# DoorKeeping

> AI first property management for landlords with 1 unit or more, from DoorRaise, Inc. Owners run their properties by asking Claude or ChatGPT; anything involving money or a legal step waits for the owner's one-tap approval. $2 per unit per month, every feature included, no setup cost and no minimum.

Rent and payments stay in the owner's own bank accounts: DoorKeeping never holds the owner's money and sends a payment only when the owner approves it. Each property's LLC keeps its own books, and an owner sees every property together.

## Pages

- [Home](https://doorkeeping.com/): what DoorKeeping does
- [Pricing](https://doorkeeping.com/pricing): $2 per unit per month, every feature included, no setup cost, no minimum; tenants never pay a fee to DoorKeeping
- [Features](https://doorkeeping.com/features): rent, leases, maintenance, accounting and the AI assistant
- [How it works](https://doorkeeping.com/how-it-works): from sign-up to running your properties by asking Claude or ChatGPT
- [Questions](https://doorkeeping.com/faq): short answers about pricing, security, switching and tenants
- [Connect your AI app](https://doorkeeping.com/connect-ai): use DoorKeeping from Claude or ChatGPT
- [Security](https://doorkeeping.com/security) and [About](https://doorkeeping.com/about)
- [Demo](https://doorkeeping.com/demo): a made-up portfolio, no sign-up
- [Ask DoorKeeping anything](https://doorkeeping.com/ask): ask our AI about pricing, features, switching and comparisons
- [Homes for rent](https://doorkeeping.com/l/llms.txt): every live rental listing on DoorKeeping, with rent, move-in cost, availability and how to apply (also https://doorkeeping.com/l/feed.json and https://doorkeeping.com/l/sitemap.xml)

## Comparisons

- [Compare DoorKeeping](https://doorkeeping.com/compare): DoorKeeping next to AppFolio, Buildium, Rent Manager, Yardi Breeze, DoorLoop and others: prices, minimums and features from each company's own pages.
- [DoorKeeping vs Avail: price, tenant fees and what each does](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/doorkeeping-vs-avail): Avail is free for unlimited units but tenants pay $2.50 per bank payment and 3.5% by card. DoorKeeping is $2 per unit and tenants pay no fees. Compared.
- [DoorKeeping vs Hemlane for owners with a few to a few dozen units](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/doorkeeping-vs-hemlane): Hemlane charges a $28 monthly platform fee plus $2 per unit on Basic, with optional managed services. DoorKeeping is $2 per unit, nothing else. Compared.
- [DoorKeeping vs Rentec Direct: every published fee side by side](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/doorkeeping-vs-rentec-direct): Rentec Direct publishes every fee: $2 or $2.50 per unit, a $50 minimum, and charges for ACH, cards and screening. DoorKeeping is $2 with none of those.
- [DoorKeeping vs Landlord Studio for owners with a handful of units](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/doorkeeping-vs-landlord-studio): Landlord Studio is free for 3 units, then $144 a year on Pro plus $1 per extra unit, with $2.50 bank and 3.49% card fees. DoorKeeping is $2 per unit.
- [DoorKeeping vs Zillow Rental Manager: finding a tenant or running the building](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/doorkeeping-vs-zillow-rental-manager): Zillow Rental Manager makes application and screening reports free for landlords, with renters paying a $40 fee. DoorKeeping is $2 per unit and runs the books.
- [RentRedi alternatives for landlords with 5 to 50 units](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/rentredi-alternatives): Seven RentRedi alternatives compared on published price and tenant fees: Landlord Studio, TurboTenant, Innago, Avail, Hemlane, TenantCloud, DoorKeeping.
- [Property management software for 1 to 10 units: a buyer's guide](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/property-management-software-for-1-to-10-units): A buyer's guide to property management software for 1 to 10 units: what to compare, published prices and tenant fees for ten products, and who each suits.
- [DoorKeeping vs AppFolio: what each costs and what each does today](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/doorkeeping-vs-appfolio): AppFolio and DoorKeeping side by side: published prices for 24 and 120 units, the 50-unit minimum, which features each has today, and who fits each.
- [DoorKeeping vs Buildium: plans, per-use fees and features](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/doorkeeping-vs-buildium): Buildium's three plans and per-use fees next to DoorKeeping's flat $2 per unit: bank account fees for LLC owners, payment fees, features and switching.
- [DoorKeeping vs Rent Manager: a deep toolkit next to a light one](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/doorkeeping-vs-rent-manager): Rent Manager quotes its price; DoorKeeping publishes $2 per unit. Compare the bundles, reports, payment options, AI and MCP connector, and what to ask.
- [DoorKeeping vs Yardi Breeze: $1 with a minimum, or $2 without](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/doorkeeping-vs-yardi-breeze): Yardi Breeze charges $1 per unit with a $100 monthly minimum on an annual agreement. See when that beats DoorKeeping's $2, and what each includes today.
- [DoorKeeping vs DoorLoop: two takes on AI property management](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/doorkeeping-vs-doorloop): DoorLoop One, Connect and Multiply next to DoorKeeping: monthly minimums, yearly versus monthly billing, rent payment fees, AI agents and approvals.
- [AppFolio alternatives for owners with fewer than 50 units](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/appfolio-alternatives-small-apartment-owners): AppFolio Core has a 50-unit minimum. Here are the alternatives for owners with fewer units, what each publishes about price, and how to choose.
- [DoorKeeping vs TurboTenant for apartment owners](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/doorkeeping-vs-turbotenant): TurboTenant is built around finding tenants and collecting rent; DoorKeeping around running an apartment business by asking your AI. Prices, fees and gaps.
- [DoorKeeping vs Baselane: bank first or books first](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/doorkeeping-vs-baselane): Baselane is a landlord bank account with bookkeeping attached. DoorKeeping keeps books per LLC and works with the bank you already have. A fair comparison.
- [DoorKeeping vs RentRedi for owners with 5 or more units](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/doorkeeping-vs-rentredi): RentRedi charges one flat price for unlimited units and focuses on rent and leasing. DoorKeeping charges per unit and runs the books through your AI app.
- [DoorKeeping vs Stessa: rental bookkeeping and beyond](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/doorkeeping-vs-stessa): Stessa tracks rental income and expenses with bank feeds and a free plan. DoorKeeping keeps books per LLC and runs operations through your AI app.
- [DoorKeeping vs TenantCloud: tiers or one price](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/doorkeeping-vs-tenantcloud): TenantCloud plans cap leases, bank accounts and entities by tier. DoorKeeping charges $2 per unit with every feature. Prices for 12 and 60 units.
- [DoorKeeping vs Innago: free for landlords, or free for tenants](https://doorkeeping.com/compare/doorkeeping-vs-innago): Innago is free for landlords because tenants pay per payment and screening. DoorKeeping charges the owner $2 per unit and tenants nothing. The full math.

## Blog

- [DoorKeeping blog](https://doorkeeping.com/blog): Plain guides for landlords: rent collection, property accounting, leasing, maintenance and the software that runs it all. Feed: https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rss.xml
- [How much can you raise rent in California or Washington? The cap, worked out](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/max-rent-increase-california-washington-calculation): How to work out the largest rent increase allowed under the California and Washington statewide caps, with the 2026 and 2027 percentages and examples.
- [Who owes the security deposits after an apartment building is sold?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/security-deposits-when-apartment-building-sold): What happens to tenant security deposits when an apartment building is sold, with the California, New York and Florida rules and a closing checklist.
- [Can a landlord shut off utilities if a tenant does not pay rent?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/landlord-shut-off-utilities-unpaid-rent): Turning off water, power or heat to push a tenant to pay is illegal in California, Florida, New York and Washington. The penalties, and the lawful path.
- [RUBS utility billing: how do you split one water bill among apartments?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rubs-utility-billing-split-water-bill): How ratio utility billing (RUBS) splits a building water bill among apartments, with a worked split and the Oregon rules on what you may charge and how.
- [How do you stop scammers from redirecting your tenants' rent payments?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-payment-redirection-scam-tenants): How the fake "new bank details" rent scam works, a notice to send tenants before it happens, and the steps to take the same day if a tenant pays a scammer.
- [Do California landlords have to offer tenants rent reporting to credit bureaus?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/california-landlords-offer-rent-reporting): Which California landlords must offer positive rent reporting to a credit bureau, when to offer it, the $10 fee cap, and what if a tenant stops paying.
- [Can a California landlord require tenants to pay rent online?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/california-landlord-require-online-rent-payment): California landlords must offer one way to pay rent that is neither cash nor electronic, cannot charge for checks, and can demand cash only after a bounce.
- [Florida security deposit notice: what landlords must send within 30 days](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/florida-security-deposit-30-day-notice): The written notice Florida landlords must give within 30 days of taking a deposit: the three ways to hold it, what the notice says, and the interest math.
- [What can a landlord do when a military tenant does not pay rent?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/military-tenant-unpaid-rent-scra): What the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act means when a military tenant falls behind on rent: the 2026 rent ceiling, court orders, stays and affidavits.
- [Can you write off the old roof when you replace it on a rental building?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/partial-disposition-election-roof-replacement): The partial disposition election lets a landlord deduct what is left of a replaced roof's cost. When it pays, how to value it, and the deadline.
- [I forgot to depreciate my rental property for several years. How do I catch up?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/forgot-to-depreciate-rental-property-form-3115): Missed depreciation still lowers your basis. Catch up with an amended return after one year, or Form 3115 and a 481(a) adjustment after two.
- [What are the 1031 exchange deadlines when you sell an apartment building?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/1031-exchange-deadlines-45-180-days): A 1031 exchange timeline for apartment owners: the 45 day rule, the 180 day limit, the tax return due date catch, and the 3 property rule.
- [Does the 3.8% net investment income tax apply to rental income?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/net-investment-income-tax-rental-income): How the 3.8% net investment income tax applies to rental profit, the fixed thresholds, a worked example, and the real estate professional exception.
- [Can you take a Section 179 deduction on apartment appliances and improvements?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/section-179-apartment-appliances-rental): Three hurdles decide if a landlord can use Section 179: the type of property, the business income limit, and the rule for property leased to others.
- [Are repairs you make before a rental building is ready to rent deductible?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/repairs-before-rental-placed-in-service): Work done before a newly bought building is ready to rent is usually added to its cost. When a rental is placed in service, and what is deductible after.
- [How do you handle a casualty loss on a rental building after a fire or storm?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/casualty-loss-rental-property-insurance): How a casualty loss on a rental building is figured, why insurance can create a taxable gain, how to postpone it, and how to record the claim.
- [Does a rental property LLC with two or more members have to file Form 1065?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/form-1065-multi-member-rental-llc): A rental LLC with two or more members usually files Form 1065 by March 15, with Form 8825 per building. The late penalty, and the spouse question.
- [How much does each rental property LLC cost per year in state fees?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/annual-state-fees-rental-llc-by-state): What one LLC per property costs each year in state fees in California, Delaware, Florida, Tennessee and Texas, with a worked total for four LLCs.
- [Do landlords pay sales tax or gross receipts tax on apartment rent?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/sales-tax-on-apartment-rent-by-state): Most states do not tax long-term apartment rent, but some do: Hawaii GET, Arizona's 2025 repeal, Florida's 6 month rule and Philadelphia BIRT.
- [What are the tax rules for renting an apartment in your building to a family member?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/renting-apartment-to-family-member-taxes): Renting a unit to a relative below market rent can make it personal use for tax purposes. Who counts as family and the fair rental price test.
- [Do landlords have to make quarterly estimated tax payments on rental income?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/estimated-tax-payments-rental-income): When rental profit means quarterly estimated tax: the $1,000 test, the 90%, 100% and 110% safe harbors, 2026 due dates and a worked example.
- [Can a landlord end a tenancy without a reason in Washington, Oregon or New York?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/just-cause-eviction-washington-oregon-new-york): Can you end a lease without a reason in Washington, Oregon or New York? The just cause and good cause rules, who is exempt, and the notice each needs.
- [How long does an eviction take in Florida, and what happens at each step?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/florida-eviction-process-timeline): How a Florida eviction for unpaid rent runs after the 3-day notice: the complaint, 5 days to answer, rent into the court registry, and the 24-hour writ.
- [Can a tenant break a lease because of domestic violence, and what must the landlord do?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/domestic-violence-lease-termination-landlord): What a landlord must do when a tenant ends a lease because of domestic violence in Washington, Oregon and New York, plus the VAWA rules for voucher units.
- [How should a landlord respond to a reasonable accommodation request?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/reasonable-accommodation-request-landlord-response): A step-by-step way to answer a tenant's disability accommodation request: what you can ask, when you can say no, fees, timing, and what to put in writing.
- [What does the Section 8 tenancy addendum change in your lease?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/section-8-tenancy-addendum-lease-terms): A walk through Part C of the HUD-52641 HAP contract: lease terms it overrides, rent and fee limits, grounds to end a tenancy, and eviction notices.
- [What can a landlord do with belongings a tenant leaves behind?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-left-belongings-after-move-out): What a landlord must do with belongings a tenant leaves after moving out in Florida, Oregon and Washington: notice, waiting days and dollar limits.
- [How do you legally serve a notice to a tenant, and does email count?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-serve-notice-to-tenant-email): How landlords must deliver notices to tenants in Florida, Oregon, Washington and New York, when email counts, and what proof of delivery to keep.
- [What counts as landlord retaliation after a tenant complains?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/landlord-retaliation-rules-tenant-complaint): What counts as landlord retaliation after a tenant complains, the 90-day and one-year presumptions in Washington and New York, and how to act safely.
- [Can you turn an apartment building into 55-and-older housing?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/55-and-older-apartment-building-rules): The federal rules for running an apartment building as 55-and-older housing: the 80 percent test, written policies and age checks every two years.
- [How much can a landlord charge for a pet deposit and pet rent?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/pet-deposit-pet-rent-limits-by-state): How much landlords can charge for pets: Colorado's $300 deposit and pet rent cap, New York's one-month deposit cap and Washington's nonrefundable fees.
- [What happens to the lease and belongings when a tenant dies?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/what-happens-when-tenant-dies-landlord): What happens to the lease, rent, deposit and belongings when a tenant who lived alone dies, under Washington, Oregon and Florida law, with a timeline.
- [Do landlords need EPA lead-safe certification to do their own repairs?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/epa-lead-safe-certification-landlords-own-repairs): When a landlord or in-house maintenance worker must be EPA lead-safe certified to repair or paint a pre-1978 apartment, and what it costs to comply.
- [Do landlords have to provide air conditioning?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/do-landlords-have-to-provide-air-conditioning): When a landlord must provide or repair air conditioning, with the actual rules in Arizona, Phoenix, Maryland and Oregon and the temperatures they set.
- [How do Section 8 unit inspections work under NSPIRE, and what must owners fix?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/section-8-inspection-nspire-owner-guide): What changes for owners when housing authorities switch voucher inspections to NSPIRE by February 1, 2027, and the repair deadlines that apply now.
- [Can a subcontractor put a lien on your rental after you paid the contractor? The Florida rules](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/subcontractor-lien-after-paying-contractor-florida): How a Florida subcontractor or supplier can lien your rental even after you paid the contractor, and the four forms that stop you paying twice.
- [How long does an insurer have to handle an apartment building claim in Texas and Florida?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/apartment-insurance-claim-deadlines-texas-florida): How fast insurers must answer a property claim in Texas and Florida, your own deadline to report a loss, and a day-by-day plan after a pipe burst or fire.
- [Can you still repair R-22 and R-410A air conditioners in your rentals, or should you replace them?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/r22-r410a-air-conditioner-repair-or-replace-rentals): What the refrigerant rules mean for R-22 and R-410A air conditioners in apartment buildings, and a worked repair or replace decision for a failed unit.
- [Does an apartment building need annual backflow testing?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/backflow-preventer-testing-apartment-building): Why your water utility asks for a yearly backflow test, who may do it, what the Texas rules require, and how to run testing across an apartment property.
- [What does the Virginia Graeme Baker Act require for an apartment complex pool?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/apartment-pool-drain-cover-requirements-vgb-act): Why an apartment pool counts as a public pool under the Virginia Graeme Baker Act, what drains and covers it needs, and a checklist before opening day.
- [What must New York City landlords do for the annual window guard and lead paint notice?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/nyc-annual-notice-window-guards-lead-paint): The NYC annual notice calendar for building owners: what to send by January 15, what to do after February 15, and the window guard rules from 2026.
- [What does NYC Local Law 152 require for gas piping inspections, and when is yours due?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/nyc-local-law-152-gas-piping-inspection): Who must do a Local Law 152 gas piping inspection in NYC, the four-year cycle by community district, and the 30, 60, 120 and 180 day filing deadlines.
- [What does the Massachusetts lead law require of landlords when a child under six moves in?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/massachusetts-lead-law-landlords-deleading): What the Massachusetts lead law requires when a child under six lives in a pre-1978 rental: deleading, interim control, liability and the tax credit.
- [Will moving my apartment building into an LLC trigger the loan's due-on-sale clause?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/transfer-rental-property-to-llc-due-on-sale): Deeding an apartment building into an LLC can let the lender call the loan. Why the federal exceptions stop at four units, and how to ask for consent.
- [How much NFIP flood insurance can an apartment building get?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/nfip-flood-insurance-limits-apartment-building): NFIP covers at most $500,000 per apartment building and $100,000 of contents. What lenders require, the 30-day wait, and how to size the gap.
- [Can you pay an on-site apartment manager with a free unit instead of wages?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/on-site-apartment-manager-free-unit-as-pay): When an apartment counts toward an on-site manager's wages, how much it can count in California in 2026, and when a resident manager is required.
- [Do I need a rental license for my apartment building, and will the city inspect it?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-license-city-inspection-programs): How city rental licenses and inspection programs work, with fees and inspection cycles from Philadelphia, Seattle and Minneapolis for a 20 unit building.
- [How do you appeal the property tax assessment on an apartment building?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/appeal-property-tax-assessment-apartment-building): Protest an apartment building's assessed value with your own income and expense numbers: deadlines in Texas and Cook County, and a worked income example.
- [What does a landlord have to do after a data breach exposes tenant information?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-data-breach-landlord-notification): A stolen laptop or hacked inbox with tenant applications can trigger breach notice laws. First steps, and deadlines in Washington, Florida and New York.
- [How do landlords stop fake bank-change emails from vendors and scammers?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/fake-bank-change-email-landlord-fraud): Scammers email landlords and tenants new bank details to steal rent and vendor payments. How to verify changes, warn tenants, and act fast if money moved.
- [How much can you raise rent under New York's Good Cause Eviction Law?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ny-good-cause-eviction-rent-increase-limit): How much New York's Good Cause Eviction Law lets you raise rent in 2026, who is exempt, the 8.38% and 8.15% standards, and the notice to attach.
- [What is Oregon's maximum rent increase for 2027, and when can you use it?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/oregon-rent-increase-cap-2027): Oregon's maximum rent increase is 10% for 2027 and was 9.5% for 2026. A dated timeline for one increase, the 15-year exemption and the penalty.
- [Can a Washington tenant pay the security deposit in installments?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/washington-security-deposit-installments): When a Washington tenant can pay the deposit, fees and last month's rent in installments, how to write the schedule, and the one-month penalty.
- [Can a landlord charge a nonrefundable move-in, admin or cleaning fee?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/nonrefundable-move-in-fee-cleaning-fee-by-state): Move-in, admin and cleaning fees in California, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon and Washington: which states ban them and what you may collect.
- [Is last month's rent the same as a security deposit, and who pays if rent goes up?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/last-months-rent-vs-security-deposit): Whether prepaid last month's rent counts as a deposit, who pays when rent goes up before the last month, and the rules in six states.
- [How do you raise the rent on a Section 8 voucher tenant?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/raise-rent-section-8-voucher-tenant): The steps to raise rent on a Housing Choice Voucher tenant: timing, the 60-day notice to the housing authority, rent reasonableness, and who pays it.
- [What does Maryland require of landlords who take a security deposit?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/maryland-security-deposit-receipt-rules): Maryland's one-month deposit cap, the seven notices the deposit receipt must hold, where to bank it, the 45-day return, and surety bond rules.
- [Can you still claim the 179D deduction for an energy upgrade to an apartment building?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/section-179d-deduction-apartment-building-retrofit): The 179D deduction for apartment energy upgrades after the June 30, 2026 cutoff: which buildings qualify, the 2026 rates and a worked example.
- [Can an apartment owner claim the 45L credit for units they build or rebuild and rent out?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/section-45l-credit-new-apartment-units): How the 45L credit works for apartment units you build or gut and rent out: $500 to $5,000 per unit, why a lease counts, and the June 30, 2026 end date.
- [Which closing costs on an apartment building purchase are deductible, and which add to basis?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-property-closing-costs-deductible-or-basis): Which closing costs on an apartment building purchase you deduct, add to basis or spread over the loan, line by line, with a worked settlement statement.
- [Does the SALT cap apply to property taxes on rental property?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/salt-cap-property-taxes-rental-property): Why property tax on a rental is outside the SALT cap, why state income tax on rental profit is not, and how to split taxes if you live in the building.
- [Do Florida apartment owners have to file a tangible personal property tax return?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/florida-tangible-personal-property-return-apartments): Florida apartment owners and Form DR-405: why unit appliances are taxable, the April 1 deadline, the $25,000 exemption, the waiver and the penalties.
- [Does selling or giving away part of your LLC trigger a California property tax reassessment?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/california-llc-interest-transfer-property-reassessment): When selling or gifting LLC interests reassesses a California apartment building, how the 50% tests work, and the 90 day BOE-100-B filing.
- [What happens when the IRS audits your rental property?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/irs-audit-rental-property-what-to-expect): How an IRS audit of rental income starts, the timeline and deadlines, the records an examiner asks for line by line, and how a repair gets reclassified.
- [What payroll taxes and forms do you owe when you hire a maintenance employee for your apartments?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/payroll-taxes-hire-apartment-maintenance-employee): The payroll forms, deposits and deadlines when you hire a maintenance employee for your apartments, with a first-year calendar and a worked cost.
- [Is a landlord liable when one tenant harasses another tenant?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/landlord-liable-tenant-harassing-another-tenant): When one tenant harasses another over race, religion, disability or children, HUD rules can make the owner liable. What to do, step by step.
- [Does my apartment building have to meet Fair Housing Act accessibility rules?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/fair-housing-accessibility-apartment-built-after-1991): Does your building have to meet Fair Housing Act accessibility rules? Which buildings and units are covered, the seven features, and checks for buyers.
- [A tenant wants to install grab bars or a ramp: what can the landlord require?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-reasonable-modification-grab-bars-ramp): A tenant with a disability asks to add grab bars, a ramp or wider doors. Who pays, what you can require, what must be undone at move-out, and escrow math.
- [Can a California landlord ask a tenant about immigration status?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/california-landlord-immigration-status-questions): Can a California landlord ask about immigration status or require a Social Security number? What Civil Code 1940.3 bans, what it allows, and penalties.
- [What disclosures does a California apartment lease need?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/california-lease-required-disclosures-checklist): Every disclosure a California apartment lease may need, from the bed bug and flood notices to Megan's Law and the rent cap notice, with each code section.
- [What must a Maryland apartment lease include?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/maryland-apartment-lease-requirements): What a Maryland apartment lease must include, the clauses it may not contain, the Tenants' Bill of Rights, the deposit receipt and the move-in cash cap.
- [Which notice does an Arizona landlord use for a lease violation that is not about rent?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/arizona-lease-violation-notice-5-day-10-day): Which Arizona notice fits a lease violation: 5 days for health and safety, 10 days for other breaches, immediate for serious acts. Dates and delivery.
- [Can a Florida lease require tenants to give 60 days' notice before moving out?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/florida-lease-end-notice-83-575): Can a Florida lease require 60 days notice before move-out? How 83.575 works, the landlord's 15-day reminder, the dates worked out, and liquidated damages.
- [Can an apartment building have pool or playground rules just for children?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/apartment-rules-for-children-pool-fair-housing): Can apartment rules limit children at the pool, playground or in the halls? How fair housing rules treat house rules, with rewrites that focus on conduct.
