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Glossary

Glossary of terms

Overwhelmed with property investing terminology? Azibo is here to help. We have curated an extensive list of all words and phrases related to real estate and property investing.

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Addendum

Addendums are essential in real estate, adding terms to existing contracts for clarity and flexibility without changing the original agreement.

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Affordability Analysis

Affordability analysis is a comprehensive evaluation of a buyer's financial health, including income, liabilities, and available funds, against the backdrop of the purchase price, mortgage terms, property taxes, insurance, and any homeowners' association (HOA) fees. 

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Amenities

Explore how amenities boost property appeal, tenant satisfaction, and investment returns in real estate.

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Arrears Management

Explore the definition of arrears management in rental property management, along with its importance for maintaining cash flow, and effective strategies for managing late rent payments.

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Available Units

Managing available units—vacant properties ready for lease—is key for real estate success, impacting occupancy rates, income, and property value through strategic marketing and maintenance.

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Average Daily Rate (ADR)

The Average Daily Rate (ADR) is key in property management, indicating average rental income per unit to guide pricing and performance strategies, with strategic management boosting revenue and market competitiveness.

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Balance Sheet

A financial overview of assets, liabilities, and equity for a business or property, capturing its financial state at a specific time.

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Base Rent

The minimum rent under a lease, not including percentage rent, escalations, or other charges.

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Break Clause

Discover the definition and importance of a break clause in lease agreements, offering flexibility and protection for both tenants and landlords in property management.

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Broker

A person or company licensed to buy, sell, exchange, or lease real property for others and to charge a fee for these services.

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Building Code

Local government regulations detailing construction and maintenance standards for buildings to ensure safety and health.

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Building Permit

A legal document issued by a government authority that allows the construction, renovation, or major alteration of a building.

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Capital expenditure (CapEx)

Funds used by a company to acquire, upgrade, and maintain physical assets such as property or equipment.

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Cash Flow

The net amount of cash being transferred into and out of a property, particularly in terms of income generated by the property minus the expenses of managing it.

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Certificate of Occupancy

Certificate of Occupancy - A document issued by a local government agency or building department certifying a building's compliance with applicable building codes and other laws, and indicating it to be in a condition suitable for occupancy.

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Co-Tenancy Clause

Explore the importance of a co-tenancy clause in commercial leases, how it protects tenants from the impact of changes in tenant mix, and strategies for effectively negotiating these clauses.

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Commercial Real Estate

Commercial Real Estate - Property used solely for business purposes, such as offices, malls, retail stores, and factories, as opposed to residential real estate.

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Credit Check

A review of a tenant's credit history by a landlord or property manager to assess their reliability in paying rent.

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Damage Deposit

Explore the definition and role and management of damage deposits in rental property management, including benefits, legal requirements, and strategies for handling security funds effectively.

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Default

Default is the failure of a tenant to meet the terms of the lease agreement, commonly referring to the non-payment of rent. Default can lead to eviction proceedings.

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Delinquency Rate

Explore how managing delinquency rates is important in rental property management for maintaining financial stability and ensuring tenant compliance

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Depreciation

Depreciation is the process of allocating the cost of tangible assets over their useful lives, reflecting wear and tear, obsolescence, or age.

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Dual Agency

In rental contexts, dual agency occurs when a single real estate agent or property manager represents both the property owner and the tenant. Transparency and consent are required from both parties.

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Due Diligence

Due diligence is the comprehensive appraisal of a property or business by a prospective buyer or tenant, aiming to establish its assets and liabilities and evaluate its commercial potential. This often involves reviewing financial records, legal documents, and physical condition.

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Early Termination Fee

Explore the definition, benefits and strategies of implementing early termination fees in lease agreements to manage financial risks and maintain lease stability in property management.

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Effective Rent

Effective rent is key for property managers and investors to evaluate the real cost of leases, considering concessions, aiding in competitive pricing strategies.

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Equity

Equity reflects the value that property owners have in their properties, critical for understanding financial standing and making informed decisions about refinancing or selling.

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Escrow

Escrow ensures funds are managed and released when contract terms are met, playing a key role in property sales, lease agreements, and renovations.

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Eviction

Eviction is a fundamental aspect of property management, understanding the legal process of eviction is essential for dealing with non-compliant tenants.

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Expense Ratio

Learn about the importance of the expense ratio in rental property management, how it is calculated, and strategies to improve property profitability.

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Fair Housing Act

Understand the Fair Housing Act, a vital piece of U.S. civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination in housing based on specific protected characteristics, ensuring equal access to housing opportunities for all.

