New law taking effect on January 1st, 2011 relative to posting Handicap Parking signage.
The law, passed on July 6th, 2010, establishes a penalty of $250.00 for failure to affix a sign to each designated Handicap or Disabled parking space on either public or private property. RSA 265:73-a Parking Signs; Disabled, states:
265:73-a Parking Signs; Disabled. A parking space on private or public property that is reserved for persons who are disabled shall be marked by a sign affixed to a post or a building. Said sign shall be clearly visible to anyone directly approaching that particular space. Failure to comply with the sign placement requirements of this section shall subject the property owner to a $250 fine, provided that the owner shall not be fined more than once in any 120-day period for the same violation.
Property owners and landlords should be aware that they are responsible for posting appropriate signage and assuring that it is in place after snow removal operations on their properties have ceased.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Revised IRS 1099 Requirements for Landlords
NOTE: This is a revised version of a previous eNews bearing the same title.
Please disregard the previous version, as this one includes updated information.
December 22, 2010
New IRS 1099 Requirements for Landlords
Click here for a short NAR podcast containing further details regarding the change. Starting in 2011, there is a new tax requirement for landlords. All landlords who receive $600 or more in rent for the year must send a 1099 to all service providers that the landlord paid $600 or more during the year, such as plumbers, carpenters, yard services or repair people.
The new requirement applies to owners of both residential and commercial property. Prior to 2011, this requirement had only applied to those involved in full-time property management, but now the requirement covers all types of landlords.
Landlords will need to gather federal tax ID numbers from service providers in order to file the 1099s. Failure to file the 1099s with the IRS can result in fines of $50per 1099 not filed. In 2012, these requirements will expand to cover providers of goods to landlords.
NAR actively opposed this change in the law and is working with others to have this requirement repealed or otherwise modified. Congress took this action in order to assure that income paid to contractors can be verified through a Section 1099. To read more about the history of the law as well as the actions NAR has taken to oppose this change in the law, click here:
Please disregard the previous version, as this one includes updated information.
December 22, 2010
New IRS 1099 Requirements for Landlords
Click here for a short NAR podcast containing further details regarding the change. Starting in 2011, there is a new tax requirement for landlords. All landlords who receive $600 or more in rent for the year must send a 1099 to all service providers that the landlord paid $600 or more during the year, such as plumbers, carpenters, yard services or repair people.
The new requirement applies to owners of both residential and commercial property. Prior to 2011, this requirement had only applied to those involved in full-time property management, but now the requirement covers all types of landlords.
Landlords will need to gather federal tax ID numbers from service providers in order to file the 1099s. Failure to file the 1099s with the IRS can result in fines of $50per 1099 not filed. In 2012, these requirements will expand to cover providers of goods to landlords.
NAR actively opposed this change in the law and is working with others to have this requirement repealed or otherwise modified. Congress took this action in order to assure that income paid to contractors can be verified through a Section 1099. To read more about the history of the law as well as the actions NAR has taken to oppose this change in the law, click here:
Friday, December 10, 2010
Landlords Say They Lose Thousands To Bad Tenants
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Landlords call it a growing problem in a down economy -- tenants getting evicted and never paying their back rent.
Some said the overdue money is nearly impossible to get back, causing some landlords to call for laws to be changed.
"To me, it's like a theft," said landlord Thomas Rudinsky. "They basically stole the money."
Rudinsky said an eviction can take months by the time a tenant is legally thrown out of an apartment and ordered to pay overdue rent. He said the tenant can then disappear, and it falls on the landlord to pay a collection agency.
"It becomes good money after bad money," he said. "You could spend $1,000 to collect $1,500."
Even if they're found, many of the delinquent tenants admit in court that they don't have the money, landlords said. By law, someone can't be forced to pay a debt that the person can't afford, so many landlords said they don't try.
"The goal is, if they don't pay rent, to get them out," said Ronald Dupont of Red Oak Apartment Homes. "Very kindly, very compassionately."
Dupont said he rents almost 1,000 apartments through his Manchester company. Each year, he said, he loses $60,000 to $80,000 in unpaid back rent.
"Once they leave, they just leave," he said. "I don't bother with it 99.9 percent of the time."
According to the New Hampshire Property Owners Association, the economy has caused more evictions and more unpaid rent. The group said it wants the court system to do more to enforce orders that tenants pay up.
