Blog Author: Elly Johnson

At the end of last month, the L.A. City Council unanimously voted to move forward with a plan to mandate air conditioning in all rental units within the city. Historically, the city has had relatively mild weather year-round, which hasn’t warranted an AC mandate. However, in recent years, the area is facing increasingly warm temperatures during the summer, causing councilmembers to reevaluate the need …

In major cities across the United States, housing markets seem to be cooling off. This initially sounds like good news for buyers, but prices remain at record highs compared to the market we saw before the pandemic. Although housing inventory has dramatically increased in 2023 compared to the previous year, in many places this increase still isn’t enough to make up for the plummeting …

When most of us think of a bachelorette party, we think of going out. Party dresses, decorative straws, and the “bride to be” sash are the typical images that come to mind. However, a new type of bachelorette party is arising in recent years. Many young crowds are opting for a weekend stay in a private home for a more personal bachelorette experience. The …

For property owners, real estate fraud is a very real risk. Unfortunately, there are many ways that fraud can occur, and it sometimes happens when you least expect it. Public notaries and other professional groups can be corrupt, so it’s important to be aware of all the opportunities when fraud can occur. Real estate fraud refers to someone attempting to fraudulently obtain the title …

Across the country, renter protections and eviction moratoriums that were established during the pandemic are receiving scrutiny from landlords. California in particular has some of the longest lasting renter protections; in some cities, landlords were still unable to evict tenants well into 2023, even if they’re unable to pay rent or have accrued a debt over the past few years. Research shows that most …

Imagine waking up to itchy, red bites all over your body, only to realize that the property you’re renting is infested with bed bugs. Let’s just say this isn’t anexperience that will encourage tenants to renew their leases. Bed bugs certainly aren’t a landlord’s fault, but they can quickly become a nightmare that threatens the markability of your property and the well-being of your …

Times are changing, and so are the desires of renters, especially in the multifamily industry. Property owners used to get a leg up on the competition with social, community-building amenities that encouraged renters to make connections with their neighbors in the building. While there is still value in creating a welcoming community in your building, social perks are just not as powerful as they …

In the Bay Area, Oakland is one of the last cities to uphold an eviction moratorium since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic — legislation that is now having unforseen consequences in the community. While initially designed to protect renters during an economically unstable time, the moratorium is now having negative effects on mom-and-pop landlords. Many tenants are taking advantage of the policies in …

Multifamily trends are showing that resident communication is one of the strongest indicators of how long residents will remain in a property. In an ever-changing market, apartment owners may find it difficult to keep residents around and encourage renewals over move-outs. In order to maintain high multifamily renewal rates in 2023, operators must constantly innovate and update their properties and practices. Acquiring lease renewals …

On Tuesday, April 18th, 2023, Seattle City Council held a vote to cap late rent fees in the city. The majority of councilmembers voted to cap late fees at just $10 a month, leaving renters happy and some landlords frustrated. This legislation was originally sponsored in March by councilmember Kshawma Sawant, but the cap was later raised to $50, or 1.5% of the tenant’s …