Renting & Tenants
Leases, rent, screening, and tenant relationships.
Subletting vs Assignment: What's the Difference for Landlords?
Subletting keeps the original tenant on the hook to you, while assignment hands the entire lease to a new person and releases the old one.
Should You Require Renters Insurance From Tenants? 2026 Guide
Requiring $100,000 in renters insurance costs a tenant about $15 a month and can save landlords thousands after fires, floods, or dog bites.
Selling a House With Tenants Still Living In It: 5 Rules
A signed lease survives the sale of a property in nearly every state, so the buyer inherits your tenant unless the lease has already expired.
Texas Security Deposit Rules 2026: Limits, Deadlines & Deductions
Texas landlords have 30 days after move-out to return a deposit or send an itemized list, and there's no state cap on the amount you can charge.
New York Security Deposit Rules 2026: The 5 Changes to Know
New York caps security deposits at one month's rent and requires landlords to return them within 14 days of move-out with an itemized statement.
Massachusetts Security Deposit Rules 2026: The Strictest in the US
Massachusetts caps security deposits at one month's rent and requires interest, receipts, and a strict 30-day return — miss a step and you can owe triple damages.
Illinois Security Deposit Rules 2026: A Landlord's Guide
Illinois landlords with 5+ units must itemize deposit deductions within 30 days and refund the balance within 45 days of move-out.
Florida Security Deposit Rules 2026: Limits, Timelines, Notices
Florida sets no dollar cap on security deposits, but landlords must send a written notice within 30 days and return funds within 15 to 60 days.
California Security Deposit Rules 2026: Limits & Deadlines
California caps most security deposits at one month's rent under AB 12, and landlords have 21 days to return the balance with an itemized statement.
Security Deposit Mistakes That Get Landlords Sued
Missing a state deposit-return deadline by even one day can force a landlord to pay 2-3x the deposit back to a former tenant.
Renting a Room to a Roommate: Leases, Taxes & Rules (2026)
Renting out a spare room means reporting the income on Schedule E or C, screening the roommate like any tenant, and putting house rules in writing.
Red Flags in a Tenant's References: Questions to Ask
A landlord reference from a current landlord alone catches almost nothing — here are the exact questions and red flags that actually predict trouble.
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