- [Does my California apartment building need an SB 721 balcony inspection, and what if I missed the deadline?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/california-balcony-inspection-sb-721-deadline): Which California apartment balconies, decks and stairs need an inspection, who may do it, the repair clock, and what to do if you missed the 2026 deadline.
- [Can a California landlord hire an unlicensed handyman for rental repairs?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/california-hire-unlicensed-handyman-rental-repairs): When a California landlord can use an unlicensed handyman, how the $1,000 limit is counted, and the license, lawsuit and workers' comp risks above it.
- [What does Maryland's lead law require of apartment owners at registration and every turnover?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/maryland-lead-rental-registration-turnover-inspection): Maryland's lead law for pre-1978 rentals: MDE registration, yearly renewal, the inspection at every turnover, tenant notices and the 30-day repair rule.
- [How often does an apartment building elevator need to be inspected?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/apartment-elevator-inspection-frequency-by-state): How often an apartment elevator must be inspected in New York City, Florida, California and Washington, with the filing and repair deadlines owners miss.
- [What must California landlords tell tenants about bed bugs?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/california-bed-bug-notice-landlords-civil-code-1954-603): California's bed bug rules for landlords: the written notice each new tenant gets, entry for inspections and the two business day findings notice.
- [What fire safety, mold and flood notices must Washington landlords give new tenants?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/washington-landlord-move-in-disclosures-fire-mold-flood): The fire safety checklist, smoke and CO alarm duties, mold information and new 2027 flood notice Washington landlords give tenants, with a sample outline.
- [Does Florida's milestone inspection law apply to apartment buildings?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/florida-milestone-inspection-apartment-buildings): Whether Florida's milestone inspection law covers rental apartment buildings, when a county recertification applies instead, and how to plan for the cost.
- [What are California's smoke alarm and carbon monoxide rules for apartment owners?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/california-smoke-alarm-carbon-monoxide-rules-apartments): California smoke and carbon monoxide alarm rules for apartment owners: who tests, 10-year batteries, entry notice, the $200 fine and a turnover check.
- [Does my apartment building have to report its energy use to the city?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/apartment-building-energy-benchmarking-city-rules): Which apartment buildings must report energy and water use in New York City, DC, Seattle and Boston, the size cutoffs, deadlines and fines for missing it.
- [Does the ADA apply to an apartment building's common areas?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/does-ada-apply-to-apartment-common-areas): When the ADA covers an apartment rental office, pool or party room, what the Fair Housing Act asks of post-1991 buildings, and a tax credit.
- [Does a landlord need workers' comp for a maintenance worker or handyman?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/workers-comp-apartment-maintenance-worker-by-state): When an apartment owner must carry workers' comp for maintenance staff in CA, FL, OR, TX and WA, and the uninsured contractor trap.
- [How do landlords have to dispose of old tenant applications and screening reports?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/dispose-of-tenant-records-shredding-rules): How landlords must destroy old applications, screening reports and tenant files under the FTC Disposal Rule and CA, FL, MA and WA law.
- [Can a landlord put security cameras with audio in an apartment building's common areas?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/security-cameras-audio-apartment-common-areas): Where landlords can put security cameras in apartment buildings, why recording audio is the risky part, and consent rules in CA, FL and WA.
- [Do you need a Phase I environmental site assessment to buy a small apartment building?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/phase-i-environmental-site-assessment-small-apartment-building): Why buyers of small apartment buildings order a Phase I environmental site assessment, and the 180-day and one-year windows in 40 CFR 312.
- [How to prepare a T12 (trailing 12 month statement) for a rental property](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-prepare-t12-rental-property): A T12 is twelve months of income and expenses, month by month. Build one from your books in five steps, with a worked example and the mistakes lenders catch.
- [What an owner statement should include for your own LLCs or your co-owners](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/what-to-include-in-owner-statement-llc-co-owners): What goes on a monthly owner statement for a rental property, for your own LLCs or for co-owners and partners, with a layout and a worked example.
- [How much to set aside for replacement reserves on a rental or apartment building](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/replacement-reserves-apartment-building-how-much): How to size replacement reserves for a rental or apartment building from the age of each major system, with a worked example and how lenders set the number.
- [Bookkeeping for landlords: how to set it up from scratch](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/bookkeeping-for-landlords-set-up-from-scratch): Set up landlord bookkeeping from zero in ten steps: separate bank account, chart of accounts, monthly routine, and records to keep. Includes a worked example.
- [Spreadsheet vs accounting software for rental property: when a spreadsheet stops working](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/spreadsheet-vs-accounting-software-rental-property): When a spreadsheet is enough for rental property books, the six signs it has stopped working, and what to look for in software, with a worked time example.
- [Cost segregation study for a small rental or apartment building: what it is and when it pays](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/cost-segregation-study-small-rental-apartment-building): What a cost segregation study is, when it pays for a small rental or apartment building, and how it changes depreciation, with a worked example and IRS guide.
- [Bonus depreciation on rental property: the current rules](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/bonus-depreciation-rental-property-2026): Current bonus depreciation rules for rental property: 100% for qualified property acquired after January 19, 2025, what qualifies and how to opt out.
- [The $25,000 rental loss allowance: active participation and the income phase-out](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/25000-rental-loss-allowance-active-participation): How the $25,000 rental loss allowance works: the active participation test, the 10% ownership rule, the income phase-out math and Form 8582.
- [Real estate professional status: the 750-hour test and how to document your hours](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/real-estate-professional-status-750-hours): The two real estate professional tests (750 hours and more than half your time), how material participation works, and how to log hours.
- [Depreciation recapture when you sell a rental property: unrecaptured section 1250 gain](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/depreciation-recapture-sell-rental-property): What unrecaptured section 1250 gain is, why depreciation you took (or skipped) is taxed up to 25% on a sale, and how Form 4797 reports it.
- [Will a landlord get a 1099-K for rent paid by Zelle, Venmo or a payment app?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/form-1099-k-landlord-rent-zelle-venmo): Will a landlord get a 1099-K for rent paid through Zelle, Venmo or a payment app? The current $20,000 and 200 transaction rule, and what to do.
- [Cap rate vs cash-on-cash return vs NOI for a small apartment building](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/cap-rate-vs-cash-on-cash-return-apartment-building): Cap rate, cash-on-cash return and NOI explained with one small apartment building: what each measures, the formulas and when to use which.
- [Repair or improvement? The routine maintenance safe harbor and the betterment, restoration and adaptation test](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/routine-maintenance-safe-harbor-betterment-restoration-adaptation): How the IRS tangible property regulations separate a deductible repair from a capitalized improvement: routine maintenance safe harbor, BAR test.
- [Schedule E or Form 8825: which form reports your rental?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/schedule-e-vs-form-8825-rental-llc-s-corp): Which form reports your rental: Schedule E for a single-member LLC, Form 8825 with Form 1065 for a multi-member LLC or Form 1120-S for an S corp.
- [How to record rent payments and late fees in your rental property books](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/record-rent-payments-late-fees-journal-entries): Journal entries a landlord can copy to record rent charges, rent payments, partial payments and late fees, with a made-up month that adds up.
- [Prepaid rent and tenant credits: how to book a tenant who pays ahead or overpays](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/prepaid-rent-tenant-credit-overpayment-accounting): How to book a tenant who pays rent ahead or overpays: a tenant credit liability, the entry that applies it, refunds, and the tax timing to flag.
- [Form 1099-MISC for rent you pay vs 1099-NEC for contractors: who gets which](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/form-1099-misc-rent-paid-vs-1099-nec-who-gets-which): Which landlord payments go on Form 1099-MISC (rent you pay, box 1) and which on 1099-NEC (contractors), with the $2,000 threshold and the due dates.
- [Collecting W-9s from vendors and contractors: when, why, and backup withholding](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/collect-w-9-from-vendors-contractors-backup-withholding): When to ask a vendor or contractor for a Form W-9, what to check, and what backup withholding at 24% means if they will not give you a taxpayer ID.
- [Security deposit deductions at move-out: how each one is booked, and when it becomes income](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/security-deposit-deductions-move-out-landlord-books): When you keep part of a tenant deposit at move-out, how each deduction is booked, when it becomes income, and why the repair cost may land in a later year.
- [How to read a rental property P&L (profit and loss), line by line](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-read-rental-property-profit-and-loss-statement): A line-by-line walk through a rental property profit and loss statement, with a made-up 12 unit year, what each line tells you and what to check.
- [Rental property balance sheet: what goes on it for a one-property LLC](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-property-balance-sheet-one-property-llc): What goes on the balance sheet of an LLC that owns one rental property: assets, deposits, loan, equity, a made-up example and the checks that prove it.
- [Rental property tax deductions: a checklist from IRS Publication 527](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-property-tax-deductions-checklist): A complete checklist of rental property tax deductions, each tied to its Schedule E line and the IRS Publication 527 rule, plus what you cannot deduct.
- [How to depreciate a home you converted to a rental](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/depreciate-home-converted-to-rental): How to depreciate a home you turned into a rental: the basis is the lower of fair market value or adjusted basis on the day you convert it. Worked example.
- [Land vs building value: how to split a rental purchase price for depreciation](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/allocate-purchase-price-land-building-rental): How to allocate a rental property purchase price between land and building: the fair market value ratio, the assessor shortcut, and a worked example.
- [Section 121 and renting out your former home: the 2-of-5-year rule](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-out-former-home-section-121-exclusion): Can you still exclude gain after renting out your former home? The 2-of-5-year rule, nonqualified use, and depreciation, with a worked example.
- [Short-term rental vs long-term rental taxes: the 7-day rule and Schedule E vs C](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/short-term-rental-vs-long-term-rental-taxes): How taxes differ for short-term and long-term rentals: the 7-day average stay rule, passive loss treatment, and Schedule E versus Schedule C.
- [Mortgage interest on a rental vs a home: what is deductible, points, and refinancing](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-property-mortgage-interest-deduction): What mortgage interest you can deduct on a rental property, how it differs from a home loan, and how points and refinancing are treated, with an example.
- [Rental property insurance premiums: when they are deductible and how prepaid policies work](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-property-insurance-premiums-deductible): When rental property insurance premiums are deductible, how multi-year prepaid policies are spread over the years, and the 12-month rule, with examples.
- [What to send your CPA at tax time for a rental LLC](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/what-to-send-cpa-rental-llc-tax-time): The year-end package a CPA needs for a rental LLC: trial balance, ledger, Schedule E support, 1099 list, loan and deposit balances.
- [Owner draws vs distributions from a rental LLC: how to record them](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/owner-draws-vs-distributions-rental-llc): Owner draws and distributions from a rental LLC are equity, not expenses. How to record them and why you pay tax on profit, not on what you take.
- [How to record an owner contribution to a rental LLC](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/record-owner-contribution-rental-llc): How to record your own money going into a rental LLC: equity, not income. Cash, a bill you paid personally, or property, with worked entries.
- [Commingling funds in a rental LLC: why it matters and how to clean it up](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/commingling-funds-rental-llc-clean-up): What commingling means for a rental LLC, why it matters for your books and taxes, and a step-by-step clean-up with worked entries.
- [Section 8 HAP payments: how to record the housing authority's part and the tenant's part](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/record-section-8-hap-payment-in-books): How to record a Housing Choice Voucher lease in your books: full rent as income, a housing authority receivable, and the tenant portion.
- [Rent concessions and free month specials: how to record them in the books](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/record-rent-concession-free-month-books): How to record a free month or rent special in your books: charge full rent, post a concession, and see the effective rent. Worked entries.
- [How to account for a tenant's bounced (NSF) rent payment and the returned-payment fee](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/record-bounced-rent-payment-nsf-books): How to record a tenant's NSF payment: reverse the deposit, restore the balance, expense the bank's fee and book the returned-payment fee.
- [How does rental listing syndication work?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-listing-syndication-how-it-works): How one rental listing reaches Zillow, Zumper, HotPads and other sites through feeds, what you control, what to check, and a way to do it for one unit.
- [What photos does a rental listing need?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-listing-photos-what-to-shoot): A shot list for rental photos with a phone: which rooms, the order, light, what to move first, occupied units and what fair housing says about people in photos.
- [How do you set the asking rent for a rental listing?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-price-a-rental-listing): How to choose an asking rent from comparable listings, why HUD Fair Market Rent is not a market rent, and a price-drop schedule with worked numbers.
- [Do you need a website for a single rental property?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/website-for-one-rental-property): Do you need a website for a single rental? What one page should hold, how to write the title and photos so Google can read them, and what to leave off.
- [What do fair housing rules say about rental ads besides the words?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/fair-housing-rental-ads-photos-placement): Fair housing rules for rental ads beyond word choice: photos, signs, where you advertise, what you say aloud, and what changed with HUD guidance in 2025.
- [How do you reduce the number of days a rental sits vacant?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/reduce-days-vacant-rental-property): A timeline to shorten rental vacancy: list before move-out, turn fast, price right, answer inquiries quickly, and what each vacant day costs, with examples.
- [Why is my rental listing getting no inquiries?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-listing-troubleshooting-no-inquiries): A step-by-step way to find out why a rental listing gets no inquiries, showings or applications: read the funnel, change one thing at a time.
- [How self-guided tours work, and how to run them safely](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/self-guided-tours-rental-how-they-work): How self-guided rental tours work: lockboxes versus smart locks, ID checks, safety steps for your tenants and neighbors, and the fair housing rules.
- [How to schedule rental showings and cut no-shows](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/reduce-showing-no-shows-rental): Prospects who book a showing and never come cost you a trip. Here is how to schedule, confirm and remind so fewer miss it, and what the law allows.
- [Open house or private showings: which is better for a rental?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/open-house-vs-individual-showings-rental): Open house or one-by-one showings for a vacant rental? Compare time, safety, fair housing and tenant rules, and pick the right one for each unit.
- [How to answer rental inquiries quickly, with templates](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/respond-rental-inquiries-fast-templates): Copy-ready replies for rental inquiries, from "is it available?" to "can I bring my dog?", with the fair housing and texting limits to keep in mind.
- [The rental application process for landlords, in order](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-application-process-step-by-step): The rental application process for a landlord: from first inquiry to signed lease, in order, with written criteria, consent, timing and fair housing.
- [AI leasing assistants: what they can and cannot do for landlords](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ai-leasing-assistant-fair-housing-risks): What an AI leasing assistant can safely answer, where it can break fair housing rules, and a short list of controls an owner should set before using one.
- [What a landlord does between approving an applicant and handing over keys](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/approved-applicant-before-move-in-checklist): You approved an applicant. What now? A landlord checklist from acceptance to keys: lease, deposit, disclosures, insurance, utilities and unit prep.
- [Free month of rent or a lower rent: which concession is better?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-concession-free-month-vs-lower-rent): Compare a free month of rent with a lower monthly rent using effective rent, then see what each does to renewals, early move-outs and your taxes.
- [How to rent a vacant unit to a Housing Choice Voucher holder](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/list-rental-to-housing-choice-voucher-tenants): How a Housing Choice Voucher tenancy starts: the tenancy request, inspection, HAP contract and who screens the tenant, with the HUD rules cited.
- [Rental listing scams: how landlords protect a vacant unit's listing](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-listing-scams-landlords-protect-listing): Scammers copy real rental ads and take deposits from renters. How to spot a copied listing, what to do about it and where to report it.
- [What time of year should you list a rental, and when should you start?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/best-time-of-year-to-list-rental-property): How to pick the month to list a rental: work back from the move in date, notice rules and make ready time, and stagger lease end dates.
- [Should you allow pets to fill a vacancy faster? How to write the policy](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/pet-friendly-rental-policy-widen-applicant-pool): How a clear pet policy widens your applicant pool, what to charge, which animals are not pets under fair housing law, and what to put in the lease.
- [How a rental holding deposit works: when to take one and when to refund it](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-holding-deposit-how-it-works): A holding deposit takes a unit off the market before the lease is signed. How it works, when you keep it, how it is taxed and what Oregon requires.
- [Furnished vs unfurnished rentals: which should you offer?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/furnished-vs-unfurnished-rental-property): Compare furnished and unfurnished rentals: the cost, the rent you need to cover it, the lease terms to change and how furniture is depreciated.
- [How to film a rental walkthrough video with your phone](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-film-rental-walkthrough-video): Film a rental walkthrough video with your phone: what to prepare, the route to walk, how long it should run, and the privacy rules to check first.
- [Get a vacant unit rent-ready fast: the order of work](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-ready-vacant-unit-order-of-work): Cut the days a unit sits empty by doing make-ready work in the right order: inspect, order parts, do the dirty jobs first and clean last.
- [How to market a rental on social media and in local groups](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/market-rental-facebook-local-groups): How to advertise a vacant rental on social media and local groups: where to post, what to write, which fair housing rules apply, and how to stay safe.
- [Yard signs and other offline marketing that still work for rentals](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-yard-signs-offline-marketing): A For Rent sign still brings calls. Learn what to put on it, where to place it, local sign rules to check, and other offline ways to find a tenant.
- [Tenant referral bonuses: how they work and what to check](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-referral-bonus-landlord-rules): How a tenant referral bonus works, how much owners pay, how to set the terms in writing, and the fair housing and licensing questions to check first.
- [How to write a rental listing for a single-family home or condo](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/write-listing-single-family-home-condo-rent): What renters of single-family homes and condos look for, which details belong in the listing, and the association and lead paint rules to check first.
- [How to lease several vacant units at once in a small building](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/lease-up-several-vacancies-small-building): How to fill several vacant units in a small building at once: stagger availability, set a showing routine, keep one inquiry log and stay fair to all.
- [Kansas abandoned property law: a published notice, a 30 day hold and who gets the proceeds](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/kansas-abandoned-property-laws-for-landlords): Kansas lets a landlord store, then sell abandoned tenant property after 30 days and a published notice. K.S.A. 58-2565 steps, costs and proceeds.
- [Maine unclaimed tenant property law: store it, mail a list and wait 7 to 14 days](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/maine-abandoned-property-laws-for-landlords): Maine requires safe storage, a mailed notice with an itemized list and a 7 and 14 day claim window. 14 M.R.S. 6013, plus how sales are handled.
- [Alaska abandoned property law: a 15 day notice, safekeeping and a public sale](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/alaska-abandoned-property-laws-for-landlords): Alaska lets a landlord give a 15 day removal notice, store the property and hold a public sale. AS 34.03.260 on costs, liability and penalties.
- [Washington abandoned property law: the 45 day notice, the $250 shortcut and one year for surplus](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/washington-abandoned-property-laws-for-landlords): Washington lets a landlord store abandoned property, mail a notice and sell after 45 days, or 7 days under $250. RCW 59.18.310 explained.
- [Arizona abandoned property law: certified notice, an inventory and a 14 day hold](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/arizona-abandoned-property-laws-for-landlords): Arizona defines abandonment, requires a certified and posted notice, a 14 day hold and an inventory. A.R.S. 33-1370 explained step by step.
- [Virginia abandoned property law: a written warning, 24 hours and a deposit-style surplus](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/virginia-abandoned-property-laws-for-landlords): Virginia lets a landlord treat leftover items as abandoned after a written notice with a 24-hour disposal warning. Va. Code 55.1-1254 explained.
- [Minnesota abandoned property law: 28 days, a 14 day sale notice and punitive damages](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/minnesota-abandoned-property-laws-for-landlords): Minnesota gives landlords a 28 day wait and 14 days notice before selling tenant property, plus punitive damages. Minn. Stat. 504B.271 explained.
- [Vermont abandoned property law: three tests for abandonment and a 60 day claim window](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/vermont-abandoned-property-laws-for-landlords): Vermont defines abandonment by three tests and gives the tenant 60 days to claim stored property after a mailed notice. 9 V.S.A. 4462 explained.
- [Nevada abandoned property law: 30 days of storage, then a 14 day notice](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/nevada-abandoned-property-laws-for-landlords): Nevada requires 30 days of safe storage, then a written notice and 14 more days before disposal. NRS 118A.450 and 118A.460, with costs.
- [Delaware abandoned property law: the writ of possession and a 7 day storage period](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/delaware-abandoned-property-laws-for-landlords): Delaware lets a landlord store property left at a writ of possession for 7 days, then dispose of it. 25 Del. C. 5715, with the manufactured home rule.
- [How to record a refinance and cash-out on a rental property in your books](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/refinance-cash-out-journal-entries-rental-llc): How to record a rental refinance in the books: payoff of the old loan, the new loan, closing costs and the cash-out, with entries that balance.
- [How to track capital improvements by unit so depreciation and a sale are easy](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/capital-improvements-log-by-unit-rental): How to keep a capital improvements log for rental units: what to record, per unit and per building, so depreciation and a future sale are easy.
- [1031 exchange bookkeeping: the entries and the basis of the new property](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/1031-exchange-bookkeeping-entries-rental-basis): How to record a 1031 exchange of a rental in your books: funds held by the intermediary, the deferred gain and the basis of the new property.
- [How to record the sale of a rental property in your books](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/record-sale-of-rental-property-in-books): Journal entries for selling a rental: remove land, building and depreciation, book the loan payoff and selling costs, and find the gain.
- [A tenant does work instead of paying rent: how it is taxed and how to book it](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-does-repairs-instead-of-paying-rent-taxes): A tenant paints, fixes or builds in place of rent: how the IRS treats it, why the value is rental income, and how to record both sides.
- [You live in one unit and rent the other: how to split expenses and depreciation](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/live-in-one-unit-of-your-duplex-split-expenses): You live in one half of a duplex and rent the other: how to split mortgage interest, taxes, repairs and depreciation, with a worked example.
- [You move into your own rental property: what happens to depreciation, deductions and the books](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/move-into-your-rental-property-stop-renting-taxes): You stop renting out a house and move in: when depreciation and rental deductions stop, how to close the year, and what it means for a later sale.
- [How to do the bookkeeping for a mortgage escrow account on a rental property](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/mortgage-escrow-account-bookkeeping-rental-property): How to record a mortgage escrow account on a rental: the monthly split, tax and insurance paid by the lender, shortages and refunds, with entries.
- [Is rental income subject to self-employment tax for a landlord?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/self-employment-tax-rental-income-landlords): Rent on Schedule E is generally not subject to self-employment tax. When it can be: substantial services, real estate dealers and hotel-style rentals.
- [Inherited a rental property: how basis and depreciation work](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/inherited-rental-property-stepped-up-basis-depreciation): You inherited a rental. How the new basis is set (date-of-death value), what to book, how to split land and building, and when depreciation starts.
- [How to record property tax proration on the closing statement of a rental purchase](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/property-tax-proration-buying-rental-closing-books): How to record the property tax split on a rental purchase closing statement: the buyer's share, back taxes the buyer pays, and what goes to basis.
- [Is a lease break fee income to the landlord, and how do you record it?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/lease-break-fee-income-landlord-books): A tenant pays you to end a lease early. How to record it: rent income in the year received, plus kept deposits, tenant-paid bills and other tenant payments.
- [What can you deduct on a vacant rental property?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/vacant-rental-property-expenses-deductible): You can deduct upkeep and depreciation on a vacant rental you are holding for rent, but not lost rent. What counts, what does not, and how to book it.
- [Gifted a rental property: how carryover basis and depreciation work](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/gifted-rental-property-carryover-basis-depreciation): You were given a rental property. How carryover basis works, the lower-value rule, what to record, and how depreciation is figured. Per IRS Pub 551.
- [The landlord morning brief: what to check every day, in five minutes](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/morning-brief-for-landlords-what-to-include): What a daily morning brief for landlords should hold: late rent, new repairs, deposits to match and approvals waiting. A short routine, with or without AI.
- [Before you tap Accept: how to review what your AI assistant prepared](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/check-before-you-tap-accept-ai-approval-landlord): A short checklist for reviewing a request your AI assistant prepared, such as a payment, notice or fee: amount, recipient, reason and what happens next.
- [Prompt injection: how a message can try to steer your AI assistant, and what to do about it](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/prompt-injection-tenant-messages-ai-landlord): What prompt injection is, how text in a tenant message, vendor email or bill can steer an AI assistant, and the controls a landlord should require.
