Category: Landlord San Diego

COVID-19 is not going anywhere any time soon, so it’s imperative that you as a landlord take extra precautions to prepare your rental for the new tenants. By following a clear turnover cleaning protocol, you will not only make your rental spotlessly clean but help stop the spread of the coronavirus in the process. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), COVID-19 spreads by direct contact with an infected person. In addition, according to various studies, the virus may spread through contaminated surfaces. Property managers in La Jolla, CA, are well-versed when it comes to turnover cleaning. Below you’ll learn more about how they make their post-COVID turnover cleaning efficient and minimize the health risks. 

What are post-COVID cleaning and turnover protocols for rental properties?

The CDC has put together a list of cleaning products that have proven to effectively limit the spread of the virus, such as sodium hypochlorite and bleach. The surfaces on which these products are used include desks, toilets, doorknobs, cabinets, etc. 

The cleaning products from the CDC-indorsed list can help you significantly reduce and limit the virus’ spread. 

Choosing the right supplies and protective equipment 

Investing in essential products to effectively clean and disinfect surfaces in homes and offices is a must. The personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies include:

• Face masks, gloves, and goggles for skin and eye protection
• Disposable protective clothing
• Disinfectant products
• Garbage bags, paper towels, and cleansing brushes
• Hand sanitizer

The equipment and supplies must be appropriately used to prevent exposure and ensure maximum safety. 

CDC reopening guidelines

The CDC has put out guidelines that refer to the reopening of rental properties and commercial businesses to help property and business owners. 

The seven-day rule

According to the Centers for Disease Control, a space that has been unoccupied for seven days does not require additional disinfecting to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you can leave your property empty for a week, you’ll be able to facilitate your usual cleaning routine between tenants.

Disinfecting products

For areas that you need to disinfect, the CDC has provided a handy list of cleaning products that have been shown to be effective in killing the COVID-19 virus. Note that it is essential not only to use the correct product in many cases but also to have it in contact with the surface for a sufficient amount of time.

Outdoor spaces

There is little evidence that the virus can spread in outdoor pools and hot tubs, and proper maintenance and disinfection should be sufficient to protect tenants. However, outdoor play surfaces may pose more of a risk and should be properly cleaned.

Solid surfaces

The CDC recommends cleaning and disinfecting these high-touch surface areas in homes and offices:

• tables
• countertops
• doorknobs
• light switches
• keyboards
• door handles
• desks
• phones
• toilets
• sinks and faucets

Clean these when you first enter the home after the tenants have moved out.

Soft surfaces

For soft surfaces, such as sofas, rugs, or window coverings, the CDC recommends cleaning with products you typically use for such surfaces. Use warm water safe for the fabric while allowing soft surfaces to dry completely before using. 

Who are the property managers in La Jolla, CA, that I can trust with my rental turnover cleaning?

Lofty Property Management provides in-depth property management services in La Jolla Village, La Jolla, and other communities across San Diego. We will ensure your property is safe and that everything is running smoothly. Our main priority is to give you a comprehensive service executed by the highest professional standards. Our team is standing by, so set up a consultation now!

The health, social, psychological, and economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis are severe. Many Californians with low incomes have been especially hard hit. Changes to jobs, schools, child care settings, and services have been particularly disruptive to the millions of people who did not share the fruits of the State’s prosperity even before the pandemic. A disproportionately high percentage of minorities are losing their jobs or expressing concerns about their future. People in occupations with limited opportunities to work from home have had the most anxiety for their future and potential eviction by the landlords.

Things are fortunately looking up as the pandemic continues to wind down in La Jolla, CA, and the region. While your local property managers are always available for adequate advice on the landlord-tenant dynamic during COVID, read on to learn more about how CTRA protects tenants during this pandemic. 

How does COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act protect tenants?

It is expected that the full lifting of lockdown measures will set the stage for an even faster recovery in the State of California than nationwide, providing an overall encouraging outlook. Until then, here are the legal and financial tenant protections under CTRA: 

• The notice period for rent nonpayment is increased from 3 to 15 court days to give tenants more time to respond to the landlord’s notices.
• Mandatory hardship declaration forms must be provided with any eviction notice.
• The hardship declaration forms the landlord provides must be in the language in which the rental agreement was agreed upon.
• Landlords are required to provide tenants with a disclosure explaining the rights they have under AB 3088.
• Expands the “just cause” protections to all tenancies, including those less than one year, new construction, single-family homes, and affordable housing.
• Local ordinances in effect as of August 19th, 2020, will remain in effect until their expiration.
• Landlords are forbidden from charging late fees. 
• Collection of debt cannot start until July of 2021, although individual cases filed before October 2020 may continue. 
• Landlords who want to collect unpaid rent using court action must first apply for or look into rental assistance payments. If the landlord turns down rental assistance, they will not be able to collect any unpaid rent using court action. 
• Landlords who reject the up to 80% rental assistance payment and forgive the remaining past due rent will only receive 25% of past-due rent. 
• Credit reports of rental debt due to the pandemic can’t be used to justify tenants’ future housing by landlords. 