"A judge is entitled to bring them up on contempt charges and jail them if they do not pay," said Debbie Valente of the NH Property Owners Association. "They don't enforce that at all."
Valente said that for some tenants, that's a license to scam. She said they're called "career tenants" -- tenants who will move in, stop paying rent and stretch out the eviction for months of free rent.
"There's no ramifications, no consequences," she said. "So why should a tenant pay?"
Judge Edwin Kelly, head of the district court system, said people are sent to jail for failure to pay, but in most cases, the former tenant is broke, and no action is taken.
Some argue that landlords need to be more careful choosing who they rent to. Landlords can pay for a screening service such as Landlord Connection in Merrimack.
The service weeds out bad applicants through court and credit checks and keeps a list of notorious tenants.
"We had one woman who was so creative," said Jeannine Richardson of Landlord Connection. "She used eight different last names."
But landlords already on the hook said they believe the courts should do more. Rudinsky is pushing for a state law that would require more court help in the collection process.
He said that if the state did more to track down old debts, it would be a boost to the state budget.
If I'm not collecting that back rent, this is lost tax revenue for the state of New Hampshire," he said.
There is no statewide estimate for how much the state loses each year on taxes it would have claimed on rental revenue. But some landlords said the cost can be so much that it drives them out of business.
"We are a necessity to the state," Valente said. "Yet you're breaking us. You're crippling us."
Kelly said he doesn't think there is more the courts can do. He said it's the court's role to issue judgments, not investigate former tenants.
Watch Video here: http://www.wmur.com/money/26079437/detail.html
Some said the overdue money is nearly impossible to get back, causing some landlords to call for laws to be changed.
"To me, it's like a theft," said landlord Thomas Rudinsky. "They basically stole the money."
Rudinsky said an eviction can take months by the time a tenant is legally thrown out of an apartment and ordered to pay overdue rent. He said the tenant can then disappear, and it falls on the landlord to pay a collection agency.
"It becomes good money after bad money," he said. "You could spend $1,000 to collect $1,500."
Even if they're found, many of the delinquent tenants admit in court that they don't have the money, landlords said. By law, someone can't be forced to pay a debt that the person can't afford, so many landlords said they don't try.
"The goal is, if they don't pay rent, to get them out," said Ronald Dupont of Red Oak Apartment Homes. "Very kindly, very compassionately."
Dupont said he rents almost 1,000 apartments through his Manchester company. Each year, he said, he loses $60,000 to $80,000 in unpaid back rent.
"Once they leave, they just leave," he said. "I don't bother with it 99.9 percent of the time."
According to the New Hampshire Property Owners Association, the economy has caused more evictions and more unpaid rent. The group said it wants the court system to do more to enforce orders that tenants pay up.
"A judge is entitled to bring them up on contempt charges and jail them if they do not pay," said Debbie Valente of the NH Property Owners Association. "They don't enforce that at all."
Valente said that for some tenants, that's a license to scam. She said they're called "career tenants" -- tenants who will move in, stop paying rent and stretch out the eviction for months of free rent.
"There's no ramifications, no consequences," she said. "So why should a tenant pay?"
Judge Edwin Kelly, head of the district court system, said people are sent to jail for failure to pay, but in most cases, the former tenant is broke, and no action is taken.
Some argue that landlords need to be more careful choosing who they rent to. Landlords can pay for a screening service such as Landlord Connection in Merrimack.
The service weeds out bad applicants through court and credit checks and keeps a list of notorious tenants.
"We had one woman who was so creative," said Jeannine Richardson of Landlord Connection. "She used eight different last names."
But landlords already on the hook said they believe the courts should do more. Rudinsky is pushing for a state law that would require more court help in the collection process.
He said that if the state did more to track down old debts, it would be a boost to the state budget.
If I'm not collecting that back rent, this is lost tax revenue for the state of New Hampshire," he said.
There is no statewide estimate for how much the state loses each year on taxes it would have claimed on rental revenue. But some landlords said the cost can be so much that it drives them out of business.
"We are a necessity to the state," Valente said. "Yet you're breaking us. You're crippling us."
Kelly said he doesn't think there is more the courts can do. He said it's the court's role to issue judgments, not investigate former tenants.