- [The audit log for AI actions: what a landlord should be able to see](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ai-action-audit-log-landlord-what-to-keep): If an AI assistant touches your rental records, keep a log of what was asked, what was done and who approved it. What to record and how long to keep it.
- [AI property management software: a checklist for landlords before you buy](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ai-property-management-software-what-to-look-for): A buyer checklist for AI property management software: what it reads, what it can change, what needs your approval, and how to test it before you commit.
- [Claude or ChatGPT for running your rentals: which should you connect?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/claude-or-chatgpt-for-landlords-which-to-connect): Both Claude and ChatGPT can connect to rental software through a custom connector. How setup differs, what to compare and why you can try both.
- [Tenant screening questions: how to use AI to draft them without creating fair housing risk](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ai-tenant-screening-questions-consistent-fair): How to use AI to write tenant screening questions you ask every applicant the same way, which to avoid under fair housing, and who makes the decision.
- [How to write a rental listing with ChatGPT or Claude, and check it for fair housing problems](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/chatgpt-rental-listing-prompt-fair-housing-check): A prompt for writing a rental listing with ChatGPT or Claude, plus the fair housing check to run on the result before you publish it.
- [Virtual tours of a rental unit, and what to disclose when AI edits the images](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ai-virtual-tour-rental-unit-what-to-disclose): Video walkthroughs, 3D tours and AI-edited photos can fill a vacancy. What to show, what to disclose when AI changes an image, and the fair housing limits.
- [Which landlord tasks to automate first, and which to keep for yourself](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/automate-landlord-tasks-with-ai-what-to-automate-first): Which landlord tasks are safe to automate with AI or rules, which should keep a human tap, and the order to switch them on so nothing surprises a tenant.
- [Automatic rent reminders: when to send them and what to say](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/automatic-rent-reminders-landlord-schedule): When to send rent reminders before and after the due date, what each message should say, and how to avoid texting someone who already paid.
- [A 30 minute weekly routine for self-managing landlords, with an AI assistant](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/weekly-landlord-routine-with-ai-assistant): A 30 minute weekly routine for landlords: rent, repairs, leases, bank lines and approvals, with the questions to ask an AI assistant and what to check yourself.
- [How to read a rent roll or T12 with Claude or ChatGPT](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/read-rent-roll-t12-with-ai): How to have Claude or ChatGPT read a rent roll or T12: what to ask, how to check its math against your books, and what to do about copied-in numbers.
- [How to draft a lease renewal offer with AI, and keep control of it](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ai-draft-lease-renewal-offer-landlord): How a landlord can use Claude or ChatGPT to draft a lease renewal offer: what to give it, what to check, and why you approve and send it, not the AI.
- [Can a landlord use ChatGPT or Claude to screen tenants?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/can-chatgpt-screen-tenants-fair-housing): Can a landlord use ChatGPT or Claude to screen rental applicants? What AI can safely organize, what it must not decide, and the fair housing rules that apply.
- [How to do the month-end close and bank matching with AI](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ai-month-end-close-bank-matching-landlord): How a landlord can use Claude or ChatGPT for month-end close: matching bank deposits to tenants, finding open items, and what must stay a human sign-off.
- [How to use AI to read rental bills and code them to Schedule E](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ai-code-rental-bills-schedule-e-categories): How a landlord can have AI read a bill and pick the right expense account and Schedule E line, with the repair versus improvement call kept for the owner.
- [How to ask AI for a profit and loss across several rental LLCs](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ai-profit-and-loss-multiple-llcs-landlord): How to get a profit and loss for each property and for all your rental LLCs together using Claude or ChatGPT, without double counting or mixing entities.
- [Can I paste a lease into ChatGPT? What to remove first](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/what-to-redact-before-pasting-lease-into-chatgpt): What a landlord should remove from a lease, ledger or tenant email before pasting it into ChatGPT or Claude, field by field, and what to use instead.
- [MCP connector vs custom GPT vs Claude project: which for a landlord?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/mcp-connector-vs-custom-gpt-claude-project-landlords): A landlord comparison of three ways to set up AI for rentals: an MCP connector, a custom GPT with actions and a Claude project with uploaded files.
- [How to connect Claude to your rental property records, step by step](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/connect-claude-to-rental-property-records): How to add a custom connector to Claude, what to check on the sign-in screen, how to turn tools off and how to remove it. Steps for a landlord.
- [How to connect ChatGPT to your rental property software](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/connect-chatgpt-to-rental-property-software): How a landlord adds a custom MCP server to ChatGPT: the steps, the risk warning, what to test first and how to disconnect. Plain steps.
- [AI prompts for chasing late rent, and the steps the AI should not take alone](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ai-prompts-for-late-rent-landlords): Prompts a landlord can give Claude or ChatGPT to find late rent, read a ledger and draft a notice, and the steps the AI should never take alone.
- [How to triage maintenance requests with AI, and where to keep a human](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ai-maintenance-request-triage-landlord-prompts): How a landlord can use Claude or ChatGPT to sort repair requests by urgency, log work orders and brief a vendor, with safety limits to keep.
- [What an AI assistant should never do without the owner's approval](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/what-can-ai-do-without-landlord-approval): Which landlord tasks an AI assistant can do alone, which need a draft first and which must wait for your tap. A safe-use rule for money and tenant data.
- [Can AI write a landlord notice to a tenant?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/can-ai-write-landlord-notice-to-tenant): Yes, ChatGPT or Claude can draft a tenant notice. What it gets wrong, how to check the form and the deadline, and a prompt you can copy.
- [How to write a rent increase letter with AI, and what to check first](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ai-rent-increase-letter-prompt-and-checks): Have ChatGPT or Claude draft a rent increase letter, then check the notice period, the timing and the cap. A copyable prompt and a short checklist.
- [Can AI draft a security deposit return letter with deductions?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ai-security-deposit-letter-what-to-check): Use ChatGPT or Claude to draft a deposit return letter with itemized deductions. A prompt to copy, deadlines to check and the mistakes AI makes.
- [Can you trust ChatGPT or Claude on landlord-tenant law?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/can-you-trust-chatgpt-on-landlord-tenant-law): ChatGPT and Claude can state a landlord law wrongly with full confidence. A short method to check any AI answer against the statute before you act.
- [ChatGPT or Claude for managing rentals: how a landlord should choose](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/chatgpt-vs-claude-for-landlords): Which assistant should a landlord use? What matters is how each connects to your property records, how it asks before acting and what you paste into it.
- [Custom instructions for your landlord AI: a template for your rules](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/custom-instructions-for-landlord-ai-assistant): Write standing instructions for Claude or ChatGPT so it follows your rules on tone, tenant data, state law and approvals. A template you can copy.
- [How to summarize a lease with AI and pull out the key dates](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/summarize-a-lease-with-ai-key-dates-and-terms): How to have Claude or ChatGPT pull the key dates, rent and rules from a lease, check every item against the page, and keep names out of the chat.
- [How to compare contractor bids with AI](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/compare-contractor-bids-with-ai-landlord): Use ChatGPT or Claude to line up repair bids by scope, price and exclusions, then check the contractor before you hire. A prompt you can copy.
- [Who is responsible when a landlord's AI assistant makes a mistake?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/who-is-responsible-when-landlord-ai-makes-a-mistake): If ChatGPT or Claude drafts a wrong notice, ad or message, the landlord still sent it. Where the risk sits, with the laws that apply and how to limit it.
- [How to use AI to write firm, polite emails to a difficult tenant](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ai-prompts-firm-and-polite-emails-to-tenants): Prompts for ChatGPT or Claude that turn an angry draft into a firm, polite and factual email to a tenant, plus the lines AI should never write.
- [Can ChatGPT write a residential lease? What it tends to miss](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/can-chatgpt-write-a-lease-what-it-misses): ChatGPT or Claude can draft lease text, but it misses disclosures your state or federal law requires. A checklist of what to add and verify.
- [AI rent reminders: when to send them and what to say](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ai-rent-reminders-schedule-and-wording): How to use ChatGPT or Claude for rent reminders: when to send, what to say, and why a friendly reminder is not a legal notice. Prompts you can copy.
- [How to see which leases are expiring soon by asking Claude or ChatGPT](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ask-claude-which-leases-expire-soon-landlord): How to see which leases end in the next 60 or 90 days by asking Claude or ChatGPT, what to ask next, and a simple order for renewals, notices and turns.
- [How to create a rental listing by asking Claude or ChatGPT](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/publish-rental-listing-by-asking-claude-landlord-approval): How to turn a vacant unit into a live rental listing by asking an AI assistant: what it fills in from your records, what you check, and why you approve it.
- [How to describe a neighborhood in a rental listing without steering](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/describe-neighborhood-in-rental-listing-without-steering): How to describe the area around a rental without steering: facts you can state, phrases that hint at who should live there, and how to check an AI draft.
- [How to reply to an angry tenant message, and how AI can draft it for you](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ai-reply-to-angry-tenant-message-landlord): How to answer an angry or rude tenant message calmly: what to acknowledge, what to leave out, a simple structure, and how to have AI draft it for your review.
- [How to follow up after a rental showing, with templates](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/follow-up-after-rental-showing-message-templates): What to send after a rental showing, when to send it, three short templates, and how to have AI draft each follow up while you keep the same rules for everyone.
- [What to do when an applicant starts a rental application and does not finish](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/follow-up-unfinished-rental-application-applicant): What to do when an applicant starts a rental application and stops: how long to wait, one fair message to send, what not to say, and how AI can keep track.
- [What to put in a welcome message to a new tenant](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/new-tenant-welcome-message-first-week-landlord): A welcome message for a new tenant: how to pay rent, how to report a repair, who to call in an emergency, plus a short template and an AI prompt to draft it.
- [How to check an AI assistant's answer about your rent and your numbers](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/verify-ai-rent-numbers-against-ledger-landlord-checklist): A short checklist to verify what an AI assistant says about who paid, what is owed and your income: spot check the ledger, ask for sources, watch for guesses.
- [How to compare the performance of your rental properties by asking AI](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/compare-rental-properties-performance-ask-ai-noi): How to compare your rental properties with Claude or ChatGPT: which numbers to ask for, how to read them fairly, and what to do with the weakest one.
- [How to disconnect Claude or ChatGPT from your rental software](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/disconnect-claude-chatgpt-from-rental-software-remove-access): How to remove your AI assistant's access to your rental records: when to do it, the steps in Claude and ChatGPT, what stays, and how to reconnect safely.
- [Virtual assistant or AI assistant: which fits a landlord?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/virtual-assistant-vs-ai-assistant-for-landlords): Hire a virtual assistant or use an AI assistant to run your rentals? What each does well, where each falls short, and how many owners combine them.
- [Washington rental application fee law: notice first, actual cost only and reusable reports](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/washington-rental-application-fee-laws): Washington lets a landlord charge only the screening report cost, after a written notice, and addresses reusable reports. RCW 59.18.257 explained.
- [Minnesota applicant screening fee law: no cap, but a receipt, a disclosure and a refund](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/minnesota-rental-application-fee-laws): Minnesota has no fee cap but requires a receipt, criteria disclosed in advance and a refund for some rejections. Minn. Stat. 504B.173 explained.
- [Virginia rental application fee law: $50 plus actual costs, and a new notice rule in 2027](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/virginia-rental-application-fee-laws): Virginia caps an application fee at $50 plus actual third-party check costs and sets a 20 day deposit refund. Va. Code 55.1-1203 and the 2027 change.
- [Vermont rental application law: no application fee and no required Social Security number](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/vermont-rental-application-fee-laws): Vermont bars application fees for homes and says you cannot require a Social Security number for background checks. 9 V.S.A. 4456a explained.
- [Maine rental application fee law: no fee, one actual-cost check and a copy of the report](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/maine-rental-application-fee-laws): Maine bars application fees except the actual cost of one screening check per year, with a full copy for the applicant. 14 M.R.S. 6030-H.
- [Delaware application fee law: the greater of 10 percent of rent or $50, a receipt and records](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/delaware-rental-application-fee-laws): Delaware caps an application fee at the greater of 10 percent of monthly rent or $50, with a receipt and double damages. 25 Del. C. 5514(d).
- [Nevada application fee law: refund if you never process it, and no fees for minors](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/nevada-rental-application-fee-laws): Nevada sets no fee cap but requires a refund if you rent to someone else without processing, and bars fees for minors. NRS 118A.306 explained.
- [Massachusetts rental application fees: the four-item list and why a screening fee is missing](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/massachusetts-rental-application-fee-laws): Massachusetts lists the only payments a landlord may require before move-in, and an application fee is not on it. M.G.L. c. 186, section 15B.
- [Oregon applicant screening charge law: actual cost, once per 60 days and written criteria first](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/oregon-rental-application-fee-laws): Oregon caps a screening charge at actual cost, once per 60 days, with written criteria first and refunds in 30 days. ORS 90.295 and 90.297.
- [Colorado application fee law: processing cost only, portable reports and a $2,500 penalty](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/colorado-rental-application-fee-laws): Colorado limits an application fee to processing cost, bars it when a portable screening report is offered, and refunds the rest. C.R.S. 38-12-903 to 905.
- [Can a landlord use Mercury for a rental LLC's bank account?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/mercury-bank-account-for-landlords-rental-llc): Can a landlord use Mercury for a rental LLC? What to check before you open it: partner banks, deposit insurance, Zelle, cash and checks, and your books.
- [How do you track each rental property with classes in QuickBooks Online?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/quickbooks-online-classes-per-rental-property): Use QuickBooks Online classes to see profit for each rental property in one company file, and learn when a separate company per LLC is the better choice.
- [How do you connect a bank feed for rental property bookkeeping?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/connect-bank-feed-rental-bookkeeping): How a bank feed works for a landlord, what read-only access means, how to review feed transactions, and the mistakes that make rental books wrong.
- [What do you need to open a bank account for a rental LLC?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/open-bank-account-for-rental-llc-documents): The documents a bank asks for when you open an account for a rental LLC, how to set up the account, and what to move into it from day one.
- [How can a tenant pay rent by bank transfer?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenants-pay-rent-bank-transfer-routing-number): How a tenant can pay rent by bank transfer using your account and routing numbers, what it costs, how long it takes, and what to tell tenants in writing.
- [Does a landlord have to keep security deposits in a separate bank account?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/security-deposit-separate-account-which-states): Several states require a landlord to keep security deposits apart from personal funds, some in an interest-bearing account. How to find your state's rule.
- [What bookkeeping should a small landlord do every week?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/weekly-rental-bookkeeping-routine-small-landlord): A weekly routine for a small landlord: match rent, code expenses, save receipts and chase late payments in about twenty minutes, so month-end is quick.
- [Xero or QuickBooks Online: which fits a landlord's rental books?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/xero-vs-quickbooks-for-landlords): A neutral look at Xero and QuickBooks Online for rental properties: tracking each property, bank feeds, reports, plans and what to ask your accountant.
- [Why doesn't my rent payout match what hit my bank account?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-payout-does-not-match-bank-deposit): Why a payment processor's rent payout is not the same number as your bank deposit, and how to book gross rent, fees and net deposits correctly.
- [How do you record a transfer between two of your rental LLCs' bank accounts?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/transfer-money-between-rental-llc-accounts-books): How to record money you move from one rental LLC's bank account to another so each set of books stays correct, using due to and due from entries.
- [How should a landlord record rental expenses paid with a credit card?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/credit-card-for-rental-expenses-books): How to keep a credit card for rental property expenses so the books stay clean: card choice, recording purchases, paying the statement and rewards.
- [How do you import a bank CSV file into your rental bookkeeping?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/import-bank-csv-rental-books): How to download a bank statement as CSV, clean it, and import it into rental bookkeeping without duplicates, with a checklist for dates and amounts.
- [Breaking a lease in Arizona: what lets a tenant leave and what you must do when they go](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/arizona-break-lease-early-landlord-rules): Arizona early lease exits for landlords: domestic violence release under A.R.S. 33-1318, abandonment and re-renting under 33-1370, and repair-based termination.
- [Breaking a lease in Florida: the four choices section 83.595 gives you and who can leave for free](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/florida-break-lease-early-landlord-rules): Florida early termination for landlords: the four remedies in s. 83.595, the two-month fee cap, servicemember release under s. 83.682 and repair-based exits.
- [Breaking a lease in Nevada: three statutory ways out and one gap you should plan for](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/nevada-break-lease-early-landlord-rules): Nevada early lease exits: the NRS 118A.345 victim release, the 14-day habitability route in 118A.355, the abandonment presumption and what is left out.
- [Breaking a lease in Washington: military, victims, repairs and the rerenting formula in RCW 59.18.310](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/washington-break-lease-early-landlord-rules): Washington early lease exits: armed forces release in RCW 59.18.220, the 90-day victim release in 59.18.575, repair exits and the rerenting formula.
- [Breaking a lease in Virginia: no liquidated damages for protected exits and a duty to mitigate](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/virginia-break-lease-early-landlord-rules): Virginia early lease exits: military release in 55.1-1235, a 28-day victim release in 55.1-1236, no liquidated damages, and a duty to mitigate in 55.1-1251.
- [Breaking a lease in Texas: the statutory exits, the lease language you must include and the mitigation duty](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/texas-break-lease-early-landlord-rules): Texas early lease exits: military release in Prop. Code 92.017, family violence in 92.016, repair termination in 92.056 and the duty to mitigate in 91.006.
- [Breaking a lease in Ohio: one statutory exit, the exemption for small landlords and what Chapter 5321 leaves to the lease](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ohio-break-lease-early-landlord-rules): Ohio early lease exits: R.C. 5321.07 lets a tenant terminate after 30 days of unfixed problems; no state military or victim release in Chapter 5321.
- [Breaking a lease in North Carolina: capped damages for military tenants, a free exit for victims](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/north-carolina-break-lease-early-landlord-rules): North Carolina early lease exits: the military release and capped liquidated damages in G.S. 42-45, the 30-day victim release in 42-45.1 and foreclosure exits.
- [Breaking a lease in Minnesota: the victim release, the death of a tenant and the covenants that can end a lease](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/minnesota-break-lease-early-landlord-rules): Minnesota early lease exits: the 504B.206 victim release with a full-month rent rule, a tenant's death under 504B.265 and the 504B.161 covenants.
- [Breaking a lease in Massachusetts: section 24, the three-month windows and what you can ask a victim to prove](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/massachusetts-break-lease-early-landlord-rules): Massachusetts early lease exits: the c. 186 s. 24 release for victims, its three-month windows, the proof an owner may ask for and the confidentiality duty.
- [AppFolio pricing: what each plan costs and what is not published](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/appfolio-pricing): What AppFolio charges: Core from $1.49, Plus from $3.20 and Max from $5.00 per unit a month, plus its unit minimums, with worked 5, 20 and 50 unit examples.
- [Buildium pricing: plan prices plus the fees charged per use](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/buildium-pricing): Buildium plans start at $65, $202 and $420 a month, with fees for e-signatures, bank payments and screening. Read from its pricing page with worked examples.
- [DoorLoop pricing: per-unit prices and the monthly minimums](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/doorloop-pricing): DoorLoop plans run $2.50, $4.00 and $5.00 per unit a month with $199 to $399 monthly minimums. Plan fees, screening and ACH costs, with worked examples.
- [Rent Manager pricing: no prices are published, so here is what to ask](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-manager-pricing): Rent Manager publishes no prices: its Basic, Plus and Premium bundles are by quote. What each includes, what may add cost, and what to ask for.
- [Yardi Breeze pricing: $1 per unit, the minimum and the fee schedule](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/yardi-breeze-pricing): Yardi Breeze charges $1 per unit a month with a $100 minimum, $400 on Premier, and published fees for cards, ACH, screening and bill pay. Worked examples.
- [TurboTenant pricing: the free plan, yearly plans and renter fees](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/turbotenant-pricing): TurboTenant has a free plan and paid plans from $149 a year by unit band. Renter fees, the accounting add-on and 5, 20 and 50 unit worked examples.
- [Buildium alternatives: how to choose by price structure](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/buildium-alternatives): Buildium alternatives compared on published prices, minimums, setup and per-use fees: DoorLoop, Yardi Breeze, TurboTenant, Avail and DoorKeeping.
- [DoorLoop alternatives: what to weigh before you switch](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/doorloop-alternatives): DoorLoop alternatives compared on monthly minimums, per-unit prices and tenant fees: Buildium, Yardi Breeze, AppFolio, TurboTenant and DoorKeeping.
- [TurboTenant alternatives for landlords with more units](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/turbotenant-alternatives): TurboTenant alternatives for landlords outgrowing listings and screening: Avail, DoorLoop, Yardi Breeze, Buildium and DoorKeeping, with published prices.
- [Avail alternatives: landlord price and tenant fees side by side](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/avail-alternatives): Avail alternatives compared on landlord price and tenant fees: TurboTenant, DoorLoop, Buildium, Yardi Breeze and DoorKeeping, from their own pricing pages.
- [Iowa security deposit law: two months, 30 days and a landlord who carries the proof](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/iowa-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Iowa limits a deposit to two months' rent and gives you 30 days after the tenant's address arrives. Iowa Code 562A.12, with the bad-faith penalty.
- [Nebraska security deposit law: a one month cap and a 14 day return](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/nebraska-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Nebraska caps a deposit at one month, plus a quarter month for pets, and requires the balance and itemization in 14 days. Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1416.
- [North Dakota security deposit law: interest-bearing accounts and treble damages](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/north-dakota-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): North Dakota requires an interest-bearing account, a one month cap and a 30-day itemized notice, with treble damages. N.D.C.C. 47-16-07.1.
- [West Virginia security deposit law: the notice period, records and 1.5 times damages](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/west-virginia-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): West Virginia's deposit article sets a 60-day or 45-day notice period, a record-keeping duty and 1.5 times damages. W. Va. Code 37-6A.
- [Delaware security deposit law: the escrow account, the 20 day list and double damages](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/delaware-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Delaware requires an escrow account, a one month cap on most leases and an itemized list in 20 days, with double damages. 25 Del. C. 5514.
- [Maine security deposit law: the lease sets the clock, up to 30 days](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/maine-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Maine allows up to two months' rent as a deposit, a return within 30 days for written leases and double damages. 14 M.R.S. 6031 to 6038.
- [Kansas security deposit law: one month, a 30 day outer limit and a move-in inventory](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/kansas-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Kansas caps deposits at one month, 1.5 for furnished units, and sets a 30 day outer limit with 1.5 times damages. K.S.A. 58-2550 and 58-2548.
- [South Dakota security deposit law: one month, 21 days and a 45 day accounting on request](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/south-dakota-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): South Dakota caps a deposit at one month's rent and gives landlords 21 days to return it or explain, with an itemized accounting on request.
- [Alaska security deposit law: a two month cap with a $2,000 rent line and a 14 or 30 day refund](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/alaska-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Alaska allows two months in deposits and prepaid rent below a $2,000 rent line, and sets 14 or 30 days for the refund. AS 34.03.070 explained.
- [Vermont security deposit law: 14 days, no cap in the statute and double damages](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/vermont-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Vermont gives landlords 14 days to return a deposit with an itemized statement, and double damages for willful failure. 9 V.S.A. 4461.
- [Florida landlord right of entry: 24 hours for repairs, any time to protect the property](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/florida-landlord-right-of-entry): Florida landlord entry under Fla. Stat. 83.53: 24 hours' notice for repairs, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., emergencies, absences and how to send the notice.
- [Arizona landlord entry notice: two days, reasonable hours and a service-request shortcut](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/arizona-landlord-right-of-entry): Arizona landlord entry under A.R.S. 33-1343: two days' notice, reasonable times, emergencies, service requests and the court-order rule.
- [Ohio landlord entry rules: reasonable notice, a 24-hour presumption and tenant remedies](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ohio-landlord-right-of-entry): Ohio landlord entry under R.C. 5321.04 and 5321.05: reasonable notice, 24 hours presumed reasonable, emergencies and what a tenant can recover.
- [Washington landlord entry: two days in writing, a window of time and a phone number](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/washington-landlord-right-of-entry): Washington landlord entry under RCW 59.18.150: two days' written notice, what it must say, emergencies, showings and the $100 per violation penalty.