Can a tenant get evicted due to loss of income during COVID?

If you lost income or had increased expenses because of COVID, the new legislation prohibits your landlord from evicting you for not paying rent. However, this protection is not entirely automatic. If your landlord gives you an eviction notice for nonpayment of rent, this notice must be accompanied by a “Declaration of COVID-19-related financial distress”, which you must sign and return within 15 days of getting it from your landlord. If the landlord does not give the tenant this declaration form together with the eviction notice, the eviction notice is not valid. 

An additional requirement for the landlord to not evict for missed rent between September 1st, 2020 and September 30th, 2021 (besides the signed COVID declaration) is the regular payment of at least 25% of the rent time period by September 30th, 2021. Further important tenant protections include the following: 

• Landlords cannot increase the charges of any fees agreed to in the lease. 
• Landlords cannot add new expenses.
• They can start selling or assigning pandemic rental debt only after June 31st, 2021.

However, the full payment of owed rent has not been eliminated. Unpaid rent isn’t waived but is converted into consumer debt. Even though tenants are protected from eviction, they must eventually pay back all the rent payments they missed. From November 1st, 2021 onwards, landlords can sue their tenants for not repaying unpaid rent from March 1st, 2020, to September 30th, 2021.

Reap the benefits of hiring the leading La Jolla, CA, property managers 

Do you want to relieve yourself of the stress of having to deal with tenant issues during the pandemic? One of the primary benefits of hiring a property manager in La Jolla and across San Diego is that it will save you the headache of time-consuming landlord responsibilities. Here at Lofty Property Management, we will handle your everyday tasks, from property maintenance and routine tenant check-ups to preparing your rental for the new tenants and managing tenant turnover during the pandemic. Our team is our most valuable asset, as evident by a large number of our happy clients. Get in touch with us today!

Many landlords have suffered significant loss of income because of the COVID-19 pandemic since many tenants were unable to pay their rents. As a result, they could not invest in their properties, have faced difficulties paying taxes, and were left with reduced incomes. Although the plight of tenants has received much more publicity, the problems some landlords are facing are no less formidable. California has adopted legislation to protect tenants and small landlords from the financial distress caused by COVID-19 pandemic effects.

To get a better understanding of how the pandemic may affect your property in La Jolla, CA, you can always contact a reputable property manager. Read on to find out more about the effects of the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act on landlords. 

What is the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act? 

The State of California has enacted several pieces of legislation with the aim of protecting the tenants in rented homes (but also landlords) from the most drastic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fact that about 66% of African Americans, 56% of Latinos, 41% of Asians, and 37% of whites are renters, leaves them vulnerable and therefore at risk of eviction.

Through the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act, the State has secured that tenants cannot be evicted due to non-payment of rent throughout the duration of the pandemic, provided they have delivered to their landlord a declaration of COVID-19-related financial distress within 15 days after being served with a notice to quit by the landlord. The second precondition for protection of eviction for that debt is if they paid 25% of any rent due. These protections are valid till September 30, 2021.

What does the act mean for landlords?

The primary purpose of CTRA is the protection of tenants who are negatively affected by the COVID 19 pandemic. However, the State Legislature has tried to adopt a more holistic approach by providing certain forms of protection and relief to affected landlords who are currently unable to collect the full contracted amount of rent and are obliged to offer deferred payment of up to 75% of the rent.

In an effort to take the financial burden off from property owners and prevent foreclosures, CTRA has granted a one-year forbearance to small landlords with properties of up to four units (non-owner occupied), extending the anti-foreclosure protections from the Homeowners’ Bill of Rights to small landlords impacted by COVID-19 until September 1, 2021. This is achieved through new accountability and transparency provisions to protect small landlord borrowers who request CARES-compliant forbearance.

CTRA has also allowed the small claims court to have jurisdiction until February 1, 2025, for any case seeking unpaid rental payments due between March 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021. This is applied even to cases where the amount sought is more than the $5,000/$10,000 limit and even if the landlord has already brought two cases seeking more than $2,500 in the past year. 

Prior to CTRA, state law prohibited lawsuits from being brought in small claims court that sought payment of money amounting to more than $5,000. Cases that exceeded these limits had to be brought in regular civil court actions. Additionally, a person was prohibited from bringing more than two small claims cases that sought more than $2,500 in a year.

