Smart Lebanon Property Management Means Being Fair and Non-Discriminatory

It’s important to know that fair housing law states that you cannot discriminate anyone from renting your residence based on gender, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, handicap, or familial status. But what about sexual orientation? According to the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana,

“Although sexual orientation is not identified as a protected class under the federal Fair Housing Act, the federal government has issued some recent guidance which provides some limited protection. According to the published Federal Rule by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) effective March 5, 2012, in order to ensure equal access for all eligible families to HUD programs “this rule requires that eligibility determinations for HUD-assisted or -insured housing be made without regard to sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.”

As a rental property owner, if you choose to ignore or break any of these rules or laws, you could find yourself in court. There have been several cases reported where lesbian or gay couples were refused a rental based on their sexual orientation. In most of these cases, the person who was being discriminatory was taken to court and had to pay a settlement.

To avoid legal trouble, and to be an effective rental property manager, you should be careful and respectful of all tenants no matter what. Be sure to not engage in misleading advertising that targets a specific group of people. At Real Property Management Indianapolis Edge, we are experts in property management. Lebanon, IN landlords trust us to know and understand all of the guidelines, rules, and regulations that come along with managing a rental property. With 25 years of experience, you can put your faith in our expertise. Give us a call today!

Smart Johnson County Property Management=Having a Game Plan

No sports coach is going to go into the big game without a proper strategy. Whether it’s the NBA Championship or the championship game between two local Pee Wee football teams, a good coach always has a strategy, or a game plan to win. It’s the same thing in effective property management. Johnson County, IN landlords know that if they want to succeed, they need a winning strategy. Real Property Management Indianapolis Edge is the leader in property management, and we want to share some effective tactics for your winning game plan.

1. Set aside money for future maintenance issues

Even if your rental property is only a few years old, maintenance repairs will be necessary. Save a bit of cash every month to plan for those repairs so you can come out swinging.

2. Keep your eye on those appliances

Especially during those hot summer months, air conditioning units and other appliances are more likely to break because they’re working so hard to cool the house down. Conduct regular property inspections so you know when appliances are showing signs of breakdown and when you might need to replace them.

3. Prepare for an ongoing flow on tenants

Yes, even that golden tenant will eventually move out. More people consider renting a temporary situation, and they will move on if a better opportunity comes along. Plan to replace the carpet, touch-up paint, and maybe even remodel when tenants move out.

If you really want to hit it out of the park in property management, hire Real Property Management Indianapolis Edge. With over 25 years in the industry, we have the expertise to help you. So, the ball is in your court. What are you waiting for? Give us a call today!

Expert Property Management Means Knowing Fair Housing Laws

So you’ve bought a rental property in Brownsburg, Indiana. Great choice! It’s an excellent place to get started in property management. Brownsburg was ranked as the #1 place to live in Indiana in 2009 by CNN Money Magazine, and also comes in as #33 in the nation.

The first thing you think to yourself when you buy your rental property is, “I can’t wait for a nice, clean, responsible tenant to move in. Ideally they will have no pets and kids older than 5 so there will be less damage to my property.” Well, sorry, but as a rental property owner, you can’t pick and choose who rents your unit. Fair Housing Laws state that you cannot discriminate anyone from renting your residence based on gender, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, handicap, or familial status. So, while you might want to cater to a specific type of demographic, you absolutely cannot because it is against the law.

Brownsburg property management is made easier with Real Property Management Indianapolis Edge. We screen all tenants before they rent your unit while following all Fair Housing Laws and regulations. We check employment, credit, criminal, and rental history on applicants over 18 years old so that you will have a tenant who meets all the necessary criteria without discrimination. We make sure that all of our application questions avoid the following topics: religion, sexual orientation, or type of disability. Our experts know that service animals are not considered pets and are always allowed if proper documentation is provided. Managing a rental property can come with the occasional headaches and hassles, so put our team to work for you today and avoid all that! Contact one of our professionals now to get started.