- [Virginia landlord entry: reasonable access, 72 hours for maintenance and court-ordered access](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/virginia-landlord-right-of-entry): Virginia landlord access under Va. Code 55.1-1229: consent, emergencies, 72 hours' notice for routine maintenance and court-ordered access.
- [Minnesota landlord entry law: a business reason, 24 hours' notice and an 8-to-8 window](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/minnesota-landlord-right-of-entry): Minnesota landlord entry under Minn. Stat. 504B.211: reasonable business purpose, 24 hours' notice, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., emergencies and the $500 penalty.
- [Oregon landlord access: 24 hours of actual notice, a tenant's right to deny and a damages floor](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/oregon-landlord-right-of-entry): Oregon landlord access under ORS 90.322: 24 hours' actual notice, tenant denial, emergencies, repair requests and the one-month rent damages floor.
- [Nevada landlord right of entry: 24 hours' notice during business hours](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/nevada-landlord-right-of-entry): Nevada landlord access under NRS 118A.330: 24 hours' notice, normal business hours, emergencies, consent and the court-order limit on other entry.
- [South Carolina landlord entry: 24 hours' notice and set hours for scheduled services](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/south-carolina-landlord-right-of-entry): South Carolina landlord entry under S.C. Code 27-40-530: 24 hours' notice, set hours for scheduled services, weather emergencies and tenant remedies.
- [Kansas landlord right to enter: reasonable hours, reasonable notice and an extreme-hazard exception](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/kansas-landlord-right-of-entry): Kansas landlord entry under K.S.A. 58-2557: reasonable hours after reasonable notice, allowed reasons, the extreme hazard exception and tenant remedies.
- [Nebraska landlord entry notice: written, 24 hours ahead, with a purpose and a time window](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/nebraska-landlord-entry-notice): Nebraska landlord entry under Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1423: 24 hours of written notice, what it must state, emergencies and the court-order limit.
- [Delaware landlord entry: 48 hours' notice, an 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. window and void liability waivers](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/delaware-landlord-entry-notice): Delaware landlord entry under 25 Del. C. 5509 and 5510: 48 hours' notice, entry between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., emergencies and tenant remedies.
- [Iowa landlord entry rules: 24 hours, reasonable times and almost no other way in](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/iowa-landlord-entry-notice): Iowa landlord entry under Iowa Code 562A.19: 24 hours' notice, reasonable times, emergencies, and the court-order and abandonment limits.
- [Vermont landlord entry: 48 hours' notice, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and a tight emergency rule](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/vermont-landlord-entry-notice): Vermont landlord entry under 9 V.S.A. 4460: 48 hours' notice, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., the permitted reasons and the imminent-danger emergency exception.
- [Maine landlord entry: reasonable notice, a 24-hour presumption and a $250 damages floor](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/maine-landlord-entry-notice): Maine landlord entry under 14 M.R.S. 6025: reasonable notice with 24 hours presumed reasonable, emergencies and damages of the greater of actual loss or $250.
- [Rhode Island landlord entry: two days' notice, plus a rule for tenants away for a week](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rhode-island-landlord-entry-notice): Rhode Island landlord entry under R.I. Gen. Laws 34-18-26: two days' notice, reasonable times, emergencies and entry after a seven-day absence.
- [Montana landlord entry: 24 hours, a notice you may post on the door and a lock rule](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/montana-landlord-entry-notice): Montana landlord entry under MCA 70-24-312: 24 hours' notice that can be posted on the main entry door, reasonable times, emergencies and lock rules.
- [North Dakota landlord entry: a time certain, presumed consent and wider emergency reasons](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/north-dakota-landlord-entry-notice): North Dakota landlord entry under N.D.C.C. 47-16-07.3: a time certain, presumed consent, emergencies, abandonment and suspected lease violations.
- [Massachusetts landlord entry: what a lease may allow, and what the statute leaves unsaid](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/massachusetts-landlord-entry-rules): Massachusetts landlord entry under G.L. c.186 section 15B: a lease may allow entry only to inspect, repair or show, plus court order and abandonment.
- [Can a landlord charge a credit card fee on rent?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/can-landlord-charge-credit-card-fee-on-rent): Whether a landlord can add a credit card fee to rent, which states ban or cap card surcharges, and what Visa and Mastercard add on top.
- [How to list a rental on Zillow, Zumper and Realtor.com](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/list-rental-on-zillow-zumper-realtor-com): How to list a vacant rental on Zillow, Zumper and Realtor.com: what each costs, which other sites each one reaches, and a one-pass routine.
- [How to rent a unit without showing it in person](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-apartment-without-showing-self-guided-tour-online-lease): How to rent a unit without being there: self-guided tour safety, ID checks, smart lock basics, and why an e-signed lease is valid under ESIGN and UETA.
- [How to make a rental listing page that gets found on Google](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-listing-page-that-gets-found-on-google): How to build a rental listing page that gets found on Google: structured data, photos, clear text and fair housing wording, with HUD and Google sources.
- [How to manage a mixed-use building with apartments and retail suites](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/manage-mixed-use-building-apartments-and-retail): How to run a building with apartments above and retail suites below: separate leases, separate books, 27.5 versus 39 year depreciation and who pays what.
- [How to build a unit turn board and track days vacant](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/unit-turn-board-track-days-vacant): How to set up a unit turn board that shows every vacant unit, its make-ready stage, who is on it and how many days it has sat empty, with a cost example.
- [How to build a preventive maintenance calendar for your rentals](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/preventive-maintenance-calendar-rental-portfolio): How to turn a preventive maintenance list into a calendar of recurring tasks by building, unit and equipment, with intervals, owners and a worked cost example.
- [How to see all your rental properties and LLCs in one report](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/consolidated-pl-multiple-rental-llcs): How to see income, expenses, rent roll and Schedule E across every property and LLC at once, and how to ask an AI app for it in plain English.
- [How to give your team limited access to your rental software](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/give-property-manager-bookkeeper-limited-access-rental-software): How to give a property manager, bookkeeper, maintenance lead or partner the access they need and nothing more, with a role table and a setup checklist.
- [How to manage one to four rental units yourself, without overbuilding](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/property-management-for-1-to-4-rental-units): What a self-managing owner of one to four rental units actually needs: a lean setup for rent, records, repairs and taxes, and what costs more than it saves.
- [You paid one rental LLC's bill from another LLC's account: how to fix it](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/pay-bill-from-wrong-llc-account-fix-books): You paid a repair for one rental LLC from another LLC's bank account. Why it matters, how to record it as a loan or contribution, and how to stop it recurring.
- [Should an AI pay your bills or send tenant notices? Where to draw the line](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/should-ai-pay-bills-send-notices-landlord-approval): What a landlord should let an AI do alone, what needs a one-tap approval, and how to set the line so money and legal steps always stay with you.
- [The landlord's morning brief: what to check every day in under five minutes](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/landlord-daily-checklist-morning-brief): A short daily routine for landlords: the ten items to check each morning across rent, repairs, leases and bank activity, and how a morning brief automates it.
- [How to give co-owners of a rental property a statement and split the money](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-partner-distribution-statement-capital-accounts): How to report to co-owners of a rental property: what a partner statement shows, how to split income by ownership share and how capital accounts work.
- [Year-end close for rental property books: a checklist before you send them to your tax preparer](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/year-end-close-rental-property-books-checklist): A year-end checklist for rental property books: reconcile twelve months, true up deposits, review 1099 payments and hand your tax preparer a clean package.
- [How to move your rentals from spreadsheets to AI first property management](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/move-rental-property-spreadsheet-to-software): When a rental spreadsheet stops working, what to move first, how to import your rent roll and balances, and how to switch to AI first property management.
- [How to triage maintenance requests: emergency, urgent or routine](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/triage-maintenance-requests-emergency-urgent-routine): Sort tenant repair requests into emergency, urgent and routine, set a response time for each, and let an AI app do the first pass for you.
- [How to send a repair job to a vendor by link, with no vendor login](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/send-repair-job-to-vendor-by-link-no-login): How to hand a repair to a plumber or handyman with one link: what to put in it, how they accept, quote and finish, and what you see back.
- [Can AI read a contractor invoice and code the expense for a rental?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ai-read-contractor-invoice-code-rental-expense): How AI reads a contractor bill, picks the property, the expense account and repair versus improvement, and why you still check the flagged lines.
- [How to pay a contractor safely as a landlord, with owner approval on every payment](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/pay-contractor-landlord-approval-checklist): A seven-step checklist for paying rental contractors: match the invoice to the job, check the paperwork, approve each payment and record it.
- [Who gets a 1099-NEC from a landlord: handymen, plumbers, cleaners and card payments](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/who-gets-1099-nec-handyman-zelle-credit-card): Which of your handymen, plumbers and cleaners need a 1099-NEC: the $600 and $2,000 thresholds, corporations, card payments and the January 31 date.
- [Credit card reconciliation for a rental business, step by step](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/credit-card-reconciliation-rental-business): How to reconcile a business credit card for rentals: record purchases per property, match the statement, and book the payment as a transfer.
- [Your rental bank reconciliation does not balance: how to find the difference](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/bank-reconciliation-wont-balance-rental-find-difference): Your rental bank reconciliation will not balance? Use the difference to find the cause: a flipped sign, a transposed number, a duplicate or a timing item.
- [How to calculate the maximum late fee on rent: Texas, Virginia and Maine examples](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/calculate-maximum-late-fee-rent-texas-virginia-maine): Work out the most you can charge for late rent with worked examples under Texas, Virginia and Maine law, and when a late fee can start.
- [How to track security deposits per property, with return deadlines by state](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/track-security-deposits-per-property-return-deadlines): How to track each tenant's security deposit per property: a ledger, a bank account, and the return deadlines in Texas, Florida, Virginia and Ohio.
- [What a rent roll should show when a lender or buyer asks for one](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-roll-for-lender-or-buyer-what-it-should-show): The columns a lender or buyer expects on a rent roll, how to prove it against your bank and books, and the mistakes that cost a deal time.
- [An audit log for rental bookkeeping: what it should record and why](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/audit-log-for-rental-bookkeeping-what-to-record): What an audit log should record for approvals, payments and changes in your rental books, and how it protects you with partners, lenders and the IRS.
- [How a replacement reserve account works in your books, and what it does for taxes](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/replacement-reserve-account-tax-treatment-mechanics): How to run a replacement reserve account for rentals: monthly transfers, when money comes out, and why a transfer is not a tax deduction.
- [What to put in a lease renewal offer letter](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/lease-renewal-offer-letter-what-to-include): What a lease renewal offer should say: the new rent, the term, a reply deadline, and what happens if the tenant stays silent. State notice rules cited.
- [How to do a move-out inspection with photos](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/move-out-inspection-photos-checklist): How to run a move-out inspection with dated photos: what to shoot, what to compare to move-in, and what to write down so deposit decisions hold up.
- [What an itemized security deposit statement must include](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/itemized-security-deposit-statement-what-to-include): What an itemized security deposit statement needs: each deduction, the cost, the proof, the refund and the deadline. Washington, Arizona and Oregon cited.
- [How to keep a record of everything you send and hear from tenants](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/keep-record-of-tenant-communications-landlord): How landlords can keep a clean record of tenant emails and notices: what to save, how to name it, how long to keep it, and why it protects you in a dispute.
- [Where to store leases and rental documents, property by property](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/where-to-store-lease-documents-per-rental-property): A simple filing system for rental leases, addenda, inspections and notices: one folder per property and unit, a naming rule, and what to keep and for how long.
- [What a notice to cure a lease violation has to say](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/notice-to-cure-lease-violation-what-it-must-contain): What a written notice to cure a lease violation usually contains, and how the cure period differs: 10 days in Washington and Arizona, 14 in Oregon.
- [How much notice does a tenant have to give before moving out?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-much-notice-must-tenant-give-to-move-out): How much written notice a month-to-month tenant must give before moving out: 20 days in Washington, 30 in Oregon and Arizona, and what a lease changes.
- [New tenant onboarding checklist: from signed lease to move-in day](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/new-tenant-onboarding-checklist-after-lease-signing): What to do between a signed lease and move-in day: disclosures, the first payment, keys, the condition report, utilities and a welcome message, step by step.
- [How to write a rental pet policy and addendum](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/write-rental-pet-policy-addendum): What a rental pet policy should cover: which animals, limits, fees and rent, damage, and how assistance animals differ under HUD guidance. Plain steps.
- [How to make a virtual tour of a rental listing from your own photos](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-make-virtual-tour-rental-listing): How to make a virtual tour of a rental from the unit's own photos: pick the shots, order them, write fair housing safe captions, and add narration if wanted.
- [What landlord insurance usually does not cover](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/landlord-insurance-exclusions-what-isnt-covered): Common landlord insurance exclusions, such as flood, earthquake, wear and tear and tenant belongings, and how to find the gaps in your own policy.
- [Loss of rent coverage: how fair rental value pays a landlord](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/loss-of-rent-coverage-fair-rental-value-landlord): How loss of rent (fair rental value) coverage works: what triggers it, how long it pays, what it leaves out and how to record the lost rent.
- [Umbrella insurance for landlords: do you need one?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/umbrella-policy-landlord-do-you-need-one): What an umbrella policy adds on top of landlord liability limits, what it usually requires underneath, and how to decide whether to buy one.
- [Landlord liability risks at a rental and how to reduce them](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/landlord-liability-risks-rental-property-checklist): The most common ways a landlord is held responsible for harm at a rental, and a checklist of fixes you can do this month. General information only.
- [How to file an insurance claim after tenant damage](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/file-insurance-claim-tenant-damage-landlord-steps): Steps to file a landlord insurance claim after tenant damage: document, mitigate, report, keep receipts, and when the deposit comes first.
- [Vacant property insurance and the vacancy clause](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/vacant-property-insurance-landlord-vacancy-clause): How the vacancy clause in a landlord policy can limit coverage when a unit sits empty, what counts as vacant, and how to avoid a surprise at claim time.
- [Slip-and-fall prevention checklist for a rental property](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/slip-and-fall-prevention-checklist-rental-property): A practical checklist to prevent slip, trip and fall injuries at a rental: stairs, lighting, ice, walkways and records that show you acted.
- [Replacement cost vs actual cash value on a landlord policy](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/replacement-cost-vs-actual-cash-value-landlord-policy): How replacement cost and actual cash value differ on a landlord policy, with a worked example, and why your coverage limit may be too low.
- [DP-1, DP-2 and DP-3: the landlord policy forms explained](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/dp-1-dp-2-dp-3-landlord-policy-forms): What the DP-1, DP-2 and DP-3 dwelling fire forms mean for a rental owner: named perils versus open perils, and what to ask your agent.
- [What to do when a landlord insurance claim is denied](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-insurance-claim-denied-what-landlord-can-do): If your landlord insurance claim is denied or underpaid, here are the steps: read the letter, ask for the policy basis, appeal and contact your state regulator.
- [Does an LLC replace insurance on a rental property?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/llc-does-not-replace-insurance-rental-property-limits): What an LLC can and cannot do for a landlord: separating properties, limits like personal guarantees and veil piercing, and why insurance still matters.
- [How to document a rental's condition for claims and deposits](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/property-condition-baseline-photos-for-claims-and-deposits): How to build a dated condition record of each rental, with room by room photos and key systems, that supports both insurance claims and deposit deductions.
- [What a tenant estoppel certificate is and when you need one](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-estoppel-certificate-landlord): A tenant estoppel certificate is a signed statement of lease terms, rent and deposit. Learn when a buyer or lender asks for one and how to prepare it.
- [Parking rules to put in your lease, and how to enforce them](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/parking-rules-lease-towing-landlord): Write clear parking rules for a rental: assigned spaces, guest parking, inoperable cars and towing. See what a lease should say and how to enforce it.
- [What a landlord does when a tenant dies](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-dies-in-rental-what-landlord-does): When a tenant dies, the lease does not end automatically. See who to contact, how to handle belongings, rent and the deposit, and what to check by state.
- [How to sue a former tenant in small claims court](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/sue-tenant-small-claims-unpaid-rent-damages): Learn when a landlord can sue a former tenant in small claims for unpaid rent or damage: what to gather, how to file, and what a judgment does and does not do.
- [What a landlord does when a tenant files for bankruptcy](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-files-bankruptcy-landlord-rent-automatic-stay): A tenant bankruptcy filing starts an automatic stay that stops collection of old rent. See what you can still do, what you cannot, and the key deadlines.
- [What to do when a tenant moves in an unauthorized occupant](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-moved-someone-in-unauthorized-occupant): A tenant let a partner or friend move in and the lease does not list them. See how to confirm it, what a written notice says and your options, step by step.
- [Package theft at your rental: are you responsible?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/package-theft-apartment-landlord-delivery-rules): Is a landlord responsible for stolen packages? Learn the common rule, a simple delivery policy for apartments and how to reduce theft without big costs.
- [A tenant asks to install an EV charger: how to handle it](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-asks-to-install-ev-charger-landlord): A tenant asks to install an electric vehicle charger. See what to ask, who pays, how to protect the property and what a short addendum should say.
- [Trash and recycling rules for your lease](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/trash-recycling-rules-lease-landlord): Write trash and recycling rules tenants can follow: bin days, where bins go, bulky items, fees for overflow and who pays for cleanup. Includes a sample clause.
- [Can a tenant run a business from your rental?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-runs-business-from-rental-home-business-clause): Can a tenant run a business from your rental? See what a home business clause covers, when to allow it and the zoning, insurance and traffic questions to ask.
- [How to sell a rental property with tenants still in it](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/sell-rental-property-with-tenants-in-place): Selling a rental with tenants living in it: what happens to the lease, the deposit and rent, what to give the buyer, and how to keep tenants informed.
- [Squatter or tenant: what a landlord does first](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/squatter-or-tenant-landlord-first-steps): Someone is living in your property without a lease. Learn how to tell a squatter from a tenant, why self-help removal is risky, and the order of steps to take.
- [What a tenant ledger is and how to keep one](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-ledger-what-to-record): A tenant ledger lists every charge and payment for one tenant. See the columns to keep, how to enter late fees and credits, and how to read the balance.
- [A move-out inspection checklist for landlords](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/move-out-inspection-checklist-landlord): A room-by-room move-out inspection checklist for landlords: what to photograph, how to compare with move-in, and how to record damage versus wear.
- [Rent receipts: when you must give one and what to put on it](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-receipt-landlord-what-to-include): What a rent receipt should say, when a landlord must give one (cash payments especially), and a simple template you can copy for any state.
- [How much should you raise the rent? A step-by-step method](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-much-to-raise-rent-fairly): How to decide how much to raise rent: compare local rents, weigh turnover cost, check legal caps and see the dollar effect before you send the notice.
- [Who pays the utilities in a rental: landlord or tenant?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/who-pays-utilities-landlord-or-tenant): Who pays water, electric, gas, trash and internet in a rental? How to set it in the lease, what applies to vacant units and what a landlord must provide.
- [Cash for keys: how to pay a tenant to move out](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/cash-for-keys-agreement-landlord): What cash for keys is, when a landlord uses it instead of an eviction, what the written agreement should say and how to avoid the common mistakes.
- [How to respond to a noise complaint between tenants](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-noise-complaints-landlord-response): How a landlord should handle noise complaints between tenants: log it, check the lease, warn the noisy tenant in writing and know when to escalate.
- [Roaches and mice in a rental: who pays for pest control?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/roaches-mice-who-pays-pest-control-apartment): Who pays for pest control in a rental, the landlord or the tenant? How leases split it, what habitability law says and how to handle a building-wide problem.
- [How to write a fair guest policy for your lease](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-guest-policy-lease-overnight-guests): How to write a fair guest policy for a lease: how long a guest can stay, when a guest becomes an unapproved occupant and what the law limits.
- [How to keep a tenant communication log](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/landlord-tenant-communication-log-records): How to keep a landlord-tenant communication log: what to write down, where to store texts, calls and emails, and how long to keep the record.
- [How to become a landlord: the first steps](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-become-a-landlord-first-steps): How to become a landlord: pick the property, learn the federal rules, set up insurance and books, write the lease and screen fairly. A plain step list.
- [First rental property checklist: before and after closing](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/first-rental-property-checklist-before-and-after-closing): A first rental property checklist in two parts: what to line up before you close and what to do in the first weeks after, from insurance to the first lease.
- [Landlord insurance vs a homeowners policy: what changes when you rent a home out](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/landlord-insurance-vs-homeowners-policy): Landlord insurance versus a homeowners policy: what each covers when a home is rented, what neither covers, and what to ask your agent before move-in.
- [When should you form an LLC for a rental property?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/when-to-form-llc-for-rental-property): When a rental owner might form an LLC: what an LLC is, how the IRS taxes it by default, the costs, and what to ask your own attorney and CPA first.
- [How much time does being a landlord take?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-much-time-does-being-a-landlord-take): How many hours being a landlord really takes: the weekly tasks, the busy weeks around turnover, and what changes as you go from one unit to several.
- [How to manage a single-family rental from another state](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/manage-single-family-rental-from-another-state): How to run a single-family rental from another state: your local team, remote photos and records, state rules by property, and taxes to ask your CPA about.
- [Buying a duplex to live in: owner-occupant landlord tips](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/buy-duplex-to-live-in-owner-occupant-landlord-tips): Living in one side of a duplex and renting the other: how to handle financing questions, tenant boundaries, separate records and the tax split to ask about.
- [The 1 percent rule for rental property, explained](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/one-percent-rule-rental-property-explained): The 1 percent rule says monthly rent should be at least 1 percent of the price. How to use it as a quick filter, and what it leaves out of the math.
- [How to build a simple rental property pro forma before you buy](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-property-pro-forma-before-you-buy): How to build a simple pro forma for a rental before buying: rent, vacancy, tax, insurance, repairs and reserves, with a worked example and a checklist.
- [Rental property startup costs: a first-year budget](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-property-startup-costs-first-year-budget): What it costs to start as a landlord beyond the down payment: closing, repairs, reserves, insurance, turnover and a first-year budget you can copy.
- [Questions to ask a property manager before you hire one](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/questions-to-ask-property-manager-before-hiring): Questions to ask a property manager before you sign: fees, what is included, owner funds, tenant screening, repairs, reports and how to end the contract.
- [Federal laws every new landlord should know](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/federal-laws-every-new-landlord-must-know): The federal rules that apply to most rentals: fair housing and the lead paint disclosure for homes built before 1978, plus what your state adds.
- [Utah late fee laws for rent: the greater of 10 percent or $75](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/utah-rent-late-fee-law): Utah late fee rules under Utah Code 57-22-4: at most the greater of 10 percent of rent or $75, and no fee the rental agreement leaves out.
- [Hawaii late fee laws for rent: an 8 percent ceiling](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/hawaii-rent-late-fee-law): Hawaii late fee rules under HRS 521-21(f): a late charge cannot exceed 8 percent of the rent due, and only where the rental agreement provides one.
- [Idaho late fee laws for rent: reasonable, agreed and noticed](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/idaho-rent-late-fee-law): Idaho late fee rules under Idaho Code 55-305: fees must be reasonable and agreed, and a written lease needs 30 days' notice to change one.
- [Rhode Island late fee laws for rent: disclose the fee and mind the 15 days](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rhode-island-rent-late-fee-law): Rhode Island late fee rules: R.I. Gen. Laws 34-18-15 requires fees beyond rent to be disclosed in the lease, and 34-18-35 sets the 15-day notice step.
- [Montana late fee laws for rent: no cap, but a rule on payment-type fees](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/montana-rent-late-fee-law): Montana late fee rules: no cap in the landlord-tenant act, a 3-day nonpayment notice, a deposit can cover late charges, and limits on payment-type fees.
- [South Carolina late fee laws for rent: late charges count as rent](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/south-carolina-rent-late-fee-law): South Carolina late fee rules: no cap in chapter 40, a definition of rent that includes late charges, and a five-day nonpayment notice in 27-40-710.
- [Kansas late fee laws for rent: the lease sets the fee, the notice gives three days](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/kansas-rent-late-fee-law): Kansas late fee rules: K.S.A. 58-2545 lets the lease set terms, with no cap in that section, and 58-2564 gives the tenant three days after a nonpayment notice.