Watch Video here: http://www.wmur.com/money/26079437/detail.html
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
WMUR-TV to air special about NH Landlords
WMUR-TV (Channel 9) plans to air a segment on Thursday, December 9th 2010 on their 11:00pm news about how the economy has impacted NH Landlords, the low recovery of back rent and damages owed and several other topics of interest.
I was interviewed for the show as well as several landlords around the state. I think it's a good thing to make people aware that landlords aren't as rich as many like to think.
If you miss the show, I will post a link to the segment on Friday.
I was interviewed for the show as well as several landlords around the state. I think it's a good thing to make people aware that landlords aren't as rich as many like to think.
If you miss the show, I will post a link to the segment on Friday.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Landlords attract tenants with free wireless internet
Landlords woo tenants with free Wi-Fi
Nov 07, 2010 (Foster's Daily Democrat - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- When 22-year-old graduate student Eric Pitt needs to check his e-mail or begin online research for college courses while at home, he's getting online for free.
Pitt, who lives in Newmarket, is renting an apartment and has a landlord who is paying for wireless Internet access -- a service more landlords are beginning to offer to entice renters.
"It's a huge cost savings," he said. "I know it's probably about $70 that I'm saving a month." That can go a long way for a student, added Pitt, who is working on his master's degree in business administration at the University of New Hampshire. When he moved from Rhode Island in August, he said, he was sold on the apartment when he saw Internet was included.
"It's definitely a big selling point," he said. "And the signal strength is good. They put in a new router and it's strong. I've got no complaints." Tom Toye, owner of Arthur Thomas Properties, manages Pitt's 12-apartment complex. The idea of installing shared secure Internet for a complex is something Toye has been working on over the last three years.
"The real advantage is cost savings," he said. "If it's something people have to save $50 a month, that's an extra $50 they can use for gas money or insurance." The buildings are provided with one line of broadband shared among tenants. The wireless signal is encrypted and password-protected.
The Newmarket complex is the most recent installation Toye has helped create. The connections are installed at the owner's expense, and rental fees were not adjusted.
"There are two reasons it's a benefit to the owner," Toye said. "It's an amenity for the residential building that keeps the current tenants happy, while giving them less incentive to move on. It also makes it more attractive for new people looking to rent." Paul Bergeron, a spokesman with the National Apartment Association, based in Arlington, Va., agreed that it can be a useful tool for property owners and managers.
"With consumers demanding greater use, better access and more convenience of Internet connectivity at home, apartment owners who are able to offer options and higher bandwidth to residents can gain an advantage in attracting new residents while retaining those who they already have," he said.
Arthur Thomas Properties has tried it in three other properties and said by now, they have worked out the kinks. When signal strength was straining from routers too far away from apartments, they began cascading routers -- connecting one router to another to provide more wireless Internet coverage.
"The biggest trouble we had was trying to get strong signals throughout the buildings because it tends to be multifamily units," Toye said. "We found the routers worked up and down, but not left to right and fixed it." Arthur Thomas complexes that provide free wireless Internet to its tenants also have maintenance request forms online as well as online rental payment options.
According to Toye, he hasn't seen other small complexes providing such services in the area, but student housing in Durham does provide Internet to students. Those buildings are prewired, he said, adding that smaller landlords who use older buildings, have to rework setups.
For landlords offering free wireless, it's been a boost in rental interest, according to Toye.
"Everybody says it's great, because it's expensive to have," he said. "Even cable is expensive. Most people are looking at $100 just for those services. Everybody is trying to save a few bucks, and this works." Jule Holcombe of Dover has been renting out extra space in her home for the last four years. She said she offers free wireless for convenience and to help tenants save money.
"I think it seems ridiculous not to," she said of sharing Internet. "It's one house broken up into three apartments, and it seems ludicrous for three people to pay for wireless when we can split that cost." She said the renters share the passcode for the wireless and in the four years she's been living there, there has only been one time where the connection was disconnected.
"We thought it was an added benefit," she said. "The expense of paying your heat and utility and water -- it all begins to add up."
Nov 07, 2010 (Foster's Daily Democrat - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- When 22-year-old graduate student Eric Pitt needs to check his e-mail or begin online research for college courses while at home, he's getting online for free.
Pitt, who lives in Newmarket, is renting an apartment and has a landlord who is paying for wireless Internet access -- a service more landlords are beginning to offer to entice renters.