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Fiduciary Duty

Explore the role of fiduciary duty in property management, ensuring managers prioritize client interests and maintain integrity.

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Financial Leverage

Explore how financial leverage boosts real estate investment returns by using borrowed capital to enhance property value and ROI.

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First Right of Refusal

Discover how the First Right of Refusal in real estate gives tenants and investors a priority option to purchase or lease property.

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Fixed Expenses

Learn how fixed expenses impact property management, ensuring profitability and financial stability in real estate.

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Fixture

Understand the role of fixtures in real estate to clarify property rights, enhance valuations, and prevent disputes in transactions.

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Gentrification

Explore the definition and complexities of gentrification, a process that revitalizes neighborhoods but can lead to social debates and displacement.

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Gross Lease

Discover the definition, benefits and structure of a gross lease in real estate.

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Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM)

Explore the Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM), a key real estate valuation tool, to understand its role in investment analysis, portfolio management, and financial planning.

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Ground Lease

Explore the strategic role of ground leases in commercial real estate, offering developers a way to undertake projects without owning land.

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Guarantor

Discover the definition and role of guarantors in property management, offering financial security for landlords and supporting tenants in meeting lease requirements.

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Gentrification

Explore the definition and complexities of gentrification, a process that revitalizes neighborhoods but can lead to social debates and displacement.

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Gross Lease

Discover the definition, benefits and structure of a gross lease in real estate.

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Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM)

Explore the Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM), a key real estate valuation tool, to understand its role in investment analysis, portfolio management, and financial planning.

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Ground Lease

Explore the strategic role of ground leases in commercial real estate, offering developers a way to undertake projects without owning land.

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Guarantor

Discover the definition and role of guarantors in property management, offering financial security for landlords and supporting tenants in meeting lease requirements.

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HELOC- Home Equity Line of Credit

Explore how a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) can provide flexible and cost-effective financing solutions for property management and real estate investment activities.

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HOA Management

HOA Management involves overseeing community associations to ensure compliance with rules and enhancing well-being in condos and developments.

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HUD Guidelines

Ensure rental property compliance with HUD's fair housing, safety, and subsidized housing standards to avoid legal risks and penalties.

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Habitability

Habitability ensures rental properties are safe, meeting legal standards for water, heating, cooling, and structure integrity for tenant well-being.

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Holdover Tenant

Learn the definition of a holdover tenant and discover strategies for effectively managing tenants who remain in a rental unit after their lease has expired.

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Housing Regulations Compliance

Housing regulation compliance–ensure legal rental operations by adhering to housing laws on fair housing, rent control, and evictions.

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Income Property

Explore income property as a key real estate investment, offering steady cash flow and appreciation potential. Learn strategies for optimizing returns and managing properties effectively.

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Indemnity

Explore the importance of indemnity clauses in rental agreements, ensuring financial protection for landlords and tenants by outlining compensation responsibilities for losses or damages.

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Inspection

An inspection is a fundamental process in property management, critical for maintaining property condition and handling transitions between tenants.

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Insurance

Insurance is crucial for property management, ensuring that both property owners and renters have protection against potential losses or damages.

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Inventory

An inventory is Important in the management of rental properties, particularly in documenting the condition and contents of a property at the start and end of tenancies to manage deposits and maintenance.

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Investment Property

An investment property is directly related to the core business of property investors, this term defines properties acquired for the purpose of earning returns through rent or appreciation.

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Joint Tenancy

A joint summary is a form of ownership where two or more people own property together, with equal rights to the whole property and a right of survivorship.

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Joint Venture (JV)

A joint venture is a business arrangement where two or more parties agree to pool their resources for the purpose of accomplishing a specific task, such as developing a property. This is often used in real estate to share the costs, risks, rewards, and expertise involved in large projects.

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Joint and Several Liability

Join and several liability is a legal term describing the liability that tenants or parties have when they are individually and collectively responsible for the full amount of a debt or claim.

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Judicial Foreclosure

Judicial forclosure is a type of foreclosure process that involves a court proceeding. This term is crucial for property managers and investors dealing with properties under financial distress, as it outlines the legal steps required to foreclose on a property when a mortgage loan is defaulted.

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Jumbo Loan

A jumbo loan is a type of financing that exceeds the limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), often used to purchase high-priced or luxury properties.

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Just Cause Evictions

Explore the concept of just cause eviction, its importance in protecting tenant rights, and the procedures landlords must follow to ensure fair and legal evictions in rental property management.