- [Nebraska late fee laws for rent: the lease sets the fee, notice gives seven days](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/nebraska-rent-late-fee-law): Nebraska late fee rules: no cap in 76-1414, rent due without demand, and a seven-calendar-day notice before a landlord can end a tenancy under 76-1431.
- [Vermont late fee laws for rent: no cap, 14 days' notice, no waiver by partial payment](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/vermont-rent-late-fee-law): Vermont late fee rules: no cap in 9 V.S.A. 4455, rent is due without demand, and 4467 requires 14 days' notice and says partial payment is no waiver.
- [Missouri late fee laws for rent: a late fee is not rent in a possession case](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/missouri-rent-late-fee-law): Missouri late fee rules: no cap in the rent and possession chapter, but RSMo 535.020 says other sums such as late fees are not rent for possession.
- [How fast should you reply to a rental inquiry?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-inquiry-response-time-reply-standard): How fast to reply to a rental inquiry: pick a time target you can keep, send an instant acknowledgement after hours, and log every reply so nothing slips.
- [Rental lead follow-up: a 3-touch plan with templates](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-lead-follow-up-email-text-templates): A simple follow-up plan for rental leads who go quiet: what to send on day 1, 3 and 7, with copy-ready email and text templates and when to stop.
- [What is a guest card in rental leasing?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/guest-card-rental-what-it-is): A guest card is a short record of a rental prospect: contact details, what they want, and where they are in leasing. What to put on one, and what to leave off.
- [Leasing pipeline stages for small landlords](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/leasing-pipeline-stages-small-landlord): The stages a rental lead moves through from inquiry to signed lease, what counts as moving on, and how to see where leads get stuck in your own pipeline.
- [How to track where your rental leads come from](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/track-where-rental-leads-come-from): How to record the source of every rental lead, name sources consistently, and work out which listing site, sign or referral produces signed leases.
- [How to follow up after a rental showing](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/follow-up-after-rental-showing): What to send after a rental showing: a same-day thank-you with next steps, a nudge with the apply link, and how to close the loop whether or not they apply.
- [Fair housing-safe wording for rental ads and follow-up messages](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/fair-housing-safe-rental-follow-up-wording): Words to use and avoid in rental ads, inquiry replies and follow-ups so every prospect hears the same thing, with examples of safe and risky phrasing.
- [Texting prospective tenants: consent, STOP and quiet hours](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/text-prospective-tenants-tcpa-consent-quiet-hours): How to text rental prospects within TCPA rules: get consent when they inquire, honor STOP, keep to reasonable hours, and what to do if they only emailed.
- [How to re-engage lost rental leads](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/re-engage-lost-rental-leads): How to bring back rental leads that went cold: who to contact, when a second look is worth it, a short win-back message, and when to leave a lead alone.
- [Do small landlords need a leasing CRM?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/leasing-crm-for-small-landlords-spreadsheet-or-software): What a leasing CRM does for a landlord, when a spreadsheet is enough, and the features that matter: lead history, follow-ups, showings and links to leases.
- [How to turn an approved applicant into a signed lease](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/convert-approved-applicant-to-signed-lease): Approved applicants sometimes walk away before signing. How to send the lease fast, hold the unit fairly, set a signing deadline, and keep a backup ready.
- [Leasing funnel metrics small landlords should track](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/leasing-funnel-metrics-small-landlord): Five simple numbers for your leasing funnel: reply time, showing rate, show-up rate, application rate and days vacant. How to count them and what to fix.
- [Is rental income subject to self-employment tax?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/is-rental-income-subject-to-self-employment-tax): Rent from an apartment, house or condo is generally not self-employment income. Here is the exception for substantial services and what to track.
- [Renting a room in your home: how rent and expenses are reported](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-a-room-in-your-home-taxes-expenses): How to report rent from a spare room, split shared costs between personal and rental use, and keep records that hold up at tax time.
- [Can you deduct expenses on a vacant rental property?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/deduct-expenses-vacant-rental-property): Costs of a vacant rental are deductible while it is held for rent, but lost rent is not. What qualifies, what does not, and how to record it.
- [Can you deduct travel to an out-of-town rental property?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/deduct-travel-to-out-of-town-rental-property): When flights, hotels and meals for a trip to your rental are deductible, when local driving is just commuting, and what records you need.
- [Are eviction and legal fees tax deductible for a landlord?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/are-legal-fees-eviction-costs-deductible-landlord): Which landlord legal fees go on Schedule E line 10 and which, like defending title, must be added to the property basis instead.
- [A tenant pays you to cancel the lease: is it taxable income?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-pays-to-break-lease-is-it-income): A lease cancellation payment is rent for tax purposes. How to record a termination fee in your books, and what happens to the security deposit.
- [You inherited a rental property: how to set the basis and start the books](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/inherited-rental-property-basis-depreciation): How the basis of an inherited rental is set, why it often resets to market value at death, and how to start your books and depreciation.
- [Do you need a separate bank account for your rental property?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/separate-bank-account-for-rental-property): Why landlords should keep rent and expenses in an account used only for the rental, what to deposit, and how to keep deposit slips and sources.
- [When does a landlord have to file Form 4562?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/form-4562-rental-property-when-to-file): When a landlord must attach Form 4562 for depreciation, why the first year matters, and what to keep so later years stay simple.
- [Are condo dues and HOA assessments deductible on a rental?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/condo-dues-hoa-assessments-rental-deduction): How landlords record condominium dues and special assessments, what Publication 527 says is deductible, and how to split dues from big projects.
- [Co-owned rental property: how each owner reports income and expenses](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/co-owners-rental-property-report-income-expenses-share): How co-owners of a rental report income and expenses by ownership share, what to do with a shared mortgage form, and how to keep books everyone trusts.
- [Are property management fees and leasing commissions deductible?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/deduct-property-management-fees-leasing-commissions): Where property management fees and leasing commissions go on Schedule E, what to track, and what happens when you pay commissions to buy a property.
- [How many days does a tenant have to report damage after moving in?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-many-days-tenant-report-move-in-damage): State examples of the window for a move-in condition list: Virginia 5 days, Massachusetts 10 and 15, California move-in photos, and Washington checklist.
- [Do California landlords have to offer an inspection before the tenant moves out?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/california-initial-inspection-before-move-out): California landlords must offer a tenant an initial inspection before move-out. The notice, the 48 hours, what to list, and the 21-day deposit deadline.
- [Can a landlord charge a tenant for damaged carpet, and how does the age of the carpet matter?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/charge-tenant-for-damaged-carpet-age-of-carpet): How to charge for carpet damage fairly: wear versus damage, how a prorated charge works with a worked example, and what statutes say about normal wear.
- [Can a landlord charge a tenant for repainting walls after move-out?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/charge-tenant-for-repainting-walls-after-move-out): When repainting after move-out is normal wear and when it is a tenant charge, with a prorated worked example and what Texas and California statutes say.
- [Can a landlord deduct from the security deposit for cigarette smoke damage?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/cigarette-smoke-odor-damage-security-deposit): Can you take smoke odor and staining out of a deposit? Why it is hard to call wear, what to document, how to prorate the cost, and what the lease should say.
- [Should a landlord keep the utilities on in a vacant unit between tenants?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/keep-utilities-on-vacant-rental-between-tenants): Why a vacant unit needs power and water during a turn, how a utility landlord agreement moves service into your name, and what it can cost you.
- [How do I make sure a new tenant puts the utilities in their name at move-in?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/require-tenant-utilities-in-their-name-before-move-in): How to get a new tenant to start utilities before keys, what proof to ask for, how to avoid paying their bills, and a deposit rule from Virginia.
- [How do I schedule vendors for a unit turn so the unit is not empty longer than it has to be?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/schedule-vendors-for-a-unit-turn-without-gaps): How to book painters, cleaners, floor installers and a locksmith in the right order, how much slack to build in, and what to do when a vendor does not show.
- [Should a landlord get a lien waiver from a contractor before paying for a repair?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/lien-waiver-from-contractor-before-final-payment): What a conditional lien waiver does, why you ask for one with each payment on a bigger rental repair, and how California words the progress form.
- [How much of a deposit can a contractor ask for before starting a rental repair?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-much-deposit-can-a-contractor-ask-for-rental-repair): California caps a home improvement down payment at the lesser of $1,000 or 10 percent. How progress payments, written contracts and 3-day cancel rights work.
- [A tenant disputes my security deposit deductions. What proof should I have?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-disputes-security-deposit-deductions-what-landlord-should-show): What evidence wins a deposit dispute, the penalty exposure in Texas and California, small claims basics, and how to answer a tenant who says it was there.
- [What cleaning checklist should a landlord give tenants before they move out?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/move-out-cleaning-checklist-for-tenants): A room-by-room cleaning list to send tenants before they move out, the standard California uses, and why a clear list cuts deposit disputes.
- [Can a landlord charge a fee when a tenant pays rent by credit card, and which states ban it?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/credit-card-surcharge-rent-states-ban-cap): Which states ban or cap credit card surcharges on rent, why debit cards are different, and how to offer a free option so you never have to charge one.
- [What should a landlord do when a tenant disputes a card rent payment and the money is taken back?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-credit-card-chargeback-rent): A tenant disputes a card rent payment and the money is pulled back. Here is what a chargeback is, how to respond, and what it does to the ledger.
- [How do you set up a payment plan for a tenant who is behind on rent?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/payment-plan-for-late-rent-agreement): How a landlord can agree to a payment plan for back rent: what to put in writing, how it affects notices and late fees, and when to say no.
- [What is a good day-by-day follow-up schedule when rent is late?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/late-rent-follow-up-schedule-day-by-day): A practical schedule for chasing late rent from day 1 to day 30: when to remind, when to charge a late fee, and when to send the legal notice.
- [What should a landlord do when a tenant says they will pay the late rent on Friday?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-says-they-will-pay-friday-late-rent): A tenant says the rent is coming Friday. How to accept the promise without losing your rights: what to write, what to check, and when to stop waiting.
- [In what order should trades work in a unit turn: paint, flooring, cleaning?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/unit-turn-order-of-trades-paint-floors-clean): The order of trades in an apartment turn, from repairs and paint to flooring and the final clean, and why the wrong order costs you days of vacancy.
- [How do you calculate what a vacant apartment costs per day between tenants?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/cost-of-vacant-apartment-per-day-turn): How to work out what each vacant day costs between tenants, including lost rent, utilities and turn costs, and when a faster vendor pays for itself.
- [How often should HVAC filters be changed in a rental, and who is responsible?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-often-change-hvac-filters-rental): How often furnace and AC filters should be changed in a rental, who is responsible, and a simple way to schedule filter swaps for every unit.
- [How often should a landlord flush or drain a rental water heater?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-often-flush-water-heater-sediment-rental): How often to drain sediment from a tank water heater in a rental, a simple routine for landlords, and when a flush is not worth the risk.
- [How should a small landlord check and approve a vendor invoice before paying it?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/vendor-invoice-approval-process-landlord): A simple three-point check for vendor invoices: match the work order, the finished job and the price before you pay, and keep records for taxes.
- [What should a landlord do when a vendor invoice is higher than the quote?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/vendor-invoice-higher-than-quote-what-to-do): A contractor or repair vendor billed more than the quote. How to check it, what to ask, how to write the dispute, and how to prevent it next time.
- [Is a vendor invoice for my rental a repair or an improvement?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/repair-or-improvement-rental-invoice-tax): How landlords tell a deductible repair from a capital improvement on a vendor invoice, with examples, IRS rules in plain words, and what to ask the vendor.
- [What should a landlord do when a tenant overpays rent: credit it or refund it?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-overpaid-rent-credit-or-refund): What to do when a tenant sends too much rent: apply it as a credit, refund it, or check for a mistake or a scam, and how to record it correctly.
- [Should rent be due on the 1st of the month for everyone, or on different dates?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-due-first-of-month-or-staggered-dates): Should all your tenants pay on the 1st, or should due dates match their paydays? Pros, cons and how to change a due date without breaking the lease.
- [How often should a landlord clean the gutters and check the roof on a rental property?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/gutter-roof-inspection-schedule-rental-property): How often to clean gutters and look over the roof of a rental, what to check from the ground, and what a small leak costs you if you wait.
- [How often should a landlord schedule pest control for a rental property?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/pest-control-schedule-rental-property-who-pays): How often to treat a rental for pests, what a preventive plan covers, how to write tenant duties into the lease, and what the EPA says to do first.
- [How do I choose and vet a handyman for my rental properties?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-vet-handyman-rental-property): A checklist to hire a handyman for rentals: license rules, insurance, references, a paid trial job, written quotes and the red flags to walk away from.
- [How do I turn a move-out inspection into a scope of work and a budget for the turn?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/move-out-inspection-to-turn-scope-of-work): How to turn a move-out inspection into a priced scope of work for the turn: what to record, how to sort damage from wear, and who gets which job.
- [How do I estimate the make-ready cost per unit for my rentals?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/make-ready-cost-per-unit-how-to-budget): How to estimate the make-ready cost of a rental unit from your own turn history: line items, a worked example, and when a turn costs more than usual.
- [Do landlords have to give tenants a rent receipt, and what should it say?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-receipts-do-landlords-have-to-give-them): When a landlord must give a rent receipt, what it should say, how New York treats cash and checks, and how to keep receipts for bank transfer or Zelle rent.
- [How often should a landlord test the smoke alarms in a rental, and who replaces the batteries?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/smoke-alarm-testing-schedule-landlord-battery-who-replaces): How often to test smoke alarms in a rental, who replaces the battery, when alarms expire, and how to document each check so you can prove it.
- [What counts as an emergency repair, and how fast should a landlord respond to each kind?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/what-counts-as-emergency-repair-urgent-routine-response-times): A three-level system to sort tenant repair requests, with example response times, questions to ask the tenant and what to do when you cannot tell.
- [What should a landlord do in the first 24 hours after a water leak in a rental?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/water-leak-first-24-hours-rental-landlord): What a landlord should do in the first 24 hours of a water leak: stop the water, document, dry, call the right people, and tell tenants and your insurer.
- [What should a landlord record in a maintenance log for each rental unit?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/maintenance-log-what-to-record-rental-property): The fields a rental maintenance log needs, how to keep one per unit, and how it helps with repairs, taxes, disputes and selling the building.
- [Who is responsible for cleaning the dryer vent in a rental, and how often should it be done?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/dryer-vent-cleaning-rental-who-is-responsible): Why dryer vents matter in rentals, how often owners commonly clean them, how to split lint duties between landlord and tenant, and what to document.
- [How do I set an annual maintenance budget per unit for my rentals?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/annual-maintenance-budget-per-unit-rental): How to set a yearly repair and maintenance budget per rental unit from your own books, with a worked example, and how it differs from capital reserves.
- [How can a tenant with no bank account pay rent, and what should a landlord accept?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-has-no-bank-account-how-to-pay-rent): A tenant with no bank account can still pay rent on time. Here are the options landlords use, what each one costs you in risk, and how to record them.
- [A check for more than the rent arrived and the sender wants the difference back: is it a scam?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/fake-cashiers-check-rent-overpayment-scam): A "tenant" or deposit payer sends a check for more than owed and asks for the extra back. How the fake check scam works on landlords, and how to stay safe.
- [Can a landlord require tenants to pay rent by automatic bank debit (autopay)?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/can-landlord-require-autopay-for-rent): Can you make tenants set up automatic bank payments for rent? What federal rules say about written authorization, copies, and why a choice is safer.
- [Can a tenant get an ACH rent payment reversed after the money has reached my account?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-disputes-ach-rent-payment-60-days): A tenant says an ACH rent payment was not authorized and asks their bank to take it back. The 60 day rule, what the bank must do, and how to protect yourself.
- [Can I waive a late fee for one tenant and charge it to another?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/waive-late-fee-for-one-tenant-fair-housing): Waiving a late fee for one tenant and not another can look like unequal treatment. A simple rule for when to waive, how to write it down, and why it helps.
- [Do landlords have to change or rekey the locks between tenants?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rekey-locks-between-tenants-required): Must a landlord rekey or change locks when a tenant moves out? What Texas requires, what most states leave open, and a low cost turnover routine.
- [What can a landlord do when a tenant refuses to let them in to make a repair?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-refuses-landlord-entry-for-repairs): A tenant keeps putting off a repair visit. What a landlord can do, what Florida's access statute says, and how to document each step before you escalate.
- [Does a tenant have to submit a repair request in writing before the landlord must fix it?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-repair-request-written-notice-required): Does a tenant have to put a repair request in writing before a landlord must act? What Texas says, why you should ask for it anyway, and how to record calls.
- [Who pays for a clogged toilet or drain in a rental, the landlord or the tenant?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/clogged-toilet-drain-landlord-or-tenant-pays): Who pays when a toilet or drain clogs in a rental? How to tell tenant caused from building caused, what Florida and Texas say, and how to record the call.
- [Can a landlord bill a tenant for damage caused during the lease, instead of waiting until move out?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/bill-tenant-for-damage-during-lease-not-move-out): A tenant breaks something mid lease. Can you bill them right away or wait for move out? A step by step way to document, invoice and keep it fair.
- [What should a landlord tell tenants when the property is sold or management changes, and where to send rent?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/new-landlord-notice-to-tenants-where-to-send-rent): When a rental is sold or management changes, tenants need to know who to pay and who to call. What to put in the notice, with Florida's disclosure rule.
- [Do fair housing rules require landlords to respond to maintenance requests the same way for every tenant?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/fair-housing-same-maintenance-response-all-tenants): Fair housing covers repairs, not just rentals. How landlords can respond to maintenance fairly, with a priority system, a log, and one response standard.
- [Does a California landlord have to give a translated lease when the tenant negotiates in Spanish or another language?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/california-lease-translation-spanish-chinese-tenants): California requires a translated lease if it is negotiated in Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese or Korean. What Civil Code 1632 asks for.
- [Arizona landlord repair laws: written notice, ten days and a capped repair-and-deduct right](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/arizona-landlord-repair-laws): Arizona repair rules under A.R.S. 33-1363: written notice, 10 days to comply, and repair and deduct up to the greater of $300 or half the monthly rent.
- [Washington landlord repair laws: three deadlines, repair and deduct caps and a retaliation ban](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/washington-landlord-repair-laws): Washington repair deadlines under RCW 59.18.070 and 59.18.100: 24 hours, 72 hours or 10 days, tenant repair and deduct caps and the retaliation ban.
- [Ohio landlord repair laws: written notice, a 30-day outer limit and rent paid to the court](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ohio-landlord-repair-laws): Ohio repair rules under R.C. 5321.07 and 5321.02: written notice, up to 30 days, depositing rent with the clerk of court and the retaliation ban.
- [Virginia landlord repair laws: written notice, a 21-day cure and a retaliation rule that changes in 2027](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/virginia-landlord-repair-laws): Virginia repair rules under Va. Code 55.1-1234 and 55.1-1258: written notice, a 21-day cure, 30-day termination, damages, fees and retaliation.
- [South Carolina landlord repair laws: a 14-day notice and no repair and deduct](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/south-carolina-landlord-repair-laws): South Carolina repair rules under 27-40-440, 27-40-610 and 27-40-630: fit and habitable duties, 14 days to fix, and no repair and deduct.
- [Nebraska landlord repair laws: written notice and three remedies for lost essential services](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/nebraska-landlord-repair-laws): Nebraska essential-service remedies under Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1427: written notice, buying water or heat and deducting, or substitute housing.
- [Rhode Island landlord repair laws: reasonable notice and a choice of three remedies](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rhode-island-landlord-repair-laws): Rhode Island essential-service remedies under R.I. Gen. Laws 34-18-31: reasonable notice, deducting the cost of services, damages or substitute housing.
- [Kansas landlord repair laws: the duties, the 30-day termination notice and the 14-day repair start](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/kansas-landlord-repair-laws): Kansas repair rules under K.S.A. 58-2553 and 58-2559: code, utility and appliance duties, 30-day termination, a 14-day repair start and damages.
- [Iowa landlord repair laws: a seven-day notice, a six-month recurrence rule and willful-breach fees](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/iowa-landlord-repair-laws): Iowa repair rules under Iowa Code 562A.21: written notice, seven days to cure, a six-month recurrence rule, damages, injunction and attorney fees.
- [Minnesota landlord repair laws: duties that cannot be waived and a 90-day retaliation presumption](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/minnesota-landlord-repair-laws): Minnesota repair duties under Minn. Stat. 504B.161: fitness, repair, pest control, 68 degree heat, non-waivable covenants and the 90-day retaliation rule.
- [Lease renewal email templates you can copy](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/lease-renewal-email-templates-landlord): Copy-ready lease renewal emails for four cases: same rent, a rent increase, a month-to-month option and a reminder. Fill in the blanks and send.
- [Tenant retention ideas for small landlords](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-retention-ideas-small-landlords): Practical ways small landlords keep good tenants longer: fast repairs, clear communication, fair renewals and small gestures. No gimmicks.
- [The cost of tenant turnover, line by line](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/cost-of-tenant-turnover-what-it-includes): What a tenant moving out really costs a landlord: vacancy, cleaning, repairs, marketing, screening and more. A worksheet to find your own number.
- [Rent increase or vacancy: a break-even method](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-increase-vs-vacancy-break-even): Should you raise rent and risk the tenant leaving? Compare the extra rent to the cost of a vacancy with one simple break-even calculation.
- [How to tell a tenant the rent is going up](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-tell-tenant-rent-is-going-up): How to deliver a rent increase so the tenant stays: lead with the number, give a reason, offer time to reply and put it in writing. With a script.
- [A tenant says they will not renew: what to do next](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-not-renewing-what-landlord-does-next): A tenant told you they are leaving. Confirm it in writing, set the move-out date, plan the walkthrough and start marketing the unit right away.
- [Move-out letter to a tenant: a template](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/landlord-move-out-letter-to-tenant-template): A move-out letter a landlord can send after a tenant gives notice: dates, keys, cleaning, forwarding address and the deposit timeline. Copy and adapt.
- [Tenant communication: five habits for landlords](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-communication-best-practices-landlords): How to talk with tenants: pick the right channel, set a response time, keep it in writing and stay polite. A short guide for self-managing landlords.
- [How to respond to a tenant complaint, step by step](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-respond-to-tenant-complaint-step-by-step): A repeatable way to handle any tenant complaint: acknowledge, record, find the cause, fix or explain, follow up. Includes a reply you can adapt.
- [Annual rental inspection: giving notice and what to check](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/annual-rental-inspection-notice-and-checklist): How to run an annual inspection of an occupied rental: give proper notice, follow a short checklist, record findings and keep the visit respectful.
- [Tenant satisfaction survey questions for landlords](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-satisfaction-survey-questions-landlord): A short tenant survey a small landlord can send: what to ask, when to send it, how to use the answers and which questions to leave out.
- [Renewal incentives for tenants: when they are worth it](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/renewal-incentives-for-tenants-worth-it): Free rent, small upgrades or a rent freeze: how to decide whether a renewal incentive costs less than a vacancy, and how to offer one fairly.
- [How can a landlord connect QuickBooks or Xero to rental software safely?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/connect-quickbooks-xero-rental-software-safely): How a landlord can connect QuickBooks or Xero to rental software safely: what the permission screen grants, who should connect it and how to disconnect.
- [What is a read-only bank connection, and is it safe for a landlord?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/read-only-bank-connection-explained-landlords): What a read-only bank connection lets rental software do, what it cannot do, how to see who has one and how to cancel it, in plain terms for landlords.
- [What is the safest way for a landlord to share rental books with a CPA?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/share-rental-books-with-cpa-safely): Safer ways for a landlord to send books, bank files and tenant data to a CPA: invite them to the books, use a secure portal, and avoid email attachments.
- [How can a landlord tell whether a Zelle payment screenshot is real?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/fake-zelle-payment-screenshot-landlord-scam): A tenant or applicant shows a Zelle screenshot as proof of payment. How landlords check that the money arrived, and what to do when it did not.