We set the standard for La Jolla, CA, property managers

Are you currently dealing with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic? You may be in need of some assistance. At Lofty Property Management, we offer a comprehensive set of property management services, from daily maintenance and tenant issues, to assisting with rental turnovers and preparing a rental between tenants.

Whether your property is near the Salk Institute or another part of San Diego, reach out to our dedicated team today. We are here to help!

When people think of landlords and what their duties consist of, most probably think that all they do is collect rent. This of course couldn’t be further from the truth. A landlord has many responsibilities when dealing with tenants. 

Landlords play many roles. Their day-to-day jobs can vary, from being a repairman and negotiator to being supervisor and realtor. These tasks can be stressful and are the primary reason why landlords hire professionals to help them with property management in La Jolla and nearby areas. Of course, it’s advisable to know what these duties actually entail. 

What are the responsibilities of a landlord?

Whether you’re a newbie leasing their first unit or an experienced landlord looking to expand their business, your rental property is your asset. In order to get the most out of your investment, these are the responsibilities any successful landlord should perform.

Provide habitable housing 

The fundamental responsibility that a landlord has is to provide a habitable place for the tenant to live in. Habitable means that the rental must be structurally stable and equipped with adequate heat and electric facilities. 

So, ensure that your unit comes with properly installed ventilation and provide your tenants with dependable hot and cold water systems. Regardless of the lease agreement, an implied warranty of habitability is an inherent right given to tenants, a right to a safe, clean, and peaceful living space.

Maintain the property and repair damages

Before you hand over the keys to the rental unit, as a landlord, you should make sure to repair all damages left from the previous unit occupant. It’s useful for landlords to keep timely and precise records of the unit’s repairs to avoid any possible conflict with new tenants.

Regardless of the rental unit’s occupancy, a landlord is required to maintain their property. This may includes multiple tasks such as: 

• Regular inspections for signs of mold 
• Checking if smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work properly.
• Making sure all common areas, such as the laundry room or garage, are clean and hazard-free.

What are the legal responsibilities of a landlord?

The rights of landlords are well protected under a series of laws, statutes, and other federal, state, or local regulations. On the other hand, landlords undertake a whole list of legal obligations when entering a rental agreement. These landlord-tenant laws exist to serve as a blueprint for both landlords’ and tenants’ interactions, rights, and responsibilities. 

Comply with anti-discrimination laws

Landlords must be aware of fair housing laws requirements. They must abide by them when advertising their property or interviewing and selecting tenants. You cannot discriminate against or evict tenants based on their race, sex, religion, sex, or national origin.  

Sign lease or rental agreement

The rental agreement or lease sets out the contractual basis of the landlord-tenant relationship. It must contain the most important details such as the lease duration, amount of rent, security, termination dates and clauses, and other legally prescribed disclosures.

Know the rules to security deposits

In order to avoid any potential legal disputes, the security deposits must be set in clear terms. You must define the amount, rules for their return, and their purpose. Landlords should follow state and local regulations regarding security deposits.

Get acquainted with the perks of hiring a trusted property management experts in La Jolla  

Do you want to relieve yourself of the stress of everyday landlord duties? One of the primary benefits of hiring a property manager in La Jolla and across San Diego is that it will save you the headache of time-consuming landlord responsibilities. 

 

Here at Lofty Property Management, we will handle your everyday tasks, from property maintenance and routine tenant check-ups to legal issues that might arise. Our team is our most valuable asset, as evident by a large number of our happy clients.

Improve your quality of life and reap the rewards of our team’s work! Get in touch with us today!

As a rental unit becomes available, a landlord’s primary goal is for a new tenant to move in as soon as possible. The longer the vacancy, the longer the turnover time and, therefore, loss of profit. 

This is precisely why property management companies in La Jolla or any of the surrounding areas are essential in helping landlords run their units. They relieve them of the day-to-day handling of landlord tasks such as helping out with certain repairs and facilitating the turnover. 

What does a landlord have to do before a new tenant moves in?

If you only have a few days before a new tenant moves in, you should consider keeping a checklist of issues that must be taken care of beforehand. The move to a new rental unit can, and usually is, stressful for all parties. Making sure things run smoothly will make the transition from one tenant to the next easier. 

Before you turn over the keys to your rental unit, you should handle the following five repairs: 

1. Damage repair and health & safety protocols

A landlord’s primary focus is to keep good maintenance of their property. Before a new tenant moves in, you should make sure there’s no property damage left from the previous tenants and no existing health and safety issues in the unit.  

Be sure to check:

• Walls for any holes or signs of deterioration.
• Windows to see if they open and close properly.
• All doors and their locking systems. 

