Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Ethical Landlord

By Robert L. Cain, Copyright 2024, Cain Publications, Inc. Years ago as I rode the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic I wore a t-shirt I’d had made with “The Northwest Landlord: The newsletter for landlords” printed front and back. A … Continue reading

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Rent Surveys Are Good Business

By Robert L. Cain, Copyright 2024, Cain Publications, Inc. Rental owners and managers, the top ones, know their properties and the areas those properties sit in. They are in the best position to know what their units should rent for. … Continue reading

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How Application Fraud Has Affected Rental Property Screening

By Robert L. Cain, Copyright 2024, Cain Publications, Inc. Billy Bad Tenant wanted to move so he wouldn’t have to sleep on his friend’s couch anymore. Besides, his friend had gotten tired enough of Billy that he kept suggesting that … Continue reading

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Rent Control Rearing Its Ugly Head Once Again

By Robert L. Cain, Copyright 2024, Cain Publications, Inc. A July 16, 2024, a White House “Fact Sheet” reported that the president “is taking action to make renting more affordable for millions of Americans.” Biden wants to require rental owners … Continue reading

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Renters Are Staying Longer. Why?

By Robert L. Cain, Copyright 2024, Cain Publications, Inc. Mike Charton has lived in his apartment for many years. When I asked my fellow author what kept him there, he listed five things. Those five things reflect reasons renters stay … Continue reading

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HUD’s New Guidance Adjusts Screening Policy

By Robert L. Cain, Copyright 2024, Cain Publications, Inc. One bad tenant can destroy a rental business. That’s why we screen applicants carefully by examining credit reports, rental histories, employment information, and verifying that the information is accurate and belongs … Continue reading

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How to Lose an Eviction

By Robert L. Cain, Copyright 2024, Cain Publication, Inc. Losing an eviction starts when you send a notice to your tenant demanding that he or she pay the past?due rent or move, but you make a mistake and lose the … Continue reading

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Setting Occupancy Standards Can Lead to Legal Problems

By Robert L. Cain, Copyright 2024, Cain Publications, Inc. How can you conform to a law that has no specific, measurable requirements? Impossible? Perilous? Case in point are the occupancy standards for rental properties that HUD expects rental owners to … Continue reading

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Who Will Pay the Rent Next Month?

By Robert L. Cain, Copyright 2024, Cain Publications, Inc. Who won’t be paying the rent next month? Half of US tenants can’t afford to pay their rent, CNN reported on January 24. Not surprising since the median rents have increased … Continue reading

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Two Easy Application Verification Tricks

by Robert L. Cain, Copyright 2024, Cain Publications, Inc. They seem like nice people, and they may be. Appropriately well-dressed with children who are both respectful and behaved, they might just be great tenants. But we can’t take appearances and … Continue reading

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