- [How should a landlord verify who is asking before sharing tenant information?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/verify-caller-is-tenant-before-sharing-information): A landlord's guide to checking that a caller or email really is the tenant, or an authorized person, before sharing lease details, balances or door codes.
- [What should a landlord do right after losing a phone that runs their rentals?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/lost-stolen-phone-landlord-accounts-what-to-do): What a landlord should do in the first hour after losing a phone that holds rent apps, bank logins, lock codes and tenant texts, in order.
- [How does a landlord find and remove apps that can read their email account?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/review-remove-connected-apps-google-microsoft-landlord): How a landlord can review which apps can read their Google or Microsoft account, remove the ones they no longer use and keep rental email safer.
- [How can a landlord share rental financials with co-owners without sharing logins?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/share-rental-financials-with-co-owners-without-logins): How to give partners and co-owners the numbers they need, such as statements and distributions, without handing out your logins or bank access.
- [What records should a rental LLC keep to show it is separate from its owner?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-llc-records-to-keep-separate-from-owner): The records a landlord's rental LLC should keep that show it runs as its own business: bank statements, agreements, books and a clear paper trail.
- [What tenant information should a landlord share with a repair vendor?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/what-tenant-information-to-share-with-vendors): A landlord's guide to what a plumber, locksmith or painter needs to know about a tenant, and what to keep private, so work gets done without oversharing.
- [Does a small landlord need cyber insurance?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/cyber-insurance-small-landlord-do-you-need-it): What cyber insurance covers for a small landlord, how it differs from property and liability policies, and what to ask before you buy it.
- [How can a landlord reduce the tenant data they hold?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/reduce-tenant-data-landlord-holds-data-minimization): A practical plan for a landlord to find where tenant data is stored, remove what is no longer needed and collect less at the start.
- [How should a landlord handle an applicant's Social Security number?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ssn-rental-application-store-safely): How a landlord can collect, store and get rid of an applicant's Social Security number safely, with steps that match the FTC's advice for businesses.
- [How long should a landlord keep rental applications?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-long-keep-rental-applications): No single federal rule sets how long a landlord keeps rental applications. Here is how to pick a period that covers fair housing claims and privacy duties.
- [What must a landlord's adverse action notice say?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/adverse-action-notice-landlord-fcra): If a credit report led you to deny an applicant or ask for more deposit, the FCRA requires an adverse action notice. See what it must say and when to send it.
- [Does a landlord need permission to run a tenant's credit check?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/landlord-credit-check-permissible-purpose-consent): The FCRA lets a landlord pull a report only for a permissible purpose. See when you qualify, why to get written consent anyway, and what to avoid.
- [How do you write tenant screening criteria that are fair and consistent?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/written-tenant-screening-criteria-fair-housing): Write your tenant screening criteria before you list, apply them to every applicant and record each decision. A step-by-step fair housing template.
- [What are the protected classes under the Fair Housing Act?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/fair-housing-protected-classes-landlords): The Fair Housing Act protects seven classes. See what each covers, which landlords are exempt, and the extra classes many states and cities add.
- [What should a landlord do when a fair housing complaint is filed?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/fair-housing-complaint-against-landlord-what-to-do): A HUD or state fair housing complaint names you as a landlord. Here is what happens next, what to keep and what never to do, in order.
- [When does a landlord have to withhold 24% from a contractor's pay?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/backup-withholding-24-percent-landlord-contractors): If a contractor does not give you a Form W-9 or the IRS says the TIN is wrong, you may have to withhold 24%. Here is when, how and where it goes.
- [How can a landlord check that a contractor's TIN is correct?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tin-matching-contractor-w9-landlords): A W-9 can have the wrong name or number. Learn how to check a contractor's TIN with the IRS and what to do when it does not match.
- [What should a landlord do when scammers copy a rental listing?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-listing-hijack-scam-landlord-response): Scammers copy a real landlord's photos and post a cheaper fake listing to collect deposits. See how to spot it, get it removed and protect your tenants.
- [How can a landlord tell if a pay stub is fake?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/fake-pay-stubs-rental-applicants-how-to-check): Check the math, the year-to-date totals, the employer and the deposits before you rely on a pay stub. A fair, same-for-everyone way to verify income.
- [Which accounts should a landlord protect with two-factor sign-in?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/two-factor-authentication-landlords-accounts): Turn on two-factor sign-in on your email first, then your bank and property software. Which kind to pick, and what to do when you lose your phone.
- [How can a landlord share logins with a helper without sharing passwords?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/password-manager-landlord-shared-logins): How a landlord with a helper or bookkeeper can share logins safely: a password manager, one login per person, two-factor codes and a clean way to remove access.
- [How should a landlord manage smart lock codes and access logs in a rental?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/smart-lock-codes-rental-security-privacy): Smart locks help landlords with turns and vendor access, but codes, logs and tenant privacy need rules. Here is how to run them safely in a rental.
- [How does the fake check overpayment scam work on landlords?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/fake-check-overpayment-scam-landlords): A prospect sends a check for too much and asks for the difference back. The check is fake. Here is how the scam works and how a landlord avoids the loss.
- [How can a landlord protect a rental property from deed fraud?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/deed-fraud-landlord-property-title-theft): Deed fraud means a forged deed transfers your property to someone else. Here is how it happens to landlords and the steps that help catch it early.
- [How can a landlord spot a fake ID or a made-up rental applicant?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/fake-id-synthetic-identity-rental-applicants): Some rental applicants use fake IDs, stolen identities or invented people. Here are the checks that catch them without treating honest applicants unfairly.
- [How can a landlord share documents with tenants securely?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/secure-document-sharing-tenants-landlord): Emailing leases, IDs and notices is easy but leaks data. Here is how a landlord can share documents with tenants through secure links and keep clean records.
- [How can a landlord give a bookkeeper access without giving up control?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/give-bookkeeper-limited-access-rental-accounts): A bookkeeper needs your numbers but not your bank password. Here is how to give read-only or limited access to rental accounts and keep control of money.
- [What should a landlord shut off when a helper stops working for them?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/remove-helper-access-when-they-leave-landlord): A checklist for a landlord when a property helper, manager or handyman stops working for you: accounts, codes, keys, mail and the tenant message.
- [How can a small landlord protect rental records from ransomware?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ransomware-backups-small-landlord): Ransomware locks files until you pay. A small landlord can prepare with backups, updates and two-factor sign-in. Here is a plain plan and what to do if hit.
- [Does a landlord have to rekey the locks between tenants?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rekey-locks-between-tenants-key-control): Should a landlord rekey locks at every turn? Some states require it. Here is how rekeying works, what it costs in time and how to track keys and copies.
- [How can a landlord tell a real contractor from a scam before paying?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/verify-contractor-before-paying-landlord-scam): Storm chasers and fake vendors target landlords with big upfront payments. Here are the checks to run before you pay a contractor you do not know.
- [What should a landlord do if their email is hacked or they clicked a phishing link?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/landlord-email-hacked-phishing-what-to-do): If a scammer gets into your landlord email, they can reroute rent and read tenant data. Here is how to spot phishing and what to do in the first hour.
- [How to serve a notice on a tenant in Arizona: hand it over or send it certified, and count five days for the mail](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/arizona-how-to-serve-notice-to-tenant): Serving a tenant notice in Arizona: in-hand or certified mail under A.R.S. 33-1313, the five-day mail presumption, and the dates for 5-day and 10-day notices.
- [How to serve a notice on a tenant in Florida: four methods, one signed e-mail addendum and a three-day count that skips weekends](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/florida-how-to-serve-notice-to-tenant): Serving a tenant notice in Florida under s. 83.56(4): mail, hand delivery, leaving a copy if the tenant is absent, and e-mail only with the s. 83.505 addendum.
- [How to serve a notice on a tenant in Nevada: who may serve it, the three methods and the proof a court wants](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/nevada-how-to-serve-notice-to-tenant): Serving an eviction notice in Nevada under NRS 40.280: who may serve, personal delivery, leaving a copy plus mail, posting, and the proof filed in court.
- [How to serve a notice on a tenant in Virginia: the place of service, the electronic option and the 14-day count](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/virginia-how-to-serve-notice-to-tenant): Serving a tenant notice in Virginia: where it is served under 55.1-1202, electronic notices only if the lease says so, proof of delivery, and the 14-day count.
- [How to serve a notice to vacate in Texas: four listed methods, the actual-receipt rule and the three-day default](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/texas-how-to-serve-notice-to-tenant): Serving a notice to vacate in Texas under Prop. Code 24.005(f-3): mail, delivery inside the premises, hand delivery to a tenant 16 or older, and e-mail.
- [How to serve a three-day notice on a tenant in Ohio: three methods and one sentence that has to be on the notice](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ohio-how-to-serve-notice-to-tenant): Serving a three-day notice in Ohio under R.C. 1923.04: certified mail, in-person delivery, or leaving it at the home, plus the required warning sentence.
- [How to serve the 14-day nonpayment notice in Minnesota: deliver in person or mail first class, with six required items](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/minnesota-how-to-serve-notice-to-tenant): Serving the 14-day nonpayment notice in Minnesota: personal delivery or first class mail to the unit under 504B.321, and what the notice must state.
- [How to serve a notice on a tenant in Oregon: four methods, three extra days for mail and a day-counting rule](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/oregon-how-to-serve-notice-to-tenant): Serving a tenant notice in Oregon under ORS 90.155: personal delivery, first class mail with three extra days, mail plus attachment, and e-mail by addendum.
- [How to serve a notice on a tenant in Washington: three tiers of service and a 14-day pay or vacate clock](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/washington-how-to-serve-notice-to-tenant): Serving a tenant notice in Washington under RCW 59.12.040: personal delivery, leaving a copy plus mail, or posting plus mail, with the 14-day rent count.
- [How to serve a demand for possession in Michigan: four methods, a mail rule that fixes the service date and a seven-day count](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/michigan-how-to-serve-notice-to-tenant): Serving a demand for possession in Michigan under MCL 600.5718: personal delivery, delivery to a household member, first class mail, and e-service by consent.
- [Free property management software for landlords: what the free plans actually cover](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/free-property-management-software-landlords-what-free-plans-cover): What free property management software for landlords includes, where the paid line sits and who pays the per-payment fees, from each company's own pricing page.
- [Free vs paid rent collection apps: who pays what on each payment](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/free-vs-paid-rent-collection-apps-landlords-who-pays): Compare rent collection apps by the fee on each payment, who pays it and what a year costs for 8 tenants, using published fees from each company.
- [Per unit, flat fee or tiered: how landlord software prices work and how to compare them](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/landlord-software-pricing-models-per-unit-flat-fee-percent-of-rent): Per-unit, flat monthly, tiered by unit count or percent of rent: how each landlord software pricing model works, where it breaks and how to compare.
- [Hidden fees in property management software: the questions to ask before you sign](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/property-management-software-hidden-fees-questions-before-you-sign): The fees landlord software pricing pages bury: minimums, onboarding, bank-account fees, return fees and auto-renewing terms, with a question list to use.
- [How to test landlord software in a free trial with your own data](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/test-landlord-software-free-trial-checklist-real-data): How to test property management software in a free trial with two real units: load data, post a payment, run a report and try export, then decide.
- [What to ask in a property management software demo](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/questions-to-ask-in-property-management-software-demo): Fifteen questions for a property management software demo: pricing, data, taxes, payments, support and exit, with what a clear answer sounds like.
- [Signs you have outgrown your landlord software, and how to decide whether to switch](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/signs-you-have-outgrown-your-landlord-software): Seven signs your landlord software no longer fits, from spreadsheets running beside it to unexplained fees, and how to decide whether to switch.
- [When to switch landlord software: which month, which day, and what to check first](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/best-month-to-switch-property-management-software): The right day to switch property management software: a month end, away from tax deadlines and renewals, with a calendar and dates to check first.
- [How to clean a tenant ledger spreadsheet before moving it into software](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/clean-tenant-ledger-spreadsheet-before-moving-to-software): How to clean a tenant ledger spreadsheet before you move to software: one row per charge or payment, one date format and a running balance that ties out.
- [Opening balances and security deposits: what to carry over when you switch landlord software](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/opening-balances-and-deposits-when-switching-landlord-software): How to carry tenant balances and security deposits into new landlord software: pick a cutover date, set opening balances and keep deposits as a liability.
- [What to export from your landlord software before you cancel](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/export-data-before-cancelling-landlord-software-what-to-ask-for): What to export from your landlord software before you cancel: ledgers, rent roll, deposits, vendor tax details and documents, and what to ask the company.
- [One landlord platform or separate apps for rent, banking, books and screening?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/all-in-one-landlord-software-vs-separate-apps): Compare one landlord platform against separate apps for rent, banking, bookkeeping and screening: costs, data re-entry and what each setup suits.
- [Texas landlord entry notice: no statute sets the hours, so your lease does](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/texas-landlord-entry-notice-no-statute): Texas Property Code Chapter 92 sets no number of hours or days of notice before a landlord enters, so your lease controls. What to write in it.
- [Pennsylvania notice to quit: 10 days for unpaid rent, 15 or 30 days otherwise](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/pennsylvania-notice-to-quit-landlord-rules): A Pennsylvania notice to quit gives 10 days for unpaid rent and 15 or 30 days when a lease ends. What section 501 says and how to serve it.
- [Michigan month-to-month notice: one rent period, and 7 days for unpaid rent](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/michigan-month-to-month-notice-to-quit-landlord): Michigan month-to-month tenancies end with one rent period's notice, and unpaid rent gets a 7-day demand for possession. MCL 554.134 explained.
- [Missouri month-to-month notice: one month, and no waiting period for unpaid rent](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/missouri-month-to-month-notice-landlord-rules): Missouri month-to-month tenancies end on a rent day at least one month after written notice is received. No waiting period for unpaid rent suits.
- [Massachusetts notice to quit: 14 days for rent, 30 days or one rent period at will](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/massachusetts-notice-to-quit-landlord-rules): Massachusetts notice to quit: 14 days for unpaid rent with a required right-to-cure sentence, and 30 days or one rent period for a tenancy at will.
- [Maryland notice to vacate: 60 days for landlords, 30 for tenants, 10 for unpaid rent](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/maryland-notice-to-vacate-landlord-rules): Maryland landlords give 60 days to end a month-to-month tenancy, tenants give 30, and unpaid rent gets a 10-day notice on the court form.
- [Colorado notice to vacate: 10 days to pay or leave, and 21 days from a tenant](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/colorado-notice-to-vacate-landlord-rules): Colorado unpaid rent gets a 10-day written notice to pay or leave that a lease cannot waive, and tenants give 21 days to end a short tenancy.
- [Minnesota landlord entry notice: 24 hours, a time window, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/minnesota-landlord-entry-notice-24-hours): Minnesota landlords give a good-faith notice at least 24 hours ahead, naming a time window between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Minn. Stat. 504B.211 explained.
- [South Carolina landlord entry notice: 24 hours, with exceptions for services](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/south-carolina-landlord-entry-notice-24-hours): South Carolina landlords give at least 24 hours' notice to enter at reasonable times, with set exceptions for emergencies and scheduled services.
- [Alabama security deposit laws: one month cap and 60 days to return it](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/alabama-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Alabama caps deposits at one month of rent, with exceptions, and gives you 60 days to return it. A late or missing list can cost double.
- [Louisiana security deposit laws: no cap, one month to return it](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/louisiana-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Louisiana sets no cap on deposits and requires the refund with an itemized statement within one month. Willful failure can cost $300 or double.
- [Oregon landlord entry notice: 24 hours of actual notice, at reasonable times](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/oregon-landlord-entry-notice-24-hours): Oregon landlords give at least 24 hours' actual notice and enter at reasonable times, with exceptions for emergencies and requested repairs.
- [Arizona security deposit laws for landlords: 1.5 months and 14 business days](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/arizona-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Arizona caps deposits and prepaid rent at 1.5 months and gives you 14 business days after the tenant asks. A.R.S. 33-1321, with penalties.
- [Colorado security deposit laws for landlords: the two month cap, exact reasons and treble damages](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/colorado-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Colorado caps a deposit at two months, requires an itemized statement in 30 days and awards treble damages for wrongful withholding. C.R.S. 38-12-103.
- [Massachusetts security deposit laws for landlords: the separate account, yearly interest and triple damages](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/massachusetts-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Massachusetts needs a separate bank account, a receipt, yearly interest and a return in 30 days, with triple damages if you slip. Chapter 186 15B.
- [Michigan security deposit laws for landlords: the move-in notice, the damages notice and the 45 day rule](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/michigan-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Michigan caps deposits at 1.5 months, requires a notice within 14 days of move-in and a damages notice in 30 days, with double damages if you slip.
- [North Carolina security deposit laws for landlords: a cap that depends on the lease, and a 30 then 60 day accounting](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/north-carolina-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): North Carolina ties the deposit cap to the lease type, requires a trust account or bond and allows 30 days, with an interim and final accounting.
- [New Jersey security deposit laws for landlords: 1.5 months, an interest account and double damages](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/new-jersey-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): New Jersey caps a deposit at 1.5 months, requires an interest bearing account with notices, and awards double damages for a late return. Rules and example.
- [New York security deposit laws for landlords: one month, a trust account and 14 days](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/new-york-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): New York caps a deposit at one month, requires a trust account and gives you 14 days after move-out. GOL 7-103 and 7-108 explained.
- [Ohio security deposit laws for landlords: no cap, interest on the excess and a 30 day notice](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ohio-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Ohio has no deposit cap, but any deposit above one month pays 5% interest after six months, and a late itemized notice can mean double damages.
- [Pennsylvania security deposit laws for landlords: two months, then one, and interest after year two](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/pennsylvania-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Pennsylvania caps deposits at two months in year one and one month after, adds interest from year two and requires a damages list in 30 days.
- [Texas security deposit laws for landlords: the 30 day clock and the bad faith presumption](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/texas-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Texas gives you 30 days to refund a deposit or send an itemized list, and a late answer is presumed bad faith. Rules, penalties and an example.
- [Virginia security deposit laws for landlords: the 45 day window, the move-out inspection and a two year record](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/virginia-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Virginia allows up to two months of rent as a deposit and gives you 45 days to itemize and refund, with inspection and records rules. Va. Code 55.1-1226.
- [How to evict a tenant in Texas: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-texas): Texas eviction steps for landlords: the 3-day notice to vacate, the justice court case, the 6-day wait for a writ, and what never to do.
- [How to evict a tenant in California: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-california): California eviction steps: the 3-day notice that skips weekends and court holidays, AB 1482 just cause, the 10 court day response, and the sheriff.
- [How to evict a tenant in Ohio: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-ohio): Ohio eviction steps: the 3-day notice with the required wording, the forcible entry and detainer case, the writ of execution, and banned self-help.
- [How to evict a tenant in North Carolina: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-north-carolina): North Carolina eviction steps: the 10-day rent demand, summary ejectment before a magistrate, the paying-before-judgment rule, and the sheriff.
- [How to evict a tenant in Arizona for unpaid rent, and how fast it moves](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-arizona-for-unpaid-rent): Arizona unpaid rent eviction: the 5-day notice, special detainer in 3 to 6 days, reinstatement rules, the 5-day writ wait, and illegal lockouts.
- [How to evict a tenant in Pennsylvania: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-pennsylvania): Pennsylvania eviction steps: the 10-day notice to quit for rent, the magisterial district judge hearing, the writ of possession, and the 11-day wait.
- [How to evict a tenant in Michigan: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-michigan): Michigan eviction steps: the 7-day demand for possession, summary proceedings in district court, the 10-day wait for the writ, and lockout damages.
- [How to evict a tenant in New York: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-new-york): New York nonpayment eviction: the 14-day rent demand, the RPAPL petition, the 14-day warrant notice, and the unlawful eviction crime.
- [How to evict a tenant in New Jersey: the Anti-Eviction Act, step by step](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-new-jersey): New Jersey eviction steps under the Anti-Eviction Act: good cause grounds, which notices you need, the 3 business day rent payment right, and lockouts.
- [How to evict a tenant in Georgia: the dispossessory process](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-georgia): Georgia dispossessory steps: demand for possession, the 3 business day rent notice, the 7-day answer, the tender defense, and the writ of possession.
- [How to evict a tenant in Illinois: notices, court and the sheriff](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-illinois): Illinois eviction steps: the 5-day rent notice, the 10-day lease breach notice, the eviction order, and why only the sheriff can carry it out.
- [How to evict a tenant in Indiana: from notice to sealing](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-indiana): Indiana eviction steps: when notice is needed, filing in small claims court, the court order the sheriff needs, dismissal and sealing rules, and self-help.
- [How to evict a tenant in Missouri for unpaid rent: the rent and possession case](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-missouri): Missouri rent and possession case: no waiting period after a rent demand, a verified statement, a hearing within 21 business days, and a 5-day execution.
- [How to evict a tenant in Tennessee (URLTA counties): notice, detainer warrant and sheriff](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-tennessee): Tennessee eviction steps in URLTA counties: the 14-day notice, the cure right, detainer warrants, the 10-day wait for the sheriff, and banned lockouts.
- [California security deposit laws for landlords: the one month cap, 21 days and photo proof](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/california-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): California caps deposits at one month since July 2024, gives you 21 days after move-out and requires receipts and photos. Civil Code 1950.5 explained.
- [Georgia security deposit laws for landlords: escrow for larger owners, the move-out list and treble damages](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/georgia-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Georgia has a two month cap, a 30 day return deadline and escrow rules for landlords with more than ten units or an agent. What the state handbook says.
- [Illinois security deposit laws for landlords, with a section on Chicago's RLTO](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/illinois-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Illinois sets no deposit cap, but buildings of five or more units owe a 45 day return and a 30 day damages list, and Chicago adds its RLTO rules.
- [Maryland security deposit laws for landlords: the one month cap, the interest formula and treble damages](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/maryland-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Maryland caps a deposit at one month, requires interest after six months and gives you 45 days, with treble damages. RP 8-203 for landlords.
- [Minnesota security deposit laws for landlords: three weeks, 1% interest and the $500 bad faith penalty](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/minnesota-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Minnesota gives you three weeks after move-out, requires 1% interest and can add a $500 bad faith penalty. Minn. Stat. 504B.178 explained.
- [Missouri security deposit laws for landlords: two months, 30 days and double damages](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/missouri-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Missouri caps a deposit at two months, gives you 30 days after the tenancy ends and awards twice the amount wrongly withheld. RSMo 535.300 explained.
- [Nevada security deposit laws for landlords: the three month ceiling and the double damages clause](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/nevada-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Nevada caps deposits, last month and surety bonds at 3 months combined, gives you 30 days and can award double. NRS 118A.242 explained.
- [Oregon security deposit laws for landlords: the receipt, the first year freeze and the 31 day accounting](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/oregon-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Oregon requires a receipt, bars deposit increases in the first year and gives you 31 days for a written accounting. ORS 90.300 with penalties.
- [South Carolina security deposit laws for landlords: the demand trigger and triple damages](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/south-carolina-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): South Carolina gives you 30 days after move-out and the tenant's demand, and a missed notice can cost three times the amount withheld. SC Code 27-40-410.
- [Washington security deposit laws for landlords: no checklist, no deposit](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/washington-security-deposit-laws-for-landlords): Washington requires a signed move-in checklist before you collect a deposit and a documented statement in 30 days. RCW 59.18.260 and 59.18.280.
- [Texas late fee laws for rent: cap, grace period and notice](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/texas-rent-late-fee-law): Texas late fee rules for rent under Property Code 92.019: the two-day wait, the 12 and 10 percent safe harbors, daily fees and penalties.
- [New York late fee laws for rent: the $50 or 5 percent cap](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/new-york-rent-late-fee-law): New York Real Property Law 238-a: the $50 or 5 percent cap, the five-day wait, co-op rules, bounced check fees and what voids a lease clause.
- [Oregon late fee laws for rent: three formulas to choose from](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/oregon-rent-late-fee-law): Oregon ORS 90.260 lets a landlord pick one of three late fee formulas: flat, daily or 5 percent per five days. Timing, lease terms and limits.
