties can provide an excellent income revenue. Renting out vacation rental properties; however, can be much different than renting out a regular residence. There are numerous items that prospective vacation renters are looking for; so it is worth it to take the time to ensure that your property measures up.

First, always make sure that the property you consider is in a good location. Most people who consider renting property for their vacation have certain ideas regarding the geographic location that they want. The setting for the property should be relaxing and picturesque. The property should also be quite safe so that renters will know they can enjoy their vacation in peace and security.

Seriously consider a property that is family friendly. There is an extremely large market for family friendly properties which you can tap into. For a property to be family friendly, the furnishings should be able to easily accommodate children. This means that property should be sturdy and should not include a lot of easily breakable items. Ideally, the property should be in a location that will cater to families. Look for properties near pools with lifeguards as well as playgrounds.

Affordable rental prices can also be a great way to ensure that your vacation rental property is booked. A vacation rental property with a reasonable price is always attractive to vacationers because it offers them amenities with which no hotel is able to compete; including privacy, good views, a full kitchen and more space in which to relax.

In addition, take the time to make sure that the property really does feel like home. Kitchens should be well-equipped, furnishings should be comfortable and recreational equipment should be provided.

One of the main reasons that many people choose to rent a vacation home rather than stay in a hotel when they vacation is the fact that they want to enjoy plenty of space. This is especially true for families with children and extended families who vacation together. Assuring that your vacation rental property has a spacious feel to it can help to ensure that your property is attractive to those renters.

Keep in mind that it is becoming more and more popular for vacationers to combine their vacation with some other event such as a wedding or family reunion. If you want to cater to these groups, it is important to make sure that your property can easily host groups. One key feature for these types of rental properties is offering a reception room that can easily serve for different functions.

You might also wish to consider making the vacation property friendly for pets. Many owners are reluctant to do this because of the potential for property destruction. Keep in mind; however, that there is definitely a niche market for vacation rental properties that are pet-friendly. Most hotels do not provide this option, so it gives your property an advantage. If this is appealing to you, make sure the property is safely fenced. Consider installing wood floors instead of carpeting.

To make sure that your vacation property has a wide appeal, set up Internet access. Even while on vacation, most people want to make sure they have Internet access. You can do this using a DSL connection, WIFI or wireless connection.

Guide to Tax Deductible Expenses

If you own rental property, it is important to make sure that you understand possible deductions in order to improve your profit margin as much as possible. As the owner of rental property, it is always a good idea to consult a tax attorney or tax consultant in order to ensure that you have a good understanding of the items which may be potentially tax deductible. Below is a guide to some of the most common items which are frequently tax deductible for owners of rental property.

One of the most important things which must be understood when you are determining what you may be able to deduct is the difference between improvements and repairs. Many owners of rental property commonly make the mistake of believing that anything they do to their rental property is tax deductible. This is not always the case; however. A repair is essentially anything that you do to the property in order to keep it in good condition. As such, it is often tax deductible for the year in which the repair is paid for. Common examples of repairs would include repairing a broken toilet, painting, replacing faulty light fixtures, etc.

An improvement; however, is something that you do to the property in order to add value to it. As such, it is not usually tax deductible at the time when you pay for them. That said; however, you may be able to recoup the cost of improvements by depreciating the cost over the life expectancy of your property. Common examples of improvements would include adding a garage to the property, a new roof, etc.

Mortgage expenses are often one of the biggest and most common tax deductions you can take when you own rental property. Of course, this is only an option if you have a mortgage on the property. It should be noted that any expenses which you incur in order to obtain the mortgage are not actually deductible at the time you pay for them. Common examples would include appraisals and commissions. Once you begin actually making the mortgage payments; however, you will typically be able to deduct the portion of the payment that is paid toward interest. It is always a good idea to keep very good records; however, you should receive a Form 1098 from your mortgage company that will detail how much you have actually paid in interest for that year.

