Category: Landlord Tips

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Landlord Tips

Landlords: Ditch Spreadsheets for Accounting Software

Spreadsheets are old fashioned and limiting. Landlord accounting software to superior.

Managing rental properties efficiently is crucial for success. One of the most tedious tasks landlords face is tracking rental income and expenses. Many landlords resort to using spreadsheets for this purpose, but are spreadsheets the best option? In this blog post, we’ll delve into why landlords should abandon spreadsheets and opt for dedicated rental property management software instead.

The Spreadsheet Struggle w/ Rental Income and Expenses

Spreadsheets have been a longtime go-to for many landlords to track their rental income and expenses. They offer a basic way to organize data and perform simple calculations. However, as property portfolios grow, spreadsheets become increasingly inadequate for comprehensive property management. Here’s why:

  1. Prone to Errors: Despite their utility, spreadsheets are prone to human error. One small mistake in a formula or cell can lead to significant inaccuracies, impacting financial records and decision-making.
  2. Limited Functionality: Spreadsheets have limited functionalities compared to dedicated rental property management software. They lack features tailored specifically for property management, such as automatic recording of online rent payment and report generation like a profit and loss statement.

The Benefits of Landlord Accounting Software

On the other hand, rental property management software offers a plethora of benefits that streamline processes:

  1. Automated Tracking: Rental property management software automates the tracking of rental income and expenses. It syncs with bank accounts, allowing transactions to be imported automatically, reducing manual data entry and minimizing errors.
  2. Comprehensive Reporting: These platforms generate comprehensive reports, providing landlords with insights into their property performance, cash flow, and expenses. With just a few clicks, landlords can access detailed financial statements and tax reports like a Schedule E Helper report with RentalIncomeExpense.com.
  3. Scalability: As landlords scale their property portfolios, rental property management software scales with them. Whether managing a single unit or multiple properties, these platforms offer scalability and flexibility to accommodate growing needs.

While spreadsheets may suffice for basic tracking, they fall short in meeting the complex needs of modern property management. Landlord accounting software can help landlords improve efficiency, minimize errors, and ultimately maximize returns on their investments. With the right tools in hand, managing rental properties becomes less of a burden and more of a streamlined, profitable endeavor.

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Landlord Tips

Items Landlords Should Include in a Tenant Welcome Packet

Welcome packets are a nice gesture and helpful for new tenants.

Welcoming new tenants to your rental property is an important step in fostering a positive landlord tenant relationship. One effective way to make a great first impression and set the tone for a successful tenancy is by providing a tenant welcome packet. This packet serves as a helpful resource for tenants, ensuring they have all the necessary information and resources at their fingertips. Here are a few things landlords should include in the tenant welcome packet:

Cover Letter

Begin the welcome packet with a friendly cover letter. Express your gratitude for choosing your property, provide your contact information, and let them know you are available for questions or concerns. Include emergency contact details for urgent matters, such as maintenance or security issues.

Lease Agreement & Property Rules/Checklists

Include a copy of the signed lease agreement. This is a crucial document that outlines the terms and conditions of the tenancy, including rent amount, due dates, and rules. Encourage tenants to review it thoroughly and keep a copy for their records.

Clearly outline the rules and regulations specific to your property. This can include policies on noise, parking, trash disposal, and any other important guidelines to ensure a harmonious living environment. Include a detailed move-in/move-out checklist. This document helps protect both landlords and tenants by documenting the condition of the property upon arrival and departure. Encourage tenants to complete and return it promptly.

Utilities Information & Appliance Manuals

Include details on utility providers, contact numbers, and information on how tenants can set up or transfer utility services in their name if necessary. This ensures a smooth transition for tenants. If your rental property comes with appliances, provide manuals for each one. This can be especially helpful for tenants unfamiliar with the appliances in the unit, allowing them to troubleshoot issues and use the appliances efficiently.

Offer a list of nearby services and amenities such as grocery stores, medical facilities, schools, public transportation, and recreational areas. This information helps tenants acclimate to the neighborhood and feel more at home.

Welcome Gift

Consider including a small welcome gift, such as a local restaurant gift card or a basket of essential household items. This thoughtful gesture goes a long way in making tenants feel valued and appreciated. If you want to expense the gift, remember to record it at RentalIncomeExpense.com or another income expense tracking tool.

A well-crafted tenant welcome packet sets the stage for a positive landlord-tenant relationship. By providing essential information and resources upfront, you not only make the move-in process smoother but also contribute to a more positive living experience for your tenants. Remember, a happy tenant is more likely to be a responsible and long-term tenant.

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Landlord Tips

Pros and Cons of Including Utilities in the Rent

There are pros and cons for landlords who include utilities in the rent.