Minimize Risk to You and Your Tenants By Playing it Safe

We’ve all heard the expression, “It’s better to be safe than sorry”. If you own several rental properties, or are just getting started in Hamilton County property management, the safety of your rental should be a major concern. Not only are there city and county safety codes and regulations to follow, but it just makes good business sense. At Real Property Management Indianapolis Edge, we make tenant safety a top priority. Here are some tips to keep your rental property secure, and your tenants out of harm’s way.

Safety Starts on the Inside

●       Replace batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and ensure they are all working properly

●       Provide your tenants with a list of emergency information, such as the nearest hospital, fire station, and local police station

●       Re-key all locks around the property, and change all garage door codes. In some areas, you may also want to add deadbolt locks or top locks on the front and back doors.

Don’t Forget About the Outside

●       If your rental property has a backyard fence, be sure it is in good condition with no easy access to the house.

●       All trees should be properly trimmed and not blocking any windows or exits.

●       Cut back any shrubs that are getting in the way of sidewalks or walkways

●       Ensure all rain gutters are functioning correctly.

●       You may want to add security cameras or motion lights if there is a real cause for worry.

You’re in good hands with Real Property Management Indianapolis Edge. Our number one goal is help landlords succeed in rental property management. Hamilton County, Indiana is a great place to get started with lots of options for great rental properties. Contact us today to find out more.

Rental Property Yard UpKeep: Who’s In Charge of It?

Taking care of your front and back yard isn’t always a bed of roses. Sometimes it can be that thorn in your side! If you’re new to Franklin property management, and you don’t have a green thumb, it’s best to pick a rental property with a yard that can be easily maintained. A yard that is mowed, trimmed, and weeded regularly keeps the property value of your home high and the tenants and neighbors happy. When signing a leasing agreement with your tenant, you should be clear about who is in charge of yard work and what the expectations are.

The Landlord’s Priority is Safety

The landlord is responsible for any outside safety issues. For instance, if a tree has overgrown to the point that it is blocking a walkway, the landlord needs to have it trimmed or removed. If you live out of state, you can always call a landscaping company to come and take care of it for you. If concrete on the driveway is cracked and it is causing the tenants concern, you are responsible for having a professional look at it.

Tenants Do the Everyday Work

In most cases, if tenants are physically capable, they are in charge of everyday yard upkeep like weeding and mowing. They are signing a contract to that effect, so it becomes their responsibility. Again, a tenant can always have someone else do it if they prefer not to, but that needs to be agreed to and talked about at the lease signing.

Real Property Management Indianapolis Edge makes it easy to succeed in property management. Franklin, IN landlords and tenants can trust us to guide them through the leasing process. Contact us today!

Beat the Heat With These Summer Maintenance Tips

Is there anything worse than a hot, humid summer day with no A/C? Hotter temperatures in the summertime mean your A/C, fans, and coolers have to work a lot harder to cool the house down. Westfield property management is made easier and more effective with proactive summer property inspections. They can help you catch any cooling system problems before they break and keep your tenants cool and happy. Here are some things to check:

1. Ceiling Fans

Make sure all the screws are on tight and that the blades are circulating properly. Some fans have a switch on them that you can adjust for hot air rotation and cold air rotation. So if the heat is on the fan will distribute the heat evenly throughout the room and vice versa. Check that all ceiling fans in the rental home are in working order, and if they are not, fix them or replace them.

2. Swamp Coolers and Air Conditioning Units

Since these systems can be a little complex, ask a professional to take a look at them to ensure they’re working as they should. Have spare air filters handy so that you can replace them at regular intervals when necessary.

3. Windows and Doors

Double check that the seals and the latches on all windows and doors are airtight so no cool air is escaping out.

Don’t let your tenants swelter in the sizzling heat. Summer property inspections are your ticket to successful (and cool) property management. Westfield, IN landlords trust Real Property Management Edge to conduct routine property inspections to save them time and money. Call a member of our team today.