Landlord Best Practices

Practical guidance for handling everyday landlord responsibilities—communication, documentation, notices, forms, and decision-making strategies to help you stay organized and avoid common mistakes.

Free Resources Policy & Regulatory

Mindset Shift: Just Fixing It vs. Documenting Everything
Mindset Shift: Just Fixing It vs. Documenting Everything

Article #1 of our new series, Mindset Shift: From Friendly to Legally Smart Continue Reading

Postedby BPOA Master
Date posted04/1/2025


Photographic Evidence: A New Standard In Security Deposit Documentation
Photographic Evidence: A New Standard In Security Deposit Documentation

An overview of AB 2801, the new state law amending Civil Code 1950.5 to mandate photo documentation for security deposit deduction justification. Continue Reading

Postedby Tiffany Van Buren
Date posted02/1/2025


Who Can Serve a Notice of Intent to Enter in California?
Who Can Serve a Notice of Intent to Enter in California?

Who can serve notices to renters? Read on to learn! Continue Reading

Postedby BPOA Master
Date posted01/1/2025


Mold Complaints: When It’s Not a Leak—It’s a Lifestyle
Mold Complaints: When It’s Not a Leak—It’s a Lifestyle

Common tenant-related causes of mold and what rental housing providers can and should do to safeguard their properties Continue Reading

Postedby BPOA Master
Date posted01/1/2025


Are Landlords Required to Let Tenants Test for Lead or Mold?
Are Landlords Required to Let Tenants Test for Lead or Mold?

A breakdown of when landlords must allow testing, when they can refuse, and what you’re actually required to do under the law. Continue Reading

Postedby BPOA Master
Date posted01/1/2025


Renting to Pet Owners is a "Win-Win-Win"
Renting to Pet Owners is a "Win-Win-Win"

There are numerous benefits in housing pets for housing providers, pet owners, and pets! Continue Reading

Postedby BPOA Master
Date posted12/23/2024


How to Properly Serve Rent Increase Notices in California
How to Properly Serve Rent Increase Notices in California

Learn how to properly serve rent increase notices in California. This guide explains approved delivery methods, required mailing extensions, and how to avoid invalid notices that can void an otherwise lawful increase. Continue Reading

Postedby Tiffany Van Buren
Date posted11/14/2024


Know Your Rights: A Berkeley Rental Housing Provider's Guide to Legal Access of Rental Units
Know Your Rights: A Berkeley Rental Housing Provider's Guide to Legal Access of Rental Units

Learn the legal grounds for entering a rental unit, the proper procedure for giving notice, what constitutes tenant harassment, and strategies for handling tenants who interfere with your right to access. Continue Reading

Postedby Tiffany Van Buren
Date posted09/1/2024


Streamline Your Document Management: Retention Duration Requirements, Digitization, and Storage
Streamline Your Document Management: Retention Duration Requirements, Digitization, and Storage

Confused about how long to retain rental applications, leases and other documents pertaining to your rental property? Burdened by heavy boxes and file cabinets full of paper documents? This article provides retention mandate guidance and offers digitization and storage options to enhance efficiency. Continue Reading

Postedby Tiffany Van Buren
Date posted08/1/2024


Crafting the Perfect Internet Rental Listing
Crafting the Perfect Internet Rental Listing

Guidance on writing internet marketing ads for your rental units! Continue Reading

Postedby Tiffany Van Buren
Date posted07/1/2024


Managing Tenant Maintenance Requests
Managing Tenant Maintenance Requests

Responding, Prioritizing, and Other Considerations Continue Reading

Postedby Tiffany Van Buren
Date posted06/1/2024


Micromobility Devices: An Easy Way to Get Around Town, A Headache for Housing Providers
Micromobility Devices: An Easy Way to Get Around Town, A Headache for Housing Providers

What housing providers need to know about SB 712, the charging and storage of tenants' micromobility devices Continue Reading

Postedby Tiffany Van Buren
Date posted02/1/2024