"It's a huge cost savings," he said. "I know it's probably about $70 that I'm saving a month." That can go a long way for a student, added Pitt, who is working on his master's degree in business administration at the University of New Hampshire. When he moved from Rhode Island in August, he said, he was sold on the apartment when he saw Internet was included.
"It's definitely a big selling point," he said. "And the signal strength is good. They put in a new router and it's strong. I've got no complaints." Tom Toye, owner of Arthur Thomas Properties, manages Pitt's 12-apartment complex. The idea of installing shared secure Internet for a complex is something Toye has been working on over the last three years.
"The real advantage is cost savings," he said. "If it's something people have to save $50 a month, that's an extra $50 they can use for gas money or insurance." The buildings are provided with one line of broadband shared among tenants. The wireless signal is encrypted and password-protected.
The Newmarket complex is the most recent installation Toye has helped create. The connections are installed at the owner's expense, and rental fees were not adjusted.
"There are two reasons it's a benefit to the owner," Toye said. "It's an amenity for the residential building that keeps the current tenants happy, while giving them less incentive to move on. It also makes it more attractive for new people looking to rent." Paul Bergeron, a spokesman with the National Apartment Association, based in Arlington, Va., agreed that it can be a useful tool for property owners and managers.
"With consumers demanding greater use, better access and more convenience of Internet connectivity at home, apartment owners who are able to offer options and higher bandwidth to residents can gain an advantage in attracting new residents while retaining those who they already have," he said.
Arthur Thomas Properties has tried it in three other properties and said by now, they have worked out the kinks. When signal strength was straining from routers too far away from apartments, they began cascading routers -- connecting one router to another to provide more wireless Internet coverage.
"The biggest trouble we had was trying to get strong signals throughout the buildings because it tends to be multifamily units," Toye said. "We found the routers worked up and down, but not left to right and fixed it." Arthur Thomas complexes that provide free wireless Internet to its tenants also have maintenance request forms online as well as online rental payment options.
According to Toye, he hasn't seen other small complexes providing such services in the area, but student housing in Durham does provide Internet to students. Those buildings are prewired, he said, adding that smaller landlords who use older buildings, have to rework setups.
For landlords offering free wireless, it's been a boost in rental interest, according to Toye.
"Everybody says it's great, because it's expensive to have," he said. "Even cable is expensive. Most people are looking at $100 just for those services. Everybody is trying to save a few bucks, and this works." Jule Holcombe of Dover has been renting out extra space in her home for the last four years. She said she offers free wireless for convenience and to help tenants save money.
"I think it seems ridiculous not to," she said of sharing Internet. "It's one house broken up into three apartments, and it seems ludicrous for three people to pay for wireless when we can split that cost." She said the renters share the passcode for the wireless and in the four years she's been living there, there has only been one time where the connection was disconnected.
"We thought it was an added benefit," she said. "The expense of paying your heat and utility and water -- it all begins to add up."
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Reminder: Free Landlord / Small Business Workshop
Free Landlord / Small Business Workshop
Friday October 22, 2010 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Place: 50 Queen City Ave. Manchester, NH, Community room.
Please RSVP by October 10th to 603-641-2527
Rick Blais (former President of the New Hampshire Property owners Association) invites you and your guests for a fun night out to a free Landlord/Small Business Workshop. Guest speakers will include:
· Tom DeBlois running for State Senate in District 18 against Betsi DeVries
· Jeannine Richardson, President of Landlord Connection, Inc.
· A CPA/Attorney who will discuss 2011 scheduled tax changes
Tom DeBlois is Landlord and Property owner friendly. He is running for State Senate in District 18. He is also looking for votes, financial support and sign locations. He is running against Betsi DeVries an anti-landlord senator that has sponsored laws that are contrary to good property ownership and small business atmosphere. She is an extravagant spender of our tax money and wants you to pay more through the increases of our taxes. Please help him out by going to http://tomdebloisforsenate.com/
Come join us for some great free food and drink and networking with other landlords.
Tom will be able to give you his thoughts on fixing the mess Betsi DeVries has done to our state. And his ideas on how we can improve our state financial situation. Please bring your thought on laws you like to see fixed or added to help keep housing affordable in NH.
Jeannine will be available explain the importance of tenant screening to new landlords as well as answer questions.