As a landlord, striking the right balance between providing an attractive rental property and managing costs is crucial. One decision that often comes into play is whether to include utilities in the rent. Let’s delve into the pros and cons of including utilities in the rent for landlords.

Pros

  1. Streamlined Finances: One of the primary advantages for landlords is simplified financial management. Including utilities in the rent means a predictable, fixed income each month. This streamlining can make budgeting and planning for property expenses more straightforward, reducing the likelihood of financial surprises.
  2. Competitive Edge: Offering a rental property with included utilities can make it more attractive to potential tenants. Some tenants appreciate the convenience of a single, fixed monthly payment that covers all essential services. This could give your property a competitive edge in the rental market, potentially attracting a larger pool of tenants.
  3. Reduced Administrative Burden: Managing utility payments, dealing with late fees, and ensuring timely payments from tenants can be time-consuming. When utilities are included in the rent, landlords can reduce the administrative burden associated with tracking and managing separate bills. And for those landlords using an income expense tracking tool like RentalIncomeExpense.com, recording a single amount is faster than dealing with different amounts to track.

Cons

  1. Potential for Higher Costs: While including utilities simplifies financial management, landlords must carefully calculate and set the rent to account for average utility costs. There is a risk of setting the rent too high if utility expenses are overestimated, potentially deterring cost-conscious tenants. And there is a risk of setting it too low and not covering all utility expenses.
  2. Limited Tenant Accountability: When landlords include utilities, tenants may be less motivated to conserve energy or water, leading to higher overall usage. This lack of individual accountability can result in increased utility costs for landlords. Implementing energy-efficient appliances or clearly outlining expectations in the lease agreement can help mitigate this issue.
  3. Complexity in Shared Spaces: For landlords managing multi-unit properties, including utilities in the rent can become complex when shared spaces, such as hallways or common areas, are involved. Determining the fair distribution of these costs among tenants can be challenging, potentially leading to disputes or additional administrative tasks.

In conclusion, the decision to include utilities in the rent as a landlord involves a careful consideration of your financial goals, the rental market in your area, and the nature of your property. While it offers simplicity and competitive advantages, it’s essential to weigh these against the potential for higher costs and the complexities that may arise, especially in multi-unit properties. By understanding the pros and cons of including utilities in the rent, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your overall property management strategy.

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Landlord Tips

How Landlords Can Automate Income Expense Tracking

Landlords can automate income expense tracking with related services.

As we’ve already discussed, landlords need to keep good records of their rental property income and expenses. They need this information to satisfy tax reporting requirements. It is also valuable information to see if renting is generating positive income. Unfortunately, tracking income and expenses is time consuming and boring. With all of the options available from a spreadsheet to landlord accounting software, each one has its pros and cons. RentalIncomeExpense.com is a free tool and a way landlords can automate income expense tracking for their rental property.

Related Services to Automate Income Expense Tracking

Landlords who use ClearNow for online rent payment benefit from the automatic recording of rents received and service fees paid in RentalIncomeExpense.com. For example, when tenants pay rent via ClearNow, the rent landlords receive is automatically recorded in RentalIncomeExpense.com. Similarly, the fees landlords pay to collect rent online is also automatically recorded in the landlord software. So just by using ClearNow, landlords can save time and eliminate the need to manually record rental income and the associated expenses every month.

Designed for landlords, RentalIncomeExpense.com is simple yet powerful landlord accounting software. Because it is free, landlords lose little when trying it out before taking out their wallets and purchasing software for their rental property needs.

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Landlord Tips

The Art of Painting: Benefits for Landlords

Painting can make rental property look and feel new!

Landlords have a challenging job from finding the right tenants to maintaining the property’s condition. One often overlooked aspect of property management is the importance of regular painting. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of painting for landlords and why it should be an integral part of property maintenance.

  1. Enhanced Curb Appeal

First impressions matter, and this couldn’t be truer in the world of real estate. A well-maintained and freshly painted property will attract more potential tenants. It creates a positive first impression. Improved curb appeal helps reduce vacancy periods ensuring a steady income stream for landlords.

  1. Increased Property Value

Painting isn’t just about aesthetics. It also adds value to your property. When you invest in quality paint and professional painting services, you’re essentially increasing the worth of your investment. This can be particularly beneficial if you plan to sell the property in the future, as a freshly painted interior and exterior can boost your resale value.

  1. Protection Against Wear and Tear

Rental properties endure a higher level of wear and tear compared to owner occupied homes. Regular painting helps protect your property’s surfaces from damage caused by daily use, weather, and other external factors. For example, cracks in walls and ceilings can be entry points for pests such as insects and rodents. Regular painting helps seal these gaps, making it difficult for pests to infiltrate your property. Painting as a preventive measure can save you money on costly repairs and replacements down the line.