Additionally, when moving into a new property, tenants want to feel protected. Therefore landlords should always emphasize their health and safety. Ensure that the unit’s security alarms are on and that the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Check for possible mold and be mindful of any lead hazards. 

2. Rental unit cleaning

Whether you’re renting your apartment for the first time or doing a unit turnover, you will have to put great effort into making the place spotless for the upcoming move-in. Most of this should be done by the previous tenant, but double-checking, or in this case, double cleaning is always best.

3. Inspection of the systems and utilities

Next on the list is inspecting the functioning of various systems in your rental unit. Check if the heating system works in all the rooms. Make sure sinks and faucets work and that there are no clogs in the plumbing structure. Turn on all utilities and lights to inspect if any of them need changing.

4. Changing the locks

With a new tenant moving in, make sure they’re given a new set of keys. This means changing the locks, as you will not want the previous tenant being able to potentially enter the unit once they have moved out. This way, you will protect yourself from possible liability and keep the new tenant safe.

5. Singing the lease

This is one of the most important items on any landlord’s checklist. You will want to do an in-person meeting with the tenant. Go over the lease agreement in detail with the new tenant so they are aware of the terms and conditions and what they’re signing. 

Contact one of the most dependable property management companies in La Jolla

There are numerous reasons why landlords use property managers in their dealings with tenants and operating their renting property in La Jolla. Here at Lofty Property Management, our goal is to facilitate the rental process for our clients and make their dealings with tenants as easy as possible.

We will guide you through the entire procedure of renting out your unit to new tenants. Taking it one step at a time, we will finish the process successfully. You’ll never again have to worry about property handling, maintenance, and legal issues. Our excellent track record speaks for itself, so don’t hesitate to give us a call today!

Being a landlord can be extremely challenging. Landlords often encounter numerous obstacles that they have to overcome quickly. But the most difficult aspect of being a landlord does not concern expensive repairs and maintenance or even paperwork and legal technicalities.

It is managing tenant relations that can be a source of endless stress and frustration, with the very real prospect of having to go through the complex tenant eviction process hanging over your head. 

That is why many landlords prefer to hire professional property managers and why property management companies in Clairemont Mesa and nearby areas are absolutely meticulous when performing tenant screening. Careful tenant screening is half the battle. So what does the process involve?

What does a tenant screening consist of?

Tenant screening is an intricate step-by-step process. It starts by attracting and shortlisting quality applicants before handpicking individual candidates who best match the selection criteria. The process involves detailed credit report evaluations, criminal background checks, viewing past rental histories and more.

How do you pass a tenant screening process?

The safest way to pass a tenant screening is to be good on paper, which is the first step to getting shortlisted. To be good on paper, a tenant needs to have an excellent credit score, impeccable past rentals history and eviction record, spotless criminal record, etc. 

The next step in the process is typically an in-person interview, during which the applicant will get a chance to make a lasting first impression on the landlord or property manager. This is where another important tenant screening factor comes into play: whether the applicant is cooperative and easy to communicate with. 

Experienced property managers and owners know how to read between the lines, so they are likely to scrutinize every aspect of the applicant’s words and behavior.

What puts a tenant at risk of eviction?

In the state of California, a tenant can be evicted in a diverse range of scenarios, such as if the tenant:

• fails to pay the rent when rent is due
• violates the lease or rental agreement and refuses to fix the problem, such as keeping a pet when pets are not allowed
• commits waste, which is defined as inflicting material damage to the property resulting in lower property value
• Interferes with other tenants substantially, such as disturbing other tenants and neighbors while ignoring the manager’s or landlord’s requests to stop
• uses the property for unlawful activities

In many cities, a tenant will also be evicted if they stay at the property although their lease is up

or the landlord has already presented them with a proper notice, thereby canceling the rental agreement.

While it is customary for a landlord to terminate tenancy simply by issuing a 30 or 60 days’ advance written notice, in the scenarios listed above, a tenant may receive a 3-day notice.

Unfortunately, however careful you are, there is a risk that a tenant will break the rules and that eviction will be your only option. This is why careful tenant screening is absolutely necessary in the real estate rental world. Professional property managers typically rely on a streamlined, automated process to perform tenant screening and protect the owners’ interests. 

Contact one of the leading property management companies in Clairemont Mesa

As a reputable property management company serving Clairemont Mesa and other areas across San Diego, we have a responsibility to you. In addition to full-service property management, you can count on us to provide an easily accessible, responsive customer service. 

Our proven system delivers results, and it is to this system that we owe our high success rate and our large base of clients. We will do everything in our power to save you time and boost your revenue by connecting you with reasonable, cooperative tenants who will be in it for the long haul and handling tenant relations on your behalf.

Are you ready to find out what this means for you and why investing in property management services is a worthwhile decision? Contact us today!