In some cases, you may incur travel expenses in relation to caring for your rental property. Keep in mind that travel expenses are typically only deductible if they are incurred in order to either maintain your rental property or to collect rent. In the event you had to travel to make improvements to the property, these expenses are not deductible immediately. Instead; however, you may be able to recover the cost as part of depreciating the improvements.

It is important to keep in mind that you usually have two options when it comes to how you can deduct travel expenses. You may choose to deduct the actual expenses or you may choose to take the standard mileage rate.

There are also many other expenses which you may be able to deduct on your taxes. These expenses may include insurance, lawn care, taxes, tax return preparation fees and any losses which result from casualties such as earthquakes, floods, thefts, hurricanes, etc.

If the rental property which you own is a condo or a cooperative, there may be some special rules which will apply. For example, with a condo you may pay assessments or dues which are intended to provide for the care of property which is commonly owned. These areas would include recreational areas, elevators, lobbies and the actual building structure itself. When renting out a condo, you can typically deduct expenses such as repairs, taxes, interest and depreciation; however, you cannot usually deduct any expenses which were spent on improvements. These costs must be depreciated over the life expectancy of the property, just as it would be when you own a single family rental property.

With a cooperative, you may be able to deduct expenses such as maintenance fees. Capital improvements are a different matter; however. You would not typically be able to deduct the cost of improvements and you also would not be able to depreciate the cost. Instead, you would need to add the cost of those improvements to a cost basis in the stock of the corporation. If this situation applies to you, be sure to speak with a tax attorney or tax consultant.

Always make sure that you are prepared to back-up any expenses which you deduct on your taxes. These expenses must be carefully documented and you will need to make sure you provide documentation, including receipts.

Guide to Showing your Rental Property to Prospective Tenants

In order to succeed when you invest in rental properties it is necessary to show your property to potential tenants. Just as if you were selling the property, you must make sure that the property is appealing to tenants in order to rent it out and begin collecting rental income.

First, it is important to understand that curb appeal can be just as important to tenants as it would be to buyers. Prospective tenants are often put off by properties which seem to be dilapidated on the exterior. In order to attract good tenants, you need to make sure that your property is inviting and shows the care that you have put into it. Even small rental properties can create a good first impression.

Repair issues should always be addressed prior to showing a property to prospective tenants. It is never a good idea to show a property which is still in the process of being repaired or renovated. Wait until the property has been completely fixed up before showing it.

You should also make sure the property is extremely clean. There is nothing worse for making a bad impression on a prospective tenant than a filthy property. Above all, be certain that the carpeting is clean. Ideally, it is best to have the carpet professionally cleaned after one tenant departs and before you show the property to the next prospective tenant. Be sure to allow plenty of time for the carpet to dry before you actually show the property to anyone. Never put off replacing worn carpet as this can cause problems in attracting quality tenants.

Take the time to make sure you know the best points of the property before you show it. Sit down and think about the best features of the property so that you can easily refer to them when you show the property.

Before you actually show the property, take the time to stop by the property to be sure that everyone is set to make a good first impression. If the temperature outside is quite cold or hot, be sure to stop by the property to set the temperature inside the property so that it will be comfortable. Generally, most people will not wish to remain inside a property that is either quite hot or cold. If the temperature is uncomfortable, there is a good chance that most prospective tenants will not stay around long enough to see the best features of the property.

In addition, you will need to make sure that you turn on the lights before you show the property. This is particularly important if you are showing the property at night. If the property is not well lit, prospective tenants may wonder if you are trying to hide something. The few dollars you will spend on having all of the lights on during showings will often translate into a good investment as you are able to attract good quality tenants to your rental property.

Do not hesitate to show off the exterior and the grounds of the property. If there is some interesting feature outside, make sure you show it off. The key is to give prospective tenants an idea of what it is like to actually live there and that includes showing off the grounds as well.

Finally, make sure you are always prepared for all showings. When you show a property, you need to make sure that you have a rental application on hand as well as a copy of the lease you use. You also need to make sure that you have decided on terms such as security deposit amounts, pet deposits and key deposits.

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