4. Tenant Retention

Happy tenants are more likely to stay longer, reducing tenant turnover and the associated costs of finding new tenants. A freshly painted property can make your current tenants feel more comfortable and satisfied, increasing the likelihood that they’ll renew their lease.

5. Energy Efficiency

When you paint your property, you have the opportunity to choose energy-efficient paint options. Lighter paint colors, for example, can reflect more sunlight, reducing the need for artificial lighting and potentially lowering utility bills for both you and your tenants.

Conclusion

The benefits of painting for landlords are not just a cosmetic enhancement for rental properties. From improving curb appeal and property value to protecting against wear and tear, the benefits are clear. So, if you’re a landlord looking to enhance your property’s appeal and long-term value, consider making painting a regular part of your property maintenance routine. The investment in paint and professional services will pay off in the form of happier tenants, reduced turnover, and a more valuable investment. And an added bonus is that landlords can expense the costs related to painting rental property. Be sure to track this expense with a landlord accounting tool like RentalIncomeExpense.com.

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Landlord Tips

Tips to Prepare for a Rental Property Showing

Cleaning and decorating can prepare for a rental property showing.

Landlords need to invest time and money to prepare for a rental property showing. Filling vacancies quickly affect the bottom line. The longer the unit stays empty, the less rent revenue the landlord enjoys. Here are some quick and easy things landlords can do to prepare for a rental property showing.

Clean Inside

The most ideal tenant will leave the rental property in the same pristine condition as when they moved in. Unfortunately, this is not reality. Standard wear and tear require landlords to clean the inside of the property. Investing in a cleaning service will save landlords time with this chore. Once the unit is cleaned, landlords can address maintenance issues.

Renovate/Fix

With a clean unit, landlords can focus on areas of renovations or improvements. For example, replacing flooring or appliances, repairing plumbing, or painting walls will freshen up the look and feel of the property. Similar to a cleaning service, landlords can schedule painters, electricians, and plumbers to address areas of concern.

Clean Outside

First impressions can be a deal breaker. If a prospective tenant cannot get past the exterior of the rental property, then the landlord loses a potential tenant. Landlords can hire lawn maintenance services to ensure the exterior of the property is in pristine condition. Cutting the grass, trimming trees, and power washing the building are simple steps that can create a clean and positive impression.

Stage to Prepare for a Rental Property Showing

For many, it is much easier to visualize a room when it is furnished. Landlords can help tenants make a decision by staging the property. In these cases, landlords can hire companies that take care of decorating the property so tenants can get a feel of how it would be to live in.

Conclusions

Landlords should keep track of the expenses involved when they prepare for a rental property showing. Using landlord accounting software like RentalIncomeExpense.com make it easier to track many of these expenses that can be deducted at tax time.

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Landlord Tips

Top Ways to Advertise an Apartment for Rent

Landlords have different ways to advertise an apartment for rent.

When it comes to advertising an apartment for rent, reaching a wide audience and showcasing the property’s unique features are essential. Equally important is understanding how your future tenants seek information. Here are three effective ways to advertise an apartment for rent:

Online Listing Platforms

In today’s digital age, online listing platforms are the go-to method for advertising rental properties. Especially for a younger or tech-savvy tenant, landlords should advertise on popular real estate websites such as Zillow or Apartments.com and create a compelling listing. High-quality photos of the apartment, detailed descriptions highlighting its features and amenities, rental terms, and contact information are important pieces of information to include in the listing.

Some allow you to include virtual tours using 360-degree photos or videos. This allows potential tenants to explore the space remotely and get a comprehensive view of the property’s layout and features. Virtual tours are especially valuable for attracting out-of-town or busy individuals who may not have the opportunity to visit the apartment in person.

Social Media Marketing

Harness the power of social media to promote your apartment for rent. Create visually appealing posts featuring photos or videos of the property and share them across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Utilize relevant hashtags, such as #ApartmentForRent or #CityNameRentals, to increase visibility. Consider running targeted ads on social media platforms to reach a specific demographic or geographic audience as a way to advertise an apartment for rent.

Local Advertising

While online platforms are crucial, don’t underestimate the power of local advertising methods to attract potential renters in your area. If you have an older or less tech-savvy tenant audience, eye-catching “For Rent” signs with clear contact information placed outside the property can be effective. Utilize local newspapers, community bulletin boards, and neighborhood newsletters to advertise an apartment for rent. Additionally, reach out to local real estate agencies or relocation services to see if they can assist in promoting the vacancy to their networks.

As landlords, advertising an apartment for rent involves cost. Keep track of advertising expenses as you normally do whether it be using an Excel spreadsheet or free landlord accounting software like RentalIncomeExpense.com.