We will also have a CPA/ Attorney going over some of the 2011 scheduled changes coming to you the landlord/business owner. Get a heads-up, jump start for all the changes.
They will also be available so you can personally ask them questions.
I look forward to seeing you and catching up with everyone.
Please RSVP by October 10th to 603-641-2527
Place: 50 Queen City Ave. Manchester, NH, Community room.
Friday October 22, 2010 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Parking is also available across the street in the Bakersville school parking lot.
October 6, 2010 3:28 PM
Friday October 22, 2010 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Place: 50 Queen City Ave. Manchester, NH, Community room.
Please RSVP by October 10th to 603-641-2527
Rick Blais (former President of the New Hampshire Property owners Association) invites you and your guests for a fun night out to a free Landlord/Small Business Workshop. Guest speakers will include:
· Tom DeBlois running for State Senate in District 18 against Betsi DeVries
· Jeannine Richardson, President of Landlord Connection, Inc.
· A CPA/Attorney who will discuss 2011 scheduled tax changes
Tom DeBlois is Landlord and Property owner friendly. He is running for State Senate in District 18. He is also looking for votes, financial support and sign locations. He is running against Betsi DeVries an anti-landlord senator that has sponsored laws that are contrary to good property ownership and small business atmosphere. She is an extravagant spender of our tax money and wants you to pay more through the increases of our taxes. Please help him out by going to http://tomdebloisforsenate.com/
Come join us for some great free food and drink and networking with other landlords.
Tom will be able to give you his thoughts on fixing the mess Betsi DeVries has done to our state. And his ideas on how we can improve our state financial situation. Please bring your thought on laws you like to see fixed or added to help keep housing affordable in NH.
Jeannine will be available explain the importance of tenant screening to new landlords as well as answer questions.
We will also have a CPA/ Attorney going over some of the 2011 scheduled changes coming to you the landlord/business owner. Get a heads-up, jump start for all the changes.
They will also be available so you can personally ask them questions.
I look forward to seeing you and catching up with everyone.
Please RSVP by October 10th to 603-641-2527
Place: 50 Queen City Ave. Manchester, NH, Community room.
Friday October 22, 2010 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Parking is also available across the street in the Bakersville school parking lot.
October 6, 2010 3:28 PM
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Renter Readiness Workshop Offered in Manchester
NeighborWorks Greater Manchester, which owns 266 apartments in Manchester, recently developed (with in input from landlords) a Renter Readiness curriculum to teach tenants their rights and responsibilities. The three-hour workshop is taught by two Manchester landlords, Lee LeBlanc and Heather White. Incentivizing your tenants to attend a Renter Readiness workshop will increase your cash flow and property values in one easy step.
Tenants who attend the free landlord-taught Renter Readiness workshop learn to:
· Pay their rent on time, every time, increasing your cash flow
· Maintain their units, reducing your turnover costs
· Report maintenance issues in a timely manner, lowering repair costs
· Stay in their units longer, giving you a more reliable cash flow
The next Renter Readiness workshop will be held Thursday, May 13, from 6-9 p.m. at the Silver Mill Apartments Community Room, 426 Somerville St.
For more information, including ideas on how to incentivize your tenants to attend, contact Will Stewart at 626-4663, ext. 12, or via email at will@nwgm.org.
Tenants who attend the free landlord-taught Renter Readiness workshop learn to:
· Pay their rent on time, every time, increasing your cash flow
· Maintain their units, reducing your turnover costs
· Report maintenance issues in a timely manner, lowering repair costs
· Stay in their units longer, giving you a more reliable cash flow
The next Renter Readiness workshop will be held Thursday, May 13, from 6-9 p.m. at the Silver Mill Apartments Community Room, 426 Somerville St.
For more information, including ideas on how to incentivize your tenants to attend, contact Will Stewart at 626-4663, ext. 12, or via email at will@nwgm.org.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Lead Abatement Workshops
The Landlord Resources Network is very proud to now offer EPA HUD Certified RRP trainings as well as our hall mark "How To Avoid a Lead Abatement Order" workshop.
5/7/10
How to Avoid a Lead Abatement Order 8:00am – 12:00pm
EPA HUD RRP “Certified Lead-Safe Renovator” refresher course 1:00pm – 5:00pm
5/8/10
EPA HUD RRP “Certified Lead-Safe Renovator” Initial (full day) course 8:30 am – 5:30pm
Pre-registration and payment are required to reserve your space.
