{"id":369262,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/ten-landlord-legal-mistakes-to-avoid.html"},"modified":"2023-08-10T10:03:46","modified_gmt":"2023-08-10T15:03:46","slug":"ten-landlord-legal-mistakes-to-avoid","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/ten-landlord-legal-mistakes-to-avoid.html","title":{"rendered":"Ten Landlord Legal Mistakes to Avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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10 Legal Mistakes Landlords Should Avoid<\/h1>\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Most property owners are in the rental business to make money. They buy investment properties with the specific intent to create profit, yet many landlords make common mistakes that affect their bottom line. Being a successful landlord involves more than collecting rent payments.<\/p>\r\n

State landlord-tenant laws govern many aspects of the landlord-tenant relationship. Failure to follow these laws can lead to severe repercussions. For these reasons, landlords should avoid common mistakes.<\/p>\r\n

This article explores 10 common mistakes landlords make, along with tips on how to avoid these pitfalls.<\/p>\r\n

Failing to Screen New Tenants Adequately<\/h2>\r\n

Thoroughly screening new tenants can help landlords avoid significant issues throughout the term of the lease, such as nonpayment of rent or damage to property. Currently, landlords have many tools at their disposal with which to screen potential tenants. For example, they can order a credit report to determine if the prospective tenant has a history of paying their debts on time.<\/p>\r\n

Many landlords and property managers also rely on references to gauge how the prospective tenant will behave in a new rental. They can contact former landlords to learn if the prospective tenant paid their rent in a timely manner and took care of the rental property.<\/p>\r\n

Asking Discriminatory Questions<\/h2>\r\n

Under the federal Fair Housing Act<\/a>, a landlord or property manager cannot refuse to rent a property for discriminatory reasons such as:<\/p>\r\n