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Landlord Tips

Superior Tool to Zillow Rental Spreadsheet

There are better tools than the Zillow rental spreadsheet for landlords.

If you’re searching for rental properties, you may have heard of Zillow. Zillow is a popular online real estate platform that allows you to search for homes, apartments, and other properties for rent or sale. It also provides some real estate tools including a Zillow rental spreadsheet, which is a tool that helps landlords track income and expenses. It is free to download and use, however, it lacks some features that are important to have when managing rental property.

Limitations of Zillow Rental Spreadsheet

  1. The spreadsheet is designed for up to five properties. If you start using the Zillow worksheet, you’ll quickly run out of room if you have more units. Or, if you have a roommate situation and want to track which individuals have paid rent, then you’re limited again. You need to add more lines to the spreadsheet to accommodate more properties.
  2. The Zillow rental spreadsheet does not generate reports. Do you want to know the profit and loss for an individual property? The Zillow worksheet only totals the income and expenses for all properties and shows that number as a cell. You cannot view profit and loss by month. Additionally, the worksheet cannot easily generate a report to help complete Schedule E, which needs to be filed at tax time with Form 1040.
  3. You need to know how to use a spreadsheet. When you download the Zillow rental spreadsheet, you will need to open it in a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets to use it. And if you add additional lines to the spreadsheet, then you will need to update the formulas to capture totals. So you will need some knowledge of spreadsheets to comfortably and accurately navigate your data.

RentalIncomeExpense.com is a Superior and Free Tool

A better, completely free alternative is RentalIncomeExpense.com is designed for landlords. It is free. Landlords simply enter income and expense information based on Schedule E categories. You do not need to adjust formulas based on information you record. You can generate reports including profit and loss and Schedule E Helper with just one mouse click. And, there is no limit to the number of properties you can track.

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Landlord Tips

Winter Maintenance Tips for Landlords

Winter Maintenance Tips
Winter is a time of year when we need to be extra vigilant about rental property maintenance.

Landlording is a year round business. In other words, it is not a seasonal business. Winter is a time of year when we need to be extra vigilant about the maintenance of our homes. The winter months bring changes in weather and drops in temperature. Here are some simple winter maintenance tips for landlords to prepare.

Keep Tools at the Ready

In order to keep your property in top shape during the winter, you should make sure that you have all the necessary equipment at hand. In snow-prone areas, snow blowers and shovels are essential. For snow blowers, make sure the machines are primed and filled with gas and oil. Clean the machines in the fall so they are ready to use immediately in the winter.

Prep the Yard & House

Winter is a good time to trim bushes and cut back trees. Bad snow storms can knock down trees. You don’t want trees to fall on your property and cause damage. While you’re taking care of the landscaping, it’s a good time to also clean the gutters and check the chimney. Debris and water in gutters can cause more harm as temperatures drop. And having a clean chimney can prevent potential fire hazards as your tenant may want to keep warm by the fireplace. Changing filters regularly is among the winter maintenance tips for landlords. Additionally, you should check pipes and drains to make sure they are not frozen and try to avoid any possible water leaks by keeping gutters clear.

These winter maintenance tips for landlords will incur some form of cost. Fortunately, it is easy for landlords to track them in landlord software. By tracking expenses, landlords can run reports that may help make budgeting easier for future years. RentalIncomeExpense.com follows the Form 1040 Schedule E expense categories.

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Landlord Tips

How to Advertise a Home for Rent

Advertise Home for Rent
Landlords can advertise a home for rent online to maximize number of applicants.

When a vacancy becomes available, landlords need to know how to advertise a home for rent. Landlording is a business. And rental income happens with a paying tenant. So the sooner a landlord can fill a vacancy, the sooner the landlord will generate income. It can be a daunting task, however, to navigate the rental market and successfully advertise a home for rent. The following tips can help make the process easier and draw in more potential applicants.

First, it is important to ensure the home is in good condition. Investing in basic repairs and upgrades to the interior and exterior of the property can go a long way in attracting tenants. Such activities include painting, landscaping, and even just a good cleaning.

Next, create an eye-catching advertisement. Provide a detailed description of the home, benefits of living in the area, and your contact information. You can describe your rental home’s proximity to public transportation, schools, and nearby shopping centers to draw attention. Pictures of the interior and exterior of the home as well as of the neighborhood round out your written description. Consider staging the home with furniture and decorations to make it look more appealing to potential applicants.

Lastly, post the ad on multiple platforms, such as social media and online listings like Hotpads or Zillow. Another important step is to ensure that the home is priced correctly. Doing research into the current rental market and local rental rates can help determine the best rent for the property.

And remember, keep track of the expenses you incur when you advertise a home for rent with your landlord accounting software, like RentalIncomeExpense.com. That way, when tax time arrives, it will be easy to prepare your returns.