For more information, see http://landlordconnection.com/signup.html
5/7/10
How to Avoid a Lead Abatement Order 8:00am – 12:00pm
EPA HUD RRP “Certified Lead-Safe Renovator” refresher course 1:00pm – 5:00pm
5/8/10
EPA HUD RRP “Certified Lead-Safe Renovator” Initial (full day) course 8:30 am – 5:30pm
Pre-registration and payment are required to reserve your space.
For more information, see http://landlordconnection.com/signup.html
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
EPA Regulation has been Passed Requiring ALL Contractors to be Certified in Lead Awareness/Control
EPA Regulation has been Passed Requiring ALL Contractors to be Certified in Lead Awareness/Control
http://nhinsider.squarespace.com/blogger-alerts/2010/4/6/epa-regulation-has-been-passed-requiring-all-contractors-to.html
http://nhinsider.squarespace.com/blogger-alerts/2010/4/6/epa-regulation-has-been-passed-requiring-all-contractors-to.html
Sunday, March 7, 2010
April 2010 - Ask the Expert - Lead Paint and Lead Abatement
April 2010 Topic – Lead Paint and Lead Abatement
This month’s expert is Nick Norman, Manager of Landlord Resources Network which specializes in lead paint issues in NH. Nick is a landlord of residential apartments and is a former NH Lead Commission Member representing NH landlords.
Submit any questions you might have for Nick regarding lead paint and lead abatement to screentenants@gmail.com The dealine for submitting questions is March 15th so don't delay.
We will post the Questions and Nick’s Answers on April 1st.
This month’s expert is Nick Norman, Manager of Landlord Resources Network which specializes in lead paint issues in NH. Nick is a landlord of residential apartments and is a former NH Lead Commission Member representing NH landlords.
Submit any questions you might have for Nick regarding lead paint and lead abatement to screentenants@gmail.com The dealine for submitting questions is March 15th so don't delay.
We will post the Questions and Nick’s Answers on April 1st.
How to Avoid A Lead Abatement Order
Nick Norman, Manager
Landlord Resources Network 603-432-5549
office@LandlordResourcesNetwork.com
Member of RPOA, Rental Property Owners Association
Past NH Lead Commission member.
(on the landlord's side)
Since early 2007, I have been extremely active in the lead paint issue, served for a year on the NH Lead Commission and attended countless meetings with key players in the field of lead paint throughout the state. During this time I have met with many landlords, scientists, experts and legislators in this field & have narrowed down what is the only truly financially viable solution to the lead paint issue.
From of this experience, I have pooled resources and knowledge into the creation of a workshop specifically designed for property owners, property managers and maintenance personnel called
"How To Avoid a Lead Abatement Order".
So far, it has been attended by 142 property owners, property managers and maintenance personnel representing 2210 units. These units are now well on their way to drastically reducing their risk of getting a lead abatement order while at the same time keeping children safe.
In this course you will learn:
Quick Highlight of the drastic Lead law changes 1/1/08 & changes in 2009.
The 3 step approach to solving the lead issue.
The precise formula to get an Order for Lead Hazard Reduction (So you can avoid these precise Lead Order triggering items).
The tenant turn over checklist to keep the apartment lead safe.
How to perform lead safe maintenance and renovations and to eliminate potential lead hazards on your own budget on your own schedule.
How to very inexpensively do your own lead testing so you can know where to focus and that you have "Cleaned" the apartment to lead safe standards.
Now, in a continuing effort to provide resources for Landlords, Property Managers and Maintenance Personnel, we are offering the EPA/HUD certified & accredited RRP (Renovation, Repair and Paint) course in cooperation with EPA/HUD certified & accredited trainers. These courses are often $200 to $300 per person in New England area. We are able to offer discounts bringing the course cost down to $150 to $200.
We are very dedicated to helping the landlords of NH both small and large. Our next set of RRP and "How to Avoid a Lead Abatement Order" workshops are planned to be offered back to back on a Friday Saturday combination in May. Stay tuned for dates and location. We hope to see you there.
=======
Landlord Resources Network 603-432-5549
office@LandlordResourcesNetwork.com
Member of RPOA, Rental Property Owners Association
Past NH Lead Commission member.