- [Colorado late fee laws for rent: seven days, $50 or 5 percent](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/colorado-rent-late-fee-law): Colorado C.R.S. 38-12-105 sets the late fee ceiling at the greater of $50 or 5 percent, a seven-day wait, a 180-day notice window and tenant penalties.
- [Nevada late fee laws for rent: 5 percent, three days, no stacking](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/nevada-rent-late-fee-law): Nevada caps a rent late fee at 5 percent of periodic rent, bars it for the first 3 calendar days, and forbids raising the maximum after a prior fee.
- [Maryland late fee laws for rent: the 5 percent limit](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/maryland-rent-late-fee-law): Maryland Real Property 8-208(d) caps a rent late penalty at 5 percent of the unpaid rent, or $3 a week for weekly tenancies. No statutory grace period.
- [Maine late fee laws for rent: a 15-day wait and a 4 percent cap](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/maine-rent-late-fee-law): Maine 14 MRSA 6028 treats rent as late only after 15 days, caps the penalty at 4 percent of a month's rent, and requires written notice at move-in.
- [Massachusetts late fee laws for rent: nothing until day 30](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/massachusetts-rent-late-fee-law): Massachusetts G.L. c.186 s.15B(1)(c) bars any interest or penalty for late rent until 30 days after it was due. What that means for lease late fees.
- [Minnesota late fee laws for rent: 8 percent of the overdue payment](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/minnesota-rent-late-fee-law): Minnesota 504B.177 caps a rent late fee at 8 percent of the overdue payment, requires a written agreement saying when it applies, with no set grace period.
- [Washington late fee laws for rent: five days, then payments go to rent first](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/washington-rent-late-fee-law): Washington RCW 59.18.170 bars late fees for rent paid within five days of the due date, and RCW 59.18.283 makes you apply payments to rent first.
- [Virginia late fee laws for rent: 10 percent of the smaller number](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/virginia-rent-late-fee-law): Virginia Code 55.1-1204(E) caps a late charge at the lesser of 10 percent of the periodic rent or of the balance owed, and it must be in a written lease.
- [North Carolina late fee laws for rent: $15 or 5 percent, once](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/north-carolina-rent-late-fee-law): North Carolina G.S. 42-46 allows a late fee of $15 or 5 percent of rent, whichever is greater, once rent is five days late, charged one time only.
- [Iowa late fee laws for rent: daily limits and a monthly ceiling](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/iowa-rent-late-fee-law): Iowa Code 562A.9(4) caps rent late fees at $12 a day and $60 a month on rent up to $700, and $20 a day and $100 a month above that.
- [How to evict a tenant in Washington: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-washington): Washington eviction steps for landlords: the 14-day pay or vacate notice, just cause rules, the show cause hearing, and what never to do.
- [How to evict a tenant in Virginia: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-virginia): Virginia eviction steps for landlords: the 14-day pay or quit notice, the 21 and 30 day breach notices, the unlawful detainer case, and the writ.
- [How to evict a tenant in South Carolina: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-south-carolina): South Carolina eviction steps for landlords: the 5-day rent notice in the lease, the magistrate rule to show cause, 10 days to respond, and the writ.
- [How to evict a tenant in Oregon: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-oregon): Oregon eviction steps for landlords: the 10-day and 13-day nonpayment notices, the 72-hour weekly notice, the court timeline, and the notice of restitution.
- [How to evict a tenant in Nevada: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-nevada): Nevada eviction steps for landlords: the 7 judicial day pay or surrender notice, the tenant affidavit, the summary eviction order, and what is illegal.
- [How to evict a tenant in Minnesota: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-minnesota): Minnesota eviction steps for landlords: the required 14-day nonpayment notice, the 7 to 14 day court date, the right to redeem, and the writ.
- [How to evict a tenant in Colorado: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-colorado): Colorado eviction steps for landlords: the 10-day demand for compliance or possession, the 7 to 14 day summons, the answer, and the 10-day writ wait.
- [How to evict a tenant in Maryland: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-maryland): Maryland eviction steps for landlords: the 10-day notice of intent to file, the District Court trial on day 5, the 7-day warrant wait, and redemption.
- [How to evict a tenant in Massachusetts: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-massachusetts): Massachusetts eviction steps for landlords: the 14-day notice to quit, summary process, the 48-hour execution notice, and what is a crime.
- [How to evict a tenant in Idaho: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-idaho): Idaho eviction steps for landlords: the 3-day notice, the court trial within 12 days of filing, the 72 hours to remove belongings, and the writ.
- [Arizona late fee laws for rent: reasonable, written and tied to the five-day notice](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/arizona-rent-late-fee-law): Arizona late fee rules under A.R.S. 33-1368: the fee must be reasonable and written in the lease, the five-day notice and reinstating.
- [Delaware late fee laws for rent: the 5 percent cap and five-day wait](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/delaware-rent-late-fee-law): Delaware late fee rules under 25 Del. C. 5501(d): a 5 percent of monthly rent cap, a five-day wait, and what the lease must say first.
- [Washington DC late fee laws for rent: 5 percent cap, lease wording and invoice](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/dc-rent-late-fee-law): Washington DC late fee rules under D.C. Code 42-3505.31: a 5 percent cap, the five-day wait, what the lease must state and the 30-day invoice.
- [Florida late fee laws for rent: no statutory cap, so the lease matters](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/florida-rent-late-fee-law): Florida has no late fee statute in its residential landlord law. See what 83.46 and the 83.56 three-day notice say, and how to write a fee that holds up.
- [Ohio late fee laws for rent: no set cap, and what the lease terms law allows](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ohio-rent-late-fee-law): Ohio's landlord-tenant chapter 5321 has no late fee cap. See what 5321.06 and 5321.14 say about lease terms and the three-day notice under 1923.04.
- [New Jersey late fee laws for rent: the five business day grace period and who it covers](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/new-jersey-rent-late-fee-law): New Jersey's five business day rent grace period under N.J.S.A. 2A:42-6.1, who it covers under 2A:42-6.3, and what the law says about late charges.
- [New Mexico late fee laws for rent: the 5 percent cap and the notice deadline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/new-mexico-rent-late-fee-law): New Mexico lowered its late fee cap to 5 percent of rent for each rental period in default (47-8-15, SB 267). See the rent-only base and the notice deadline.
- [Pennsylvania late fee laws for rent: no cap in the Act, and the 10-day notice](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/pennsylvania-rent-late-fee-law): Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 has no late fee provision. See the 10-day notice for unpaid rent under Section 501 and how to write a fee.
- [Michigan late fee laws for rent: banned lease terms and the seven-day notice](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/michigan-rent-late-fee-law): Michigan late fee rules: Truth in Renting Act 554.633 banned lease terms, the extra payment-method fee ban and the 7-day notice to quit for unpaid rent.
- [How to evict a tenant in Nebraska: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-nebraska): Nebraska eviction steps for landlords: the 7-day nonpayment notice, the 14 and 30 day breach notice, the 3-day notice to leave, the hearing and the writ.
- [How to evict a tenant in Iowa: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-iowa): Iowa eviction steps for landlords: the 3-day pay notice, the 7-day breach notice, the hearing within 8 days of filing, and removal after judgment.
- [How to evict a tenant in Kansas: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-kansas): Kansas eviction steps for landlords: the 3-day nonpayment notice, the 14 and 30 day breach notice, the 3-day notice to leave, the hearing and the writ.
- [How to evict a tenant in Oklahoma: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-oklahoma): Oklahoma eviction steps for landlords: the 5-day rent demand, the 10 and 15 day breach notice, the trial 5 to 10 days out, and the 48-hour writ notice.
- [How to evict a tenant in Delaware: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-delaware): Delaware eviction steps for landlords: the 7-day rent demand, the 7-day breach notice, mediation, the Justice of the Peace Court hearing and the writ.
- [How to evict a tenant in Maine: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-maine): Maine eviction steps for landlords: the 7-day notice for rent arrears, the 30-day notice, how a tenant can reinstate, the court case and the writ.
- [How to evict a tenant in Utah: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-utah): Utah eviction steps for landlords: the 3 business day pay or quit notice, 3-day breach notices, the summons, the order of restitution and what is banned.
- [How to evict a tenant in Rhode Island: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-rhode-island): Rhode Island eviction steps for landlords: the 15-day arrears rule, the 5-day cure notice, the 20-day breach notice and the hearing date.
- [How to evict a tenant in Vermont: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-vermont): Vermont eviction steps for landlords: the 14-day nonpayment notice, the 30-day breach notice, rent into court, the writ of possession and illegal evictions.
- [How to evict a tenant in Alaska: steps and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-alaska): Alaska eviction steps for landlords: the 7-day nonpayment notice, the 10-day breach notice, the notice to quit rules and the forcible entry case.
- [How to evict a tenant in Florida: notices, court and the writ](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-florida): Florida eviction steps for landlords: the 3-day notice, the 7-day notices, county court filing, the five-day rent deposit, the writ and what you cannot do.
- [How to evict a tenant in Montana: the notice, the hearing and the writ](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-montana): Montana eviction steps: the 3-day and 14-day notices, how notice is served, the 10 business day hearing, the writ of assistance and the limits on self-help.
- [How to evict a tenant in Wyoming: the 3-day notice and the circuit court case](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-wyoming): Wyoming eviction under the forcible entry and detainer statutes: the 3-day notice to quit, circuit court trial, the writ in 2 days and the appeal bond.
- [How to evict a tenant in North Dakota: Chapter 47-32 step by step](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-north-dakota): North Dakota eviction rules for landlords: grounds in Chapter 47-32, the 3-day written notice of intention to evict, summons timing and the hardship stay.
- [How to evict a tenant in South Dakota: the forcible entry and detainer action](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-south-dakota): South Dakota forcible entry and detainer for landlords: grounds, the verified complaint, two service attempts, a 5-day appearance, trial and execution.
- [How to evict a tenant in West Virginia: the Article 3A petition](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-west-virginia): West Virginia eviction by verified petition under Article 3A: magistrate or circuit court, the hearing in 5 to 10 judicial days, the vacate order.
- [How to evict a tenant in Louisiana: notice to vacate, rule and warrant](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-louisiana): Louisiana eviction under the Code of Civil Procedure: the 5-day notice to vacate, the rule to show cause, judgment, the 24-hour warrant and suspensive appeals.
- [How to evict a tenant in Kentucky: the two layers of rules](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-kentucky): Kentucky eviction rules: forcible detainer in District Court, the 7-day nonpayment notice where the URA is adopted, the 7-day appeal window and the writ.
- [How to evict a tenant in Washington, D.C.: notice, filing and service](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-evict-a-tenant-in-washington-dc): Washington, D.C. eviction for housing providers: the 10-day nonpayment notice with the $600 minimum, 30-day notices, registration and the 14-day summons.
- [Oklahoma late fee law for rent: what the Act says and leaves out](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/oklahoma-rent-late-fee-law): Oklahoma's landlord act sets no late fee cap or grace period. Title 41 section 131 lets a landlord terminate after 5 days unpaid following a written demand.
- [West Virginia late fee law for rent: reasonable charges in the lease](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/west-virginia-rent-late-fee-law): West Virginia sets no late fee cap, but 37-6A-2 lets a deposit cover only reasonable late charges in the rental agreement. See how to write and itemize one.
- [Kentucky late fee law for rent: where the URLTA applies](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/kentucky-rent-late-fee-law): Kentucky has no statewide late fee cap in the sections read. Where a city adopted the URLTA, KRS 383.660 sets the nonpayment notice and 383.675 covers waiver.
- [How to switch from Yardi Breeze to DoorKeeping: exports, terms and cutover](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/switch-from-yardi-breeze-to-doorkeeping): What to export from Yardi Breeze, how its published terms treat data and cancellation, and how to cut over to DoorKeeping at a month end.
- [How to switch from TenantCloud to DoorKeeping: export, cancel and cut over](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/switch-from-tenantcloud-to-doorkeeping): How to use TenantCloud's Export data option, what its cancellation page warns about, and how to move your rentals to DoorKeeping cleanly.
- [How to switch from Stessa to DoorKeeping: reports to download and account closing](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/switch-from-stessa-to-doorkeeping): What to download from Stessa's Reports page before you close your account, and how to carry your books and rent roll into DoorKeeping.
- [How to switch from Baselane to DoorKeeping: exports, banking and closing](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/switch-from-baselane-to-doorkeeping): What to export from Baselane, what its published terms say about closing an account and downloading data, and how to move to DoorKeeping.
- [How to switch from TurboTenant to DoorKeeping: rent roll export and cancelling](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/switch-from-turbotenant-to-doorkeeping): How to generate TurboTenant's rent roll CSV, what else to save, how cancelling a plan works, and how to cut over to DoorKeeping.
- [How to switch from RentRedi to DoorKeeping: exports, cancelling and timing](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/switch-from-rentredi-to-doorkeeping): What to export from RentRedi sections like Renters, Rent and Properties, how to cancel your membership, and how to cut over to DoorKeeping.
- [How to switch from Avail to DoorKeeping: reports to save and how to cut over](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/switch-from-avail-to-doorkeeping): What to export from Avail's Reports area before you leave, what to check about your subscription, and how to cut over to DoorKeeping.
- [How to switch from Innago to DoorKeeping: exports, timing and tenants](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/switch-from-innago-to-doorkeeping): How to export Innago invoices and transaction reports, what to save before you leave, and how to cut over to DoorKeeping without missing rent.
- [How to switch from AppFolio to DoorKeeping: what to export and when](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/switch-from-appfolio-to-doorkeeping): What to export from AppFolio, what carries over, when to cut over and what to tell tenants when you move a small portfolio to DoorKeeping.
- [How to switch from Buildium to DoorKeeping: exports, timing and cancelling](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/switch-from-buildium-to-doorkeeping): How to export your data from Buildium before cancelling, what to load into DoorKeeping, and when to cut over so rent and deposits line up.
- [How to switch from DoorLoop to DoorKeeping: what to export first](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/switch-from-doorloop-to-doorkeeping): Export your DoorLoop reports before you cancel, then move tenants, leases and balances to DoorKeeping at a month end. Steps, timing and tenant notice.
- [How to switch from Rent Manager to DoorKeeping: exports and cutover](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/switch-from-rent-manager-to-doorkeeping): How to export reports from Rent Manager as CSV or Excel, what to carry into DoorKeeping, and how to pick a clean cutover date and notify tenants.
- [How to move from Excel or Google Sheets to property management software](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/move-from-spreadsheet-to-property-management-software): How to move a rental portfolio from Excel or Google Sheets into property management software: clean the data, import the rent roll, set opening balances.
- [How to collect rent online without paying fees](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/collect-rent-online-without-fees): The ways apartment owners take rent online for free: bank transfers, Zelle and bank bill pay, what each one costs, how fast it lands, and how to set it up.
- [How to tell which tenant paid: memo codes and exact-cent amounts](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/match-rent-payments-to-tenants): Match rent deposits to tenants fast with memo codes and exact-cent amounts, a monthly reconciliation routine, and fixes for payments that do not match.
- [Late fees on rent: how they work, with state limits](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-late-fee-limits-by-state): How rent late fees work, how to set one, and the actual statutory limits in Texas, New York, Oregon, Maine and Massachusetts, with worked examples.
- [Rent grace periods: what they are and which states require one](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-grace-period-by-state): What a rent grace period is, why rent is still due on the due date, and the grace periods set by law in New York, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Maine.
- [Security deposit limits and return deadlines, state by state examples](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/security-deposit-limits-and-return-deadlines): How much a landlord can hold as a security deposit and how fast it must come back, with rules from New York, Massachusetts, Florida, Washington and Oregon.
- [How to handle a partial rent payment](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/partial-rent-payment-landlord): Should you accept partial rent? What it does to a nonpayment notice, the rules in Oregon, Florida, Minnesota and Washington, and how to record it.
- [Zelle for rent: limits, fraud protections and tradeoffs](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/zelle-for-rent-payments): Using Zelle to collect rent: who sets the limits, what fees apply on business accounts, what fraud protection covers, and when bank transfer fits better.
- [What to do when a tenant does not pay rent: the pay or quit notice](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-not-paying-rent-pay-or-quit-notice): What to do when a tenant does not pay rent: the pay or quit notice step by step, with notice periods in New York, Florida, Oregon and Washington.
- [Rent increase notice: how much notice landlords must give](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-increase-notice-requirements): How much notice a landlord must give before raising rent, with rules from Oregon, New York and Washington, a sample timeline and what the notice says.
- [Housing Choice Voucher rent: how the HAP and tenant portions work](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/section-8-voucher-rent-hap-tenant-portion): How Section 8 voucher rent is split between the housing authority HAP payment and the tenant portion, with HUD formulas, a worked example and owner rules.
- [Schedule E expense categories for rental property, line by line](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/schedule-e-expense-categories-rental-property): Every Schedule E expense line for a rental property, what goes on it, and how to keep your books so the return is a copy job, not a project.
- [Bookkeeping for rental property: a simple chart of accounts for an apartment building](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-property-chart-of-accounts): A ready-to-use chart of accounts for an apartment building: numbered accounts for cash, deposits, loans, rent and every expense, tied to Schedule E.
- [One LLC per property: how to keep separate books and bank accounts](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/one-llc-per-property-separate-books): Why many apartment owners put each building in its own LLC, how a single-member LLC is taxed, and the steps to keep its bank account and books apart.
- [Bank reconciliation for rental property, month by month](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/bank-reconciliation-rental-property): How to reconcile a rental property bank account each month, with a worked example: deposits in transit, open checks, fees and returned rent payments.
- [Depreciation of residential rental property: 27.5 years, with a worked example](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-property-depreciation-27-5-years): How residential rental depreciation works: the 27.5 year recovery period, the mid-month convention, land you cannot depreciate, and a worked example.
- [Form 1099-NEC for contractors who work on your rentals](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/form-1099-nec-rental-property-contractors): When a rental owner files Form 1099-NEC for contractors, the $600 and $2,000 thresholds by year, the January 31 deadline, and what to collect up front.
- [Month-end close checklist for apartment owners](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/month-end-close-checklist-apartment-owners): A month-end close checklist for apartment owners who keep their own books: rent, deposits, bills, the bank, and the review that catches mistakes early.
- [Accounting for security deposits: a liability, not income](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/security-deposit-accounting-liability): Why a security deposit is a liability, not income, with journal entries for receiving, returning, keeping part of, and applying a deposit to rent.
- [How to calculate net operating income (NOI) for an apartment building](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-calculate-noi-apartment-building): Net operating income for an apartment building, step by step: potential rent, vacancy, other income, operating expenses, and what to leave out.
- [Cash vs accrual accounting for rental property](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/cash-vs-accrual-rental-property): Cash vs accrual accounting for an apartment building: when rent and bills count under each method, the advance rent rule, and which to choose.
- [The de minimis safe harbor election for rental property](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/de-minimis-safe-harbor-rental-property): How the de minimis safe harbor election works for rental property: the $2,500 per invoice or item limit, how to elect, and worked examples.
- [A tenant screening checklist that follows the law](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-screening-checklist-fcra): A tenant screening checklist for apartment owners: written criteria, consent, the FCRA adverse action notice, credit scores and safe disposal of reports.
- [Fair housing rules for rental listings: words and practices to avoid](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/fair-housing-rental-listing-words-to-avoid): Which words and practices in a rental listing break the Fair Housing Act, with plain alternatives, the federal rule text and the state classes to add.
- [Source of income laws and housing vouchers: what landlords need to know](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/source-of-income-laws-housing-vouchers): How source of income laws in California, Washington and Oregon treat Housing Choice Vouchers, how income tests must change, and how a voucher pays.
- [How to write an apartment listing that fills units faster](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-to-write-apartment-listing): A way to write an apartment listing: the facts renters filter on, a headline formula, the photo order, honest descriptions and a before and after.
- [Lease renewals: when to start, what to offer, and a timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/lease-renewal-timeline): When to start a lease renewal, what to offer and how state notice rules in Oregon, Washington and New York set your dates, with a worked renewal example.
- [Move-in checklist and condition report: what to record and why it matters](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/move-in-checklist-condition-report): What to record on a move-in condition report, room by room, why it decides deposit deductions, and the rules in Washington, Massachusetts and New York.
- [What to include in an apartment lease: the clauses that matter](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/apartment-lease-clauses-disclosures): The clauses an apartment lease needs, the federal lead paint disclosure for pre-1978 buildings, and state limits on fees and deposits to check first.
- [Rental application questions: what you can and cannot ask](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-application-questions-allowed): Which rental application questions are allowed, which break fair housing rules, and how HUD and New Jersey treat criminal history on an application.
- [When a tenant wants to break a lease: options and the duty to mitigate](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-breaking-lease-landlord-options): A landlord's options when a tenant breaks a lease: buyouts, re-letting, the duty to mitigate in New York and Washington, Florida's rules and the SCRA.
- [Assistance animals and pet policies: the HUD rules for landlords now](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/assistance-animals-pet-policy-landlords): HUD's 2025 and 2026 changes on assistance animals, what the Fair Housing Act still requires, California's ESA rules, and how to set a fair pet policy.
- [A work order process for small apartment owners](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/work-order-process-small-apartment-owners): A five-step work order process for owners who self-manage apartments: intake, triage, assign, close and record, with a sample log and the fields to keep.
- [Preventive maintenance checklist for an apartment building, season by season](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/apartment-preventive-maintenance-checklist-by-season): A season-by-season preventive maintenance checklist for an apartment building: gutters, heat, cooling, alarms and plumbing, with a sample budget.
- [Unit turnover (make-ready) checklist and timeline](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/unit-turnover-make-ready-checklist): A make-ready checklist and day-by-day timeline for turning an apartment between tenants, with a worked example of what each vacant day really costs you.
- [How quickly must a landlord make repairs? The warranty of habitability explained](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-long-landlord-has-to-make-repairs): How long a landlord has to make repairs under the warranty of habitability, with the actual rules in Texas, Florida and New York and what tenants can do.
- [Hiring and managing maintenance vendors: insurance, W-9s, scopes and payment](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/hiring-maintenance-vendors-w9-insurance): How to hire and manage maintenance vendors for rentals: collect a W-9, check insurance certificates, write a scope, and pay and report the right way.
- [Emergency maintenance: what counts as an emergency, and an after-hours plan](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/emergency-maintenance-after-hours-plan): What counts as an emergency maintenance request at an apartment building, who tenants call after hours, and a one-page plan you can set up this week.
- [Move-out inspection and deposit deductions: normal wear and tear vs damage](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/normal-wear-and-tear-vs-damage-deposit-deductions): Normal wear and tear vs tenant damage at move-out, what you may deduct from a deposit, and the refund deadlines in CA, TX, FL and NY.
- [Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements for rental units](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarm-rules-rentals): Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm rules for rental apartments: federal fire safety guidance plus the Texas, Florida and New York statutes, and a testing log.
- [Lead-based paint disclosure for pre-1978 rentals: the pamphlet and the form](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/lead-based-paint-disclosure-rentals): What the federal lead disclosure rule requires before you lease a unit built before 1978: the EPA pamphlet, the disclosure form, exemptions and records.
- [Budgeting for capital expenditures and replacement reserves per unit](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/capital-expenditure-reserves-per-unit): How to budget capital expenditure and replacement reserves per unit for an apartment building from your own component list, with a 16-unit example.
- [How to self-manage an apartment building: the weekly and monthly routine](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/self-manage-apartment-building-routine): A weekly, monthly and yearly routine for owners who manage their own apartments: rent, repairs, books, vacancies and leases, with a time budget.
- [Property management software for small landlords: what you actually need](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/property-management-software-small-landlords-checklist): What property management software a small landlord actually needs: the must-haves, the extras you can skip, and how to compare the full yearly cost.
- [Using ChatGPT or Claude to manage rental property](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/chatgpt-claude-manage-rental-property): How landlords can use ChatGPT or Claude for rental property work: what it does well, what to double-check, and what to keep out of a chat.
- [What MCP (Model Context Protocol) is and why it matters for property management software](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/what-is-mcp-property-management-software): The Model Context Protocol (MCP) explained for property owners: how it lets Claude or ChatGPT read your rent roll, and what to ask any vendor about it.
