American landlord: everything U need to know about property management

IntroductionChapter 1: Becoming an American Landlord: To Be or Not to Be. . .?Inheriting PropertyRelocating TemporarilyUpsizing and DownsizingInvesting for the First TimeChapter 2: Preparing Your Rental Property: Tips to Entice the HerdCurb AppealThe KitchenBathroomsInterior PaintingFlooringChapter 3: Advertising Your Vacancy: How to Avoid Spending a Fistful of Dollars!Yard SignsFlyersWord-of-Mouth ReferralsNewspapers and Real Estate PublicationsHow to Write a Classified AdHow to Use the Internet to Attract TenantsTenant Placement AgentsChapter 4: Tenant Screening, Part I: The Information RoundupThe Rental ApplicationAsking the Right QuestionsAcknowledgment and AuthorizationCharging an Application FeeProper IdentificationChapter 5: Tenant Screening, Part II: The Dreaded Credit ReportGetting Access to a Tenant's Credit ReportHow to Read and Interpret a Credit Report (sample included)Personal InformationEmployment InformationScoring (Credit Score)Credit SummaryPublic RecordsCollectionsRevolving AccountsInstallment AccountsMortgage AccountsInquiriesChapter 6: Tenant Screening, Part III: Determining Credit "Worthiness"The Importance of the Credit ScoreThe Credit Summary (including How to Deal with Identity Theft)The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)FCRA Definition of a Consumer ReportFCRA Definition of an Adverse ActionThe Adverse Action Notice (Statement of Credit Denial)Non-Compliance with the FCRAThe FCRA Summary of RightsHow to Get Your Own Free Credit Report-For Real!Chapter 7: Tenant Screening, Part IV: Eviction RecordsThe Eviction ProcessEviction Record SampleWhere to Find ThemChapter 8: Tenant Screening, Part V: Criminal RecordsU S Department of Justice StatisticsCriminal Record SampleFelonies and MisdemeanorsThe Clerk of the CourtGovernment WebsitesProfessional ResearchChapter 9: Tenant Screening, Part VI: Verifications and ReferencesEmployersLandlordsFriends, Family and OthersChapter 10: Tenant Screening, Part VII: Wrangling Common ScenariosDivorceMedical CollectionsBankruptcyForeclosureNo Credit ScoreNo Credit HistoryChapter 11: Tenant Screening, Part VIII: Turning Away the HerdMaking a Business Decision (including How to Deal with Denial Anxiety)Notifying the ApplicantProtecting YourselfChapter 12: Lease Agreement, Part I: "Must-Have" ClausesSample Lease AgreementSubject of LeaseTerm of LeaseMonthly RentalSecurity DepositNumber of OccupantsAssignment and SublettingShowing Property for RentEntry for Inspection, Repairs and AlterationsRedecoration and AlterationsTaxes and UtilitiesMaintenance and RepairsPets and AnimalsWaste, Nuisance or Unlawful UseLessee's Holding OverRedelivery of PremisesDefaultDestruction of Premises and Eminent DomainDelay in or Impossibility of Delivery of PossessionBinding EffectGoverning LawAttorney FeesEntire AgreementModification of AgreementParagraph HeadingsChapter 13: Lease Agreement, Part II: AddendumsPets and AnimalsOption to PurchaseSublease (The Practice of Subletting)Modification of LeaseChapter 14: Maintaining and Repairing Your Rental: The Key to ProsperityPreventative MaintenanceBe Prepared - Something Inevitably Goes Wrong!Do-It-YourselfContractor and Vendor RelationsChapter 15: Landlord Insurance: Protecting More Than Just Your PropertyIs Insurance Necessary?Choosing Policy CoverageGoing Above and Beyond with an Umbrella PolicyHow to Minimize Your LiabilityGetting a Free QuoteChapter 16: Move 'Em In, Move 'Em Out:A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words and Dollars!Assessment of Condition ChecklistRetaining or Returning a Security DepositChapter 17: Non-Owner Occupied Financing:Why the Title (Deed) Should Be in Your NameYour Personal CreditIncome and Asset RequirementsMortgage ProgramsGetting a Free QuoteConclusionAppendix A: Section 8: Government Assisted Tenant-Based HousingA Brief History of Public Housing AssistanceHousing Choice Voucher ProgramResponsibilities of Everyone InvolvedHow to Get StartedHousing Quality Standards InspectionTenancy Addendum for Lease AgreementHousing Assistance Payments (HAP) ContractScreening Housing Assisted TenantsAppendix B: Section 8 Forms and Agreements: Housing Choice Voucher ProgramRequest for Tenancy ApprovalHousing Quality Standards InspectionTenancy Addendum for Lease AgreementTenancy Addendum for Lease Agreement (Manufactured Homes)Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) ContractHousing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract (Manufactured Homes)Appendix C: Landlord-Tenant Laws: A Summary of State GuidelinesReturned Check FeesSecurity Deposit LimitsDeadlines for Returning Security DepositsNotice of Entry RequirementsLate FeesAppendix D: Rental Forms and Agreements: Miscellaneous Tools of the TradeRental Application (single)Rental Application (co-tenants)Co-Signer/Guarantor ApplicationVerification of Employment (VOE)Verification of Rent (VOR)Statement of Credit DenialLease AgreementModification of LeaseSublease AgreementAssignment of LeaseOption to PurchasePet AgreementAssessment of ConditionProperty Management AgreementResidential Sales ContractQuit-Claim DeedAppendix E: Government Forms and Publications: Landlord ResponsibilitiesLead-Based Paint DisclosureLead-Based Paint PamphletFCRA Summary of RightsAppendix F: Bonus CD-ROM: The American Landlord Resource CenterInstallation InstructionsTerms of UseHow to Personalize a Rental FormThe End ResultIndex