(on the landlord's side)
Since early 2007, I have been extremely active in the lead paint issue, served for a year on the NH Lead Commission and attended countless meetings with key players in the field of lead paint throughout the state. During this time I have met with many landlords, scientists, experts and legislators in this field & have narrowed down what is the only truly financially viable solution to the lead paint issue.
From of this experience, I have pooled resources and knowledge into the creation of a workshop specifically designed for property owners, property managers and maintenance personnel called
"How To Avoid a Lead Abatement Order".
So far, it has been attended by 142 property owners, property managers and maintenance personnel representing 2210 units. These units are now well on their way to drastically reducing their risk of getting a lead abatement order while at the same time keeping children safe.
In this course you will learn:
Quick Highlight of the drastic Lead law changes 1/1/08 & changes in 2009.
The 3 step approach to solving the lead issue.
The precise formula to get an Order for Lead Hazard Reduction (So you can avoid these precise Lead Order triggering items).
The tenant turn over checklist to keep the apartment lead safe.
How to perform lead safe maintenance and renovations and to eliminate potential lead hazards on your own budget on your own schedule.
How to very inexpensively do your own lead testing so you can know where to focus and that you have "Cleaned" the apartment to lead safe standards.
Now, in a continuing effort to provide resources for Landlords, Property Managers and Maintenance Personnel, we are offering the EPA/HUD certified & accredited RRP (Renovation, Repair and Paint) course in cooperation with EPA/HUD certified & accredited trainers. These courses are often $200 to $300 per person in New England area. We are able to offer discounts bringing the course cost down to $150 to $200.
We are very dedicated to helping the landlords of NH both small and large. Our next set of RRP and "How to Avoid a Lead Abatement Order" workshops are planned to be offered back to back on a Friday Saturday combination in May. Stay tuned for dates and location. We hope to see you there.
=======
Monday, March 1, 2010
IMPORTANT: Three NH Senate Bills affecting Landlords
IMPORTANT: Tuesday, March 2nd there will be several hearings at the State House. Our power has been out since Thursday Evening so we apologize for the lateness of this email. Many of you have expressed an interest in attending these hearings and making your voices heard. Now is your chance. All three bills wil be heard between 2:30 and 3:00 pm tomorrow, Tuesday March 2nd 2010.
Senate Bill 341 - http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/SB0341.html
Title: Relative to Remedies available to Landlord-Tenant Actions
Next Hearing Date: March 2 at 2:30 PM
Location: SH 103
Senate Bill 415 - http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/SB0415.html
Title: AN ACT relative to remedies against landlords. This bill prohibits the assessment of a daily fine for certain violations by landlords prior to service of a complaint.
Next Hearing Date: March 2 at 2:45 PM
Location: SH 103
Senate Bill 431 - http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/SB0431.html
Title: AN ACT relative to housing and tenancy protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
This bill prohibits lessors and owners of restricted property from terminating a tenancy, refusing to renew a tenancy, or refusing to enter into a rental agreement based on the tenant, rental applicant, or household member of a tenant or a rental applicant having been a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Next Hearing Date: March 2, 2010 at 3:00 PM
Location: SH 103
April 1st Ask The Expert
Topic: Lead Abatement.
If you have any questions regarding Lead Abatement, please email your questions to screentenants@gmail.com. Questions will be accepted until March 14th.
Senate Bill 341 - http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/SB0341.html
Title: Relative to Remedies available to Landlord-Tenant Actions
Next Hearing Date: March 2 at 2:30 PM
Location: SH 103
Senate Bill 415 - http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/SB0415.html
Title: AN ACT relative to remedies against landlords. This bill prohibits the assessment of a daily fine for certain violations by landlords prior to service of a complaint.
Next Hearing Date: March 2 at 2:45 PM
Location: SH 103
Senate Bill 431 - http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/SB0431.html
Title: AN ACT relative to housing and tenancy protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
This bill prohibits lessors and owners of restricted property from terminating a tenancy, refusing to renew a tenancy, or refusing to enter into a rental agreement based on the tenant, rental applicant, or household member of a tenant or a rental applicant having been a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Next Hearing Date: March 2, 2010 at 3:00 PM
Location: SH 103
April 1st Ask The Expert
Topic: Lead Abatement.
