Customer Rating: Summary: Possibly a good guide for tenants, too. Comment: I actually got this book as a tenant, not a landlord, in order to be aware of the rights and obligations of both parties while renting or leasing. After hearing about a few scrapes and lost security deposits from friends over the years (and not wanting the same happening to me), I think that every renter should at least have access to a book like this.
The guide seems easy enough to read straight through -- but it's doubtful whether anyone who's a renter would want to do that casually. However, with a specific, hypothetical problem in mind, I was able to quickly locate the section of the book that deals with it... and in the process of browsing, I also discovered that I don't think I ever want to be a landlord! Customer Rating: Summary: Comprehensive Comment: I was impressed with how comprehensive this guide was. It covers almost any situation you might find yourself in for any part of the rental process. One of the things guides like this usually fail on is noting the differences in laws between states, but this one always covers the differences, and even has an appendix referencing general statutes numbers in case you want to seek out the actual law text.
I've been renting out property for several years, and reading this book, I came across things I wish I had known at the outset. If you're a landlord, or plan to get investment property, I highly recommend picking up this book. Customer Rating: Summary: Helpful Legal Guide Comment: I'm a person that has several Houses and apartment complexes that I rent out and from time to time there are legal questions that come up and having this wonderful book,I can find answers to many of my questions and I don't have to cough up the $$$'s for some attorneys opinion. Included with this book is a cd-rom that has more than 30 legal forms on it that I can print out when I need them. This is one fantastic book that answers many of my questions and I plan on keeping this and future editions handy for when I need the help...FANTASTIC BOOK! Customer Rating: Summary: Excellent reference book for every landlord Comment: I have been interested in rental investment for a while. With that, I am very active in educating myself rental related subjects. The real-estate section of Sunday Mercury newspaper has a page covers rental related issues. Readers mail in their situations for help, and the experts provide guidances. From time to time, I did see some tricky situations that requires experts' help. However, majority of the rental problems could have been handled or even prevented if the landlords have read some basic rental related books.
Nolo's "Every Landlord's Legal Guide" is one of the most comprehensive book for non-commercial rental property owners. While trying to be comprehensive, this book, in my opinions, is more on general-rule-of-thumb side. Reading this books can educate yourself the rule-of-thumb practices in rental business. There are quite some similar books on this subject, but this book stands out due to following:
1. It's comprehensive in legal related issues.
2. It uses plain English to explain legal terms.
3. Almost for each subject, tips and easy pifalls are provided with examples.
4. Well organized with excellent index. Finding any specific subject is easy.
5. The enclosed CD covers most of the common used forms.
In summary, this is a book worth your money and time now, and it will save your money and time in the future.
Customer Rating: Summary: Every Landlord & Tenant Needs this Guide Comment: The 9th Edition of Nolo "Every Landlord's Legal Guide," is a fabulous resource for tenants as well as landlords. I own no rental properties, but am on my Condo Board of Directors, so I thought this would be helpful for the information which may help some of our landlords who find themselves in sticky situations. I was mesmerized by this book, moving from one section to another, unable to put it away and go to sleep last night. Issues like lead, mold and bedbugs are addressed, as are use limitations and Federal versus State regulations. The index is excellent and the organization is superb, easy to access and geared for the layperson but also usable by the trained legal mind. As a tenant, one could save money by learning about their legal rights and options, simply by reading a section on that topic, so I would even recommend the small investment in this book for a person who knows they will not be buying property. If you live in a multi-family building like an apartment or condo complex, you can understand your neighborly rights. The included CD offers several forms in the PDF and RTF format and I had no problem accessing or printing them on a Mac. Many forms are in Spanish as well as English. Bottom line -- if you own property and have tenants, you NEED this book even if you have a lawyer!
Whether you have one unit or one hundred, this book will give you the legal and practical information you need to comply with your state's laws, find and keep good tenants, and avoid legal trouble.
A Nolo bestseller, Every Landlord's Legal Guide shows you how to:
*screen and choose prospective tenants *write a legal rental agreement or lease *hire a property manager *deal with problem tenants *understand repair, maintenance and security responsibilities *avoid lawsuits *comply with laws regarding security deposits, privacy, discrimination, senior housing, habitability and much more
The completely revised 7th edition provides updated state-by-state legal charts on everything from security deposit rules to termination for nonpayment of rent. All forms provided as tear-outs and on CD-ROM.
