This series gives you the real scoop on 10 things you’re likely to encounter while managing your own residential rental property.
#4 Knowing state landlord/tenant law is tricky
Tenants have legal rights. Sometime that’s hard to for owners to hear, but it’s true. Each state, county and city has its own landlord/tenant laws and it’s your duty as a landlord to know and follow them all or risk costly legal action from a tenant.
Your tenant didn’t pay rent this month. Are you still obligated to fix the heat if it stops functioning? You want to enter your property to ensure tenants are taking care of it. Can you do it? The answers to these questions, if you live in Georgia, may surprise you.
These are only a few examples of items covered by landlord/ tenant law. Georgia has a 89-page landlord/tenant handbook you can download for free. Here’s the link: http://www.dca.ga.gov/housing/HousingDevelopment/programs/downloads/Georgia_Landlord_Tenant_Handbook.pdf
Don’t want to carry this burden? Many owners choose a property management company because property managers live and breathe this document so owners they don’t have to. Property managers help minimize legal risks and potentially save owners thousands of dollars in legal fees and fines by ensuring your tenants are handled in compliance with state law.