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Kick Out Clause

A kick out clause is a clause in a lease agreement that allows either the landlord or the tenant to break the lease under specific conditions, such as the landlord needing to sell the property or the tenant needing to relocate for work.

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Landlord

A landlord owns rental property, rents out space to tenants, and ensures it meets safety and housing regulations.

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Late Fee

Implement late fees to encourage on-time rent, detailed in leases and aligned with laws for effective property management.

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Lease Agreements

A lease agreement outlines the duration, rent, and duties of each party in a tenant-landlord relationship, specifying terms for property occupancy.

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Lease Renewal

Master tenant retention with strategic lease renewal practices, blending communication, market insight, and incentives to encourage prolonged tenancy and stable rental income.

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Leasehold Estate

Explore the concept of leasehold estates in property management, including key benefits, management tips, and the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords.

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Liability Insurance

Protect rental properties with liability insurance, offering legal and financial safety against claims, ensuring peace of mind for landlords and tenants.

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Maintenance

Maintenance is fundamental to property management, encompassing the necessary actions to keep a property in good condition or to restore it to a functioning state.

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Management Fee

A management fee directly relates to the operational costs of property management, covering the compensation for managing the day-to-day tasks of a property.

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Market Rent

Market rent is crucial for setting competitive rental rates, it reflects the current rent levels that could be expected in the open market for similar properties.

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Mitigation of Damages

Learn about the importance of mitigation of damages in rental property management, including strategies for minimizing financial loss and ensuring fair treatment in tenant disputes.

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Move-in/Move-out Inspection

A move-in/ move-out inspection is Important for documenting the condition of a rental property at the beginning and end of a tenancy, which helps in assessing any damages or changes that may affect security deposits.

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Multi-family Property

Multi-family property is relevant in property management, particularly when dealing with residential buildings that house multiple tenants under one roof.

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Negligence

Explore the definition and concept of negligence in rental property management, including how it differs from normal wear and tear, the potential consequences for tenants, and tips for landlords on handling negligence effectively.

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Net Operating Income (NOI)

Learn the definition and how Net Operating Income (NOI) is used to assess real estate profitability, how it is calculated, and why it's a vital metric for property management and investment decisions

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Non-refundable Deposit

Explore the definition, function and benefits of non-refundable deposits in rental agreements, including how they simplify property management and the move-out process for tenants and landlords.

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Normal Wear and Tear

Understand the distinction between normal wear and tear and damage in rental properties to manage security deposits fairly and maintain positive landlord-tenant relations.

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Notice of Entry

Learn about the importance of notice of entry in rental property management, including legal requirements, benefits, and best practices for balancing tenant privacy and landlord rights.

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Notice to Vacate

Learn about the notice to vacate in rental management, it's definition, why it's important, and how it facilitates smooth transitions at the end of a lease for landlords and tenants.

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Occupancy Rate

Discover what occupancy rates mean in rental properties and how they serve as a crucial metric in assessing performance , influencing management and financial strategies.

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Offer to Lease

Explore the definition of an offer to lease in the rental process, including what it should contain, its benefits, and how it differs from the lease agreement.

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Online Payment System

Online payment systems streamline rent collection in property management and offer convenience for tenants and efficiency for property managers through secure, automated processes.

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Operating Expenses

Explore the definition of operating expenses in rental property management, understand what they include, and discover strategies for effective management.

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Option to Renew

Understand the definition of an option to renew clause in lease agreements, its benefits for tenants and landlords, and key considerations for negotiating renewal terms.

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Overdue Rent

Learn about managing overdue rent in rental property management, including strategies for ensuring timely payments, maintaining cash flow, and fostering positive tenant relationships.

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Pet Deposit

Understand the meaning of a pet deposit, how they work, their benefits, and how they protect your rental property in pet-friendly housing.

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Plumbing Maintenance

Learn the importance of plumbing maintenance in rental properties, including benefits, frequency, and common issues it prevents.

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Pre-screening Tenants

Pre-screening is a critical process undertaken by landlords or property managers to assess prospective tenants before leasing a property.

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Property Management

Understand property management, its importance, benefits, and how it influences real estate success.

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Property Tax

Property tax is a local tax levied on real estate owned by individuals and businesses, calculated based on the assessed value of the property.

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Quadruplex

Discover the benefits of investing in a quadruplex, a multi-unit property that maximizes rental income and offers unique management challenges

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Qualifying Ratio

Explore how the qualifying ratio is used to assess tenant financial stability and the importance of this metric in the tenant screening process

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Quarterly Inspection

Learn about the importance of quarterly inspections for rental properties, including benefits, what to check, and compliance considerations.