- [Occupancy, economic occupancy and delinquency: the metrics that show how a property is doing](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/occupancy-economic-occupancy-delinquency): How to calculate physical occupancy, economic occupancy and delinquency for an apartment building, with a worked example and what each one tells you.
- [Self-manage or hire a property manager: how to compare the cost](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/self-manage-or-hire-property-manager-cost): How to compare the real cost of self-managing apartments with hiring a property manager: fees, your hours, mileage and the break-even hourly rate.
- [The rent roll: how to keep one and how to read it](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-roll-how-to-keep-and-read): What a rent roll is, the columns every apartment rent roll needs, a sample to copy, and the checks lenders and buyers make when they read one.
- [A monthly owner report for your own properties: what to include](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/monthly-owner-report-what-to-include): A one-page monthly report for owners who manage their own apartments: income, expenses, NOI, cash flow, occupancy and who is behind, with a sample.
- [How to switch property management software: a migration checklist](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/switch-property-management-software-checklist): A step-by-step migration checklist for moving to new property management software: what to export, when to cut over, and how to prove the numbers match.
- [Texting tenants: consent and opt-out rules under the TCPA and carrier rules](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/texting-tenants-tcpa-consent-opt-out): Federal TCPA rules and wireless carrier guidelines for landlords who text tenants: consent, STOP replies, the 10 business day rule and confirmation texts.
- [Can a landlord refuse to accept cash for rent?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/landlord-refuse-cash-rent): Whether a landlord can refuse cash rent, what federal law says about legal tender, the receipts some states require, and when cash triggers IRS Form 8300.
- [What happens when rent is due on a weekend or holiday?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rent-due-on-weekend-or-holiday): What happens when the rent due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday: which states move it to the next business day, and how it affects late fees.
- [How long does an ACH rent payment take to clear?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-long-ach-rent-payment-takes): How long an ACH rent payment takes to settle and become usable, why weekends add days, and when a landlord can treat the money as really received.
- [How do you prorate rent for a mid-month move-in?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/prorated-rent-mid-month-move-in): Two ways to prorate rent for a mid-month move-in, by days in the month or by a yearly daily rate, with worked examples and the move-in charges to collect.
- [Do landlords have to pay interest on security deposits?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/security-deposit-interest-by-state): Which states make landlords pay interest on security deposits: the rates and rules in Massachusetts, New York, Maryland and Minnesota, with examples.
- [Should a landlord accept rent from someone other than the tenant?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/accept-rent-from-third-party): When to accept rent paid by a parent, employer or charity instead of the tenant, the overpayment scams to watch for, and how to record the payment.
- [What can a landlord charge for a bounced rent payment?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/returned-check-bounced-rent-fee): What a landlord may charge when a rent payment bounces, with returned check fee limits in New York, Florida, Oregon and Washington, and worked examples.
- [What should a landlord do about a tenant who pays late every month?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-pays-rent-late-every-month): A plan for a tenant who pays rent late every month: find the cause, move the due date, apply fees evenly, and know your notice and renewal rules.
- [Can a landlord apply a payment to fees before rent?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/payment-application-order-rent-fees): Whether a landlord can apply a tenant payment to fees before rent: the order Oregon and Washington require, with a worked example of the difference.
- [How should rent be split between roommates on one lease, and who owes what?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/split-rent-roommates-joint-lease): How roommates on one lease can split rent fairly, who owes the landlord what under a joint and several lease, and how to handle the deposit and a move-out.
- [Is rent paid in advance taxable in the year you receive it?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/advance-rent-taxable-year-received): When rent paid early is taxed, with the IRS advance rent rule from Publication 527, lease buyouts, last month's rent and a worked year-end example.
- [Can you deduct a rental property loss against your other income?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-loss-deduct-against-other-income): How the passive activity rules limit rental losses, the $25,000 allowance for active participation, its phase-out by income, and what carries forward.
- [Does a rental property LLC need its own EIN?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/does-rental-llc-need-ein): When a rental LLC needs an EIN, when the owner's number is used instead, why banks ask for one, and how to get it free from the IRS in one sitting.
- [How do you record a mortgage payment in rental property books?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/record-mortgage-payment-rental-property-books): How to split a rental mortgage payment into interest, principal and escrow in your books, with journal entries and a Form 1098 year-end check.
- [Can landlords deduct mileage driving to their rental properties?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/landlord-mileage-deduction-rental-property): When driving to your rentals is deductible, the 2026 IRS standard mileage rates (72.5 then 76 cents), the commuting rule and the log you need.
- [How do you depreciate appliances and carpet in a rental?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/depreciate-appliances-carpet-rental): IRS recovery periods for rental appliances, carpet and furniture (5 years), the first-year percentages, the mid-quarter trap and a worked example.
- [Can a landlord take a home office deduction?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/home-office-deduction-landlords): When a landlord can deduct a home office: the Publication 587 tests, why the rental must be a trade or business, the $5 simplified method and mileage.
- [Can you deduct unpaid rent as a loss?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/deduct-unpaid-rent-landlord): Why cash basis landlords cannot deduct unpaid rent, when accrual owners may claim a bad debt, and how kept deposits and late collections are taxed.
- [Does rental income qualify for the QBI deduction?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/qbi-deduction-rental-income-safe-harbor): When rental income qualifies for the section 199A QBI deduction, the IRS 250-hour rental safe harbor, what counts as rental services, and records.
- [How long should landlords keep rental property records?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-long-keep-rental-property-records): IRS record retention periods for landlords: 3, 6 and 7 years, property basis records until you sell, exchanges, payroll and a worked timeline.
- [How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/rental-application-fee-limits-by-state): Rental application fee limits in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Virginia, Delaware, Washington and Oregon, with worked numbers and a fee checklist.
- [Is the "income must be 3 times the rent" rule legal, and how should you apply it?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/income-three-times-rent-rule): Whether requiring income of three times the rent is legal, how to apply it fairly, and how California and Washington change the math for voucher holders.
- [Can a landlord deny an applicant because of a past eviction?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/deny-applicant-past-eviction): When a past eviction can count against an applicant, the seven-year reporting limit, New York's ban on refusing for past court cases, and sealed records.
- [Month-to-month or one-year lease: which is better for an apartment owner?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/month-to-month-vs-one-year-lease): Month-to-month or a one-year lease: turnover math, notice rules in New York, Washington and Oregon, and when each choice makes sense for an owner.
- [How much notice must a landlord give before entering an apartment?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/landlord-notice-before-entering-apartment): How much notice a landlord must give before entering an apartment in Oregon, Florida, Washington and Arizona, what the notice must say, and emergencies.
- [What is a lease addendum and when should you use one?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/lease-addendum-when-to-use): What a lease addendum is, when to use one instead of a new lease, common apartment addenda, required lead and radon disclosures, and how to sign one.
- [How do co-signers and lease guarantors work?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/co-signer-vs-lease-guarantor): Co-signer vs lease guarantor: who owes what, how to qualify one, the FCRA notice when you require one, and why New York requires a guaranty in writing.
- [How many people can live in an apartment?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/apartment-occupancy-limits-how-many-people): How many people can live in an apartment: HUD's two-per-bedroom policy, the factors that change it, local codes, and a fair written occupancy rule.
- [Can a tenant sublet an apartment, and can the landlord say no?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/can-tenant-sublet-apartment): Whether a tenant can sublet an apartment, when a landlord can refuse, New York RPL 226-b and Delaware rules, and a sublet approval checklist for owners.
- [What happens when a tenant stays after the lease ends?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/holdover-tenant-after-lease-ends): What happens when a tenant stays after the lease ends: month-to-month in New York and Oregon, double rent in Florida, and why accepting rent matters.
- [How long can a landlord leave tenants without heat or hot water?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/landlord-no-heat-or-hot-water-how-long): How long a landlord can leave tenants without heat or hot water, with the actual rules in New York City, Minnesota, Washington and Florida.
- [Who pays for bed bug treatment in an apartment?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/who-pays-for-bed-bug-treatment-apartment): Who pays to treat bed bugs in a rental, with the rules in Maine, Florida, Arizona, Washington and New York City, and a plan for multi-unit buildings.
- [What are a landlord's responsibilities for mold?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/landlord-responsibilities-for-mold): What a landlord must do about mold: EPA cleanup guidance, Virginia and Washington rules, when to test, and a simple response plan for apartment owners.
- [Can a tenant withhold rent or repair and deduct?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/tenant-withhold-rent-repair-and-deduct): When a tenant may withhold rent or repair and deduct, with the rules in Washington, Massachusetts and Florida and what an apartment owner should do.
- [Do landlords have to test for radon?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/do-landlords-have-to-test-for-radon): Whether landlords must test apartments for radon, what the EPA recommends, how the Illinois disclosure law works, and a testing plan for lower floors.
- [Should you repair or replace an apartment water heater?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/repair-or-replace-apartment-water-heater): A simple way to decide whether to repair or replace a rental water heater: compare cost per remaining year, count the outage risk, then book it right.
- [How do you winterize a vacant apartment unit?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/winterize-vacant-apartment-unit): A checklist to winterize a vacant apartment: heat setting, pipes, water shutoff, drains, alarms, a weekly walk, and what to do if a pipe freezes.
- [Who is responsible for appliance repairs in an apartment?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/who-pays-for-appliance-repairs-apartment): Who fixes the fridge, stove or dishwasher in a rental: the landlord for appliances it supplies, the tenant for damage they cause, and the lease.
- [How often should a landlord inspect apartments, and what should an annual inspection cover?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/how-often-landlord-inspect-apartments): How often to inspect occupied apartments, how much entry notice states require, and an annual inspection checklist room by room for apartment owners.
- [What do apartment owners need to know about asbestos in older buildings?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/asbestos-in-older-apartment-buildings): What apartment owners need to know about asbestos: where it hides, when to leave it alone, OSHA rules for workers, and EPA rules before renovation.
- [Can ChatGPT do the bookkeeping for my rental property?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/can-chatgpt-do-bookkeeping-rental-property): What ChatGPT or Claude can and cannot do for your rental books, a worked month that shows the usual mistake, and a routine that keeps the totals right.
- [Can AI answer tenant messages for a landlord, and what are the risks?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/can-ai-answer-tenant-messages-risks): Which tenant messages AI can answer for a landlord, which need a person, and the real risks: wrong promises, fair housing, emergencies and texting consent.
- [What questions can a landlord ask an AI about their rentals?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/ask-ai-about-your-rentals-example-prompts): Example prompts a landlord can give ChatGPT or Claude, grouped by task: rent and occupancy, leases, books, repairs, tenant letters and approvals.
- [How much does property management software cost per unit?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/property-management-software-cost-per-unit): Published per-unit prices for property management software, what minimums do to the real cost at 20, 60 and 150 units, and fees that sit outside the price.
- [Do I need property management software for 10 units?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/property-management-software-for-10-units): Whether 10 rental units need property management software: the monthly work, when a spreadsheet is enough, signs you have outgrown it, and the cost.
- [How do you manage an apartment building in another state?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/manage-apartment-building-in-another-state): How to run an apartment building you do not live near: the local help you need, money and approvals from a distance, the property state's rules and visits.
- [What should you set up in your books and systems right after buying an apartment building?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/books-and-systems-after-buying-apartment-building): What to set up after buying an apartment building: bank account, opening balances from closing, transferred deposits, rent roll, utilities and insurance.
- [Is it safe to give an AI app access to tenant data?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/is-it-safe-to-give-ai-app-tenant-data): How to judge whether an AI app should touch your tenant data: what you hold, the FTC's five data security principles, and the questions to ask any vendor.
- [What should an owner do in the first 30 days after buying an apartment building?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/first-30-days-after-buying-apartment-building): A week-by-week plan for your first 30 days owning an apartment building: keys, a tenant letter, walking every unit, vendors and the first rent cycle.
- [How do you calculate a cap rate from your own property's books?](https://doorkeeping.com/blog/calculate-cap-rate-from-your-own-books): How to turn your rental profit and loss into a cap rate: the trailing 12 months, the add-backs and deductions, and a worked 16 unit example.

## Blog en español

- [Blog de DoorKeeping: guías para propietarios en español](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog): Guías claras en español para propietarios: cobro de renta, recargos, depósitos en garantía, contratos, impuestos y el software que lo hace todo.
- [¿Cuánto tarda un desalojo en Florida, y qué pasa en cada paso?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/florida-eviction-process-timeline): Cómo avanza un desalojo en Florida por renta sin pagar después del aviso de 3 días: la demanda, 5 días para responder, la renta en el tribunal y la orden.
- [¿Qué puede hacer un propietario con las pertenencias que deja un inquilino?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/tenant-left-belongings-after-move-out): Qué debe hacer un propietario con las pertenencias que un inquilino deja al mudarse en Florida, Oregón y Washington: aviso, días de espera y límites en dólares.
- [¿Cómo se entrega legalmente un aviso a un inquilino, y vale el correo electrónico?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/how-to-serve-notice-to-tenant-email): Cómo deben entregar los avisos a los inquilinos los propietarios en Florida, Oregón, Washington y Nueva York, cuándo vale el correo y qué prueba guardar.
- [¿Qué cuenta como represalia del propietario después de la queja de un inquilino?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/landlord-retaliation-rules-tenant-complaint): Qué cuenta como represalia del propietario tras la queja de un inquilino, las presunciones de 90 días y de un año en Washington y Nueva York, y cómo actuar.
- [¿La renta del último mes es lo mismo que un depósito en garantía, y quién paga si sube la renta?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/last-months-rent-vs-security-deposit): Si la renta del último mes pagada por adelantado cuenta como depósito, quién paga si la renta sube antes del último mes, y las reglas en seis estados.
- [¿Qué aviso usa un propietario de Arizona para una violación del contrato que no es por la renta?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/arizona-lease-violation-notice-5-day-10-day): Qué aviso de Arizona corresponde a una violación del contrato: 5 días por salud y seguridad, 10 días por otros incumplimientos, inmediato si es grave.
- [¿Puede un contrato de arrendamiento en Florida exigir a los inquilinos 60 días de aviso antes de mudarse?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/florida-lease-end-notice-83-575): ¿Puede un contrato en Florida exigir 60 días de aviso antes de mudarse? Cómo funciona la 83.575, el recordatorio de 15 días del propietario y las fechas.
- [Asistentes de IA para rentar: lo que pueden y no pueden hacer por los propietarios](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/ai-leasing-assistant-fair-housing-risks): Qué puede responder con seguridad un asistente de IA para rentar, dónde puede violar la vivienda justa y los controles que debe fijar un propietario.
- [Cómo cobrar la renta en línea sin pagar cargos](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/collect-rent-online-without-fees): Cómo cobrar la renta en línea gratis: transferencia bancaria, Zelle y pago de facturas del banco, cuánto cuesta cada uno, qué tan rápido llega y cómo empezar.
- [Recargos por pago tardío de la renta: cómo funcionan y límites por estado](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/rent-late-fee-limits-by-state): Cómo funcionan los recargos por pago tardío de la renta, cómo fijar uno y los límites de ley en Texas, Nueva York, Oregón, Maine y Massachusetts, con ejemplos.
- [Periodo de gracia de la renta: qué es y qué estados lo exigen](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/rent-grace-period-by-state): Qué es el periodo de gracia de la renta, por qué la renta vence igual en su fecha y los plazos de ley en Nueva York, Oregón, Texas, Washington y Maine.
- [Depósito en garantía: límites y plazos de devolución, con ejemplos por estado](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/security-deposit-limits-and-return-deadlines): Cuánto puedes cobrar como depósito en garantía y en cuánto tiempo debes devolverlo, con las reglas de Nueva York, Massachusetts, Florida, Washington y Oregón.
- [Cómo manejar un pago parcial de la renta](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/partial-rent-payment-landlord): ¿Debes aceptar una renta parcial? Qué le hace a un aviso por falta de pago, las reglas de Oregón, Florida, Minnesota y Washington, y cómo registrarla.
- [Zelle para la renta: límites, protección contra fraudes y lo que ganas y pierdes](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/zelle-for-rent-payments): Cobrar la renta por Zelle: quién fija los límites, qué cargos hay en cuentas de negocio, qué cubre la protección contra fraudes y cuándo conviene transferir.
- [Qué hacer cuando un inquilino no paga la renta: el aviso de pagar o desocupar](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/tenant-not-paying-rent-pay-or-quit-notice): Qué hacer cuando un inquilino no paga la renta: el aviso de pagar o desocupar paso a paso, con los plazos de Nueva York, Florida, Oregón y Washington.
- [Aviso de aumento de renta: cuánto tiempo antes debes avisar](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/rent-increase-notice-requirements): Cuánto aviso debe dar un propietario antes de subir la renta, con las reglas de Oregón, Nueva York y Washington, un calendario de ejemplo y qué dice el aviso.
- [Categorías de gastos del Schedule E para propiedades en renta, línea por línea](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/schedule-e-expense-categories-rental-property): Cada línea de gastos del Schedule E para una propiedad en renta, qué va en cada una y cómo llevar tu contabilidad para que declarar sea copiar números.
- [Cuando un inquilino quiere romper el contrato: opciones y el deber de reducir daños](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/tenant-breaking-lease-landlord-options): Las opciones de un propietario cuando un inquilino rompe el contrato: acuerdos, volver a rentar, el deber de reducir daños, las reglas de Florida y la SCRA.
- [¿Qué tan rápido debe reparar el propietario? La garantía de habitabilidad explicada](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/how-long-landlord-has-to-make-repairs): Cuánto tiempo tienes para hacer reparaciones según la garantía de habitabilidad: las reglas de Texas, Florida y Nueva York y lo que puede hacer el inquilino.
- [Inspección de salida y descuentos al depósito: desgaste normal o daño](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/normal-wear-and-tear-vs-damage-deposit-deductions): Desgaste normal o daño del inquilino al desocupar, qué puedes descontar del depósito y los plazos de devolución en CA, TX, FL y NY.
- [Cómo usar ChatGPT o Claude para administrar propiedades en renta](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/chatgpt-claude-manage-rental-property): Cómo pueden usar ChatGPT o Claude los propietarios para sus propiedades en renta: qué hace bien, qué revisar dos veces y qué no poner en un chat.
- [Qué es MCP (Model Context Protocol) y por qué importa en el software de administración de propiedades](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/what-is-mcp-property-management-software): El Model Context Protocol (MCP) explicado para propietarios: cómo deja que Claude o ChatGPT lean tu relación de rentas y qué preguntarle a cualquier proveedor.
- [Cómo cambiar de software de administración de propiedades: una lista de migración](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/switch-property-management-software-checklist): Una lista paso a paso para migrar a un software nuevo de administración de propiedades: qué exportar, cuándo cambiar y cómo comprobar que los números coinciden.
- [¿Puede un propietario negarse a aceptar efectivo para la renta?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/landlord-refuse-cash-rent): Si un propietario puede rechazar la renta en efectivo, qué dice la ley federal sobre el curso legal, los recibos que exigen algunos estados y el Form 8300.
- [¿Qué pasa cuando la renta vence en fin de semana o en un día festivo?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/rent-due-on-weekend-or-holiday): Qué pasa cuando la renta vence en sábado, domingo o día festivo: qué estados la pasan al siguiente día hábil y cómo afecta el recargo por pago tardío.
- [¿Cuánto tarda en liberarse un pago de renta por ACH?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/how-long-ach-rent-payment-takes): Cuánto tarda en liquidarse y en estar disponible un pago de renta por ACH, por qué los fines de semana suman días y cuándo ya puedes contar el dinero.
- [¿Cómo se prorratea la renta cuando el inquilino se muda a mitad de mes?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/prorated-rent-mid-month-move-in): Dos formas de prorratear la renta cuando el inquilino se muda a mitad de mes, por días del mes o con una tarifa diaria anual, con ejemplos.
- [¿Tienen que pagar intereses los propietarios sobre el depósito en garantía?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/security-deposit-interest-by-state): Qué estados obligan a pagar intereses sobre el depósito en garantía: las tasas y reglas de Massachusetts, Nueva York, Maryland y Minnesota, con ejemplos.
- [¿Debe un propietario aceptar renta de alguien que no es el inquilino?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/accept-rent-from-third-party): Cuándo aceptar renta pagada por un padre, un empleador o una organización en lugar del inquilino, las estafas de sobrepago y cómo registrar el pago.
- [¿Qué puede cobrar un propietario por un pago de renta rebotado?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/returned-check-bounced-rent-fee): Qué puede cobrar un propietario cuando rebota un pago de renta, con los límites del cargo por cheque devuelto en Nueva York, Florida, Oregón y Washington.
- [¿Qué debe hacer un propietario con un inquilino que paga tarde cada mes?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/tenant-pays-rent-late-every-month): Plan para el inquilino que paga la renta tarde cada mes: encuentra la causa, cambia la fecha, aplica recargos parejo y revisa tus reglas de aviso.
- [¿Puede un propietario aplicar un pago a los cargos antes que a la renta?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/payment-application-order-rent-fees): Si un propietario puede aplicar el pago de un inquilino a los cargos antes que a la renta: el orden que exigen Oregón y Washington y un ejemplo resuelto.
- [¿Se puede deducir la renta sin pagar como una pérdida?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/deduct-unpaid-rent-landlord): Por qué un propietario con base de efectivo no puede deducir la renta sin pagar, cuándo un propietario con base devengada puede reclamar una deuda incobrable.
- [¿Cuánto aviso debe dar el propietario antes de entrar a un apartamento?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/landlord-notice-before-entering-apartment): Cuánto aviso debe dar un propietario antes de entrar a un apartamento en Oregón, Florida, Washington y Arizona, qué dice el aviso y qué pasa en emergencias.
- [¿Qué pasa cuando un inquilino se queda después de que termina el contrato?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/holdover-tenant-after-lease-ends): Qué pasa cuando un inquilino se queda al terminar el contrato: mes a mes en Nueva York y Oregón, el doble de renta en Florida y por qué importa aceptar renta.
- [¿Puede ChatGPT llevar la contabilidad de mi propiedad en renta?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/can-chatgpt-do-bookkeeping-rental-property): Lo que ChatGPT o Claude pueden y no pueden hacer con tus libros de renta, un mes resuelto que muestra el error común y una rutina para que los totales cuadren.
- [¿Puede la IA responder los mensajes de los inquilinos por un propietario, y cuáles son los riesgos?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/can-ai-answer-tenant-messages-risks): Qué mensajes de inquilinos puede responder la IA por un propietario, cuáles necesitan a una persona y los riesgos: promesas, vivienda justa y emergencias.
- [¿Qué preguntas puede hacerle un propietario a una IA sobre sus rentas?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/ask-ai-about-your-rentals-example-prompts): Ejemplos de preguntas que un propietario puede hacerle a ChatGPT o Claude, por tarea: renta y ocupación, contratos, libros, reparaciones, cartas y aprobaciones.
- [¿Cuánto cuesta por unidad el software de administración de propiedades?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/property-management-software-cost-per-unit): Precios publicados por unidad del software de administración de propiedades, qué hacen los mínimos al costo real con 20, 60 y 150 unidades y los cargos aparte.
- [¿Necesito software de administración de propiedades para 10 unidades?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/property-management-software-for-10-units): Si 10 unidades en renta necesitan software de administración de propiedades: el trabajo mensual, cuándo basta una hoja de cálculo y el costo.
- [¿Es seguro darle a una app de IA acceso a los datos de los inquilinos?](https://doorkeeping.com/es/blog/is-it-safe-to-give-ai-app-tenant-data): Cómo juzgar si una app de IA debe tocar los datos de tus inquilinos: lo que guardas, los cinco principios de la FTC y las preguntas para cualquier proveedor.

## For AI agents

- [MCP server](https://doorkeeping.com/mcp): connect DoorKeeping to Claude or ChatGPT (OAuth sign-in with the owner's account); setup steps at https://doorkeeping.com/connect-ai
- [Agent resource manifest](https://doorkeeping.com/.well-known/ard.json): ARD manifest listing the MCP server and the pricing
- WebMCP: the public pages offer read-only tools (overview, pricing, monthly cost for a number of units, price comparison, features, sign-up links) to browsers that support WebMCP

Contact: support@doorkeeping.com