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Quiet Enjoyment

Understand the covenant of quiet enjoyment, its importance for tenant satisfaction, and the responsibilities it places on landlords.

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Quitclaim Deed

Explore how quitclaim deeds work, their advantages for quick property transfers, and important considerations before use.

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Renovations

Discover the definition and benefits of renovating rental properties, including increased value, improved tenant satisfaction, and tips on planning successful renovations.

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Rent Collection

Learn the definition and importance of effective rent collection in rental property management, including best practices for ensuring timely payments and maintaining cash flow.

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Rental Agreement

Explore the definition and what a rental agreement entails, the different types available, and their role in establishing clear and lawful relationships between landlords and tenants.

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Reserve Fund

Learn the definition and importance of a reserve fund in property management, how it helps in financial planning, and guidelines for setting up and maintaining an effective fund.

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Risk Management

Explore the definition and how risk management protects rental properties by identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to maximize safety, profitability, and legal compliance.

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Screening Process

Tenant screening is the process of evaluating prospective renters through credit checks, employment verification, and rental history reviews to ensure reliability and reduce financial risks. Learn about its importance and benefits in rental property management.

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Security Deposit

Learn about the role and regulations of security deposits in rental management, including how they protect landlords and incentivize tenants to maintain property conditions.

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Service Agreement

Understand the definition and importance of service agreements in rental property management, including key components and benefits, to ensure efficient and reliable property maintenance.

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Subletting

Learn about managing subletting in rental properties, including benefits, necessary agreements, and tips for ensuring a smooth and compliant tenant transfer.

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Tenancy Agreement

Tenancy agreement is a contract between a landlord and a tenant that specifies the terms and conditions of the rental arrangement, including rent amount, security deposit, duration of tenancy, and responsibilities of both parties.

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Tenant Rights

Tenants’ rights include a safe, habitable home, privacy, and legal protections against unfair evictions, discrimination, and excessive rent practices.

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Tenant Screening

Tenant screening helps landlords assess tenants’ credit, rental history, and sometimes criminal background to ensure they can meet lease obligations reliably

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Triple Net Lease (NNN)

A tripple net lease is a lease agreement where the tenant agrees to pay all real estate taxes, building insurance, and maintenance (the three "nets") on the property in addition to any normal fees that are expected under the agreement (rent, utilities, etc.).

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Turnover Rate

Turnover rate is a metric indicating how often tenants vacate rental properties within a given period, typically a year. High turnover rates can indicate issues with tenant satisfaction or property management.

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Unlawful Detainer

Explore the definition, process, and implications of unlawful detainer in rental property management, along with strategies for managing tenant disputes and legal compliance

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Utility Costs

Explore how utility costs are managed in rental properties, including who typically pays and how costs can impact leasing arrangements.

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Vacancy Rate

Explore the features of variable rate mortgages, including how they work, their benefits and risks, and how they impact financial planning for rental properties.

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Variable Rate Mortgage

Explore the features of variable rate mortgages, including how they work, their benefits and risks, and how they impact financial planning for rental properties.

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Vendor Management

Explore how effective vendor management enhances property maintenance and operations, including tips on selecting and managing third-party service providers.

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Vetting

Understand the importance of vetting potential tenants, including what it entails and how it protects rental property investments."

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Violation Notice

Learn about the role of violation notices in rental management, including how they are used to enforce lease terms and manage tenant behavior.

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Walk-through Inspection

Learn about the importance of walk-through inspections in rental properties, what they include, and how they protect both landlords and tenants.

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Warranty of Habitability

Explore the warranty of habitability, which ensures rental properties are safe and liveable, including landlord responsibilities and tenant rights.

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Wear and Tear

Explore what constitutes wear and tear in rental properties, how to manage it, and the importance of differentiating it from more significant damage

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Withholding Rent

Learn about withholding rent as a legal recourse for tenants when landlords fail to address significant property issues, including steps and legal considerations.

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Yard Maintenance

Learn about yard maintenance responsibilities in rental properties, including who is typically responsible and the benefits of proper upkeep.

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Yearly Lease

Explore the benefits and commitments of a yearly lease in rental agreements, offering stability for both landlords and tenants.

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Yield

Discover how yield in real estate is calculated and why it's a key metric for assessing the profitability of property investments.

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Zoning Laws

Learn about zoning laws, how they impact real estate development, and the importance of understanding these regulations for property investment and use.

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