If you have any questions regarding Lead Abatement, please email your questions to screentenants@gmail.com. Questions will be accepted until March 14th.
March 2010 - Ask the Expert Q&A with Attorney Fred Mayer
March 2010 – Ask the Expert
Thank you Attorney Fred Mayer for hosting our first Ask the Expert column.
About Attorney Mayer
Fred K. Mayer III is a sole practitioner in Nashua, NH, where his practice is focused on the representation of landlords. Although he appears most frequently in the Nashua and Derry District Courts, his landlord/tenant cases have taken him to 21 district courts in various counties throughout the state, to the Worcester and Northeast Housing Courts of Massachusetts, to the New Hampshire Supreme Court and, on one occasion, to federal court. He has represented landlords and property management agents in evictions, RSA 540-A:4 petitions, security deposit disputes and other landlord/tenant litigation. He lectures frequently on topics relating to landlord/tenant law. On occasion, Attorney Mayer has testified before committees of the New Hampshire legislature when bills affecting landlord/tenant practice were being considered. Mr. Mayer received his B.A., with distinction, from George Washington University and his J.D. from Georgetown University. He is on the Board of Directors of Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Nashua. He is also a member of the New Hampshire Property Owners Association. You can contact Attorney Mayer at 603-881-9876
1. How many days does a landlord have to respond to a tenant’s request?
If the request is for the repair of a code violation, consistent with RSA 540:13-d,I(b), the repair should be performed within 14 days of the receipt of a written request or, in an emergency, as promptly as conditions require.
2. One of my tenants is two weeks late paying their rent. I served them a Notice to Quit and Demand for Rent but I don’t know what I should do next if they don’t pay their rent or move out.
Notices to Quit are now called "Eviction Notices." The day after the Eviction Notices expire, the landlord can file a Landlord and Tenant Writ in district court.
3. I handed my tenants a Notice to Quit and Demand for Rent and now they’ve given me half of the money owed. Can I continue with the eviction?
To preserve his right to continue with the eviction process upon receipt of a partial payment, a landlord must give the tenant written notice of his intent to proceed with the eviction despite the payment. The relevant statute, RSA 540:13,VII, does not specify exactly when the written notice should be given to the tenant, but the conventional wisdom is that the notice should be given to the tenant right away.
4. My tenant moved out and didn’t leave a forwarding address. I know I have to notify them about their security deposit within 30 day. What if I can’t find them? Will I be in trouble?
Per RSA 540-A:8,II, a landlord shall not be liable nor forfeit any rights if his failure to comply with the security deposit statute is due to the failure of the tenant to notify the landlord of his new address upon termination of the tenancy.
5. I heard that it’s illegal in NH to ask for the last month’s rent. Is this true? What can I ask for legally?
Generally speaking, RSA 540-A:6 permits a residential landlord to take a first month's rent and a security deposit. Because of the way RSA 540-A:5 defines the term "Security deposit," a landlord will indeed violate the statute if the landlord requests or accepts a last month's rent in addition to a security deposit.
6. I was in the process of evicting a tenant and they moved out leaving most of their belongings behind. How long must I hold on to their belongings? Can I move them to another location so I can rent the apartment?
RSA 540-A:3,VII requires that a landlord maintain and exercise reasonable care in the storage of the personal property of a tenant who has vacated the premises, either voluntarily or by eviction, for a period of 28 days after the tenant has vacated.
7. How long after a tenant leaves without any notice is the apartment considered abandoned? I haven’t seen anyone living there in over a month and no rent has been paid.
Neither the statutes nor the cases decided by the New Hampshire Supreme Court offer clear guidance as to when an apartment can be considered abandoned. There is, however, a case in which a tenant was gone for two-and-a-half months and the landlord was nevertheless held liable for an unlawful eviction. Therefore, in the absence of a written surrender of premises, I would serve a demand for rent and eviction notice at the premises and then complete the eviction process, including the service of a Writ of Possession.
8. I filed for a LT hearing at the district court and now the tenant has also filed against me. What should I do now?
If the tenant filed an Appearance, a notice of hearing will issue. The landlord should bring three copies of all relevant documents to the hearing to present as evidence. In a nonpayment of rent case, this would include the demand, the notice, the lease and a rent ledger.
Thank you Attorney Fred Mayer for hosting our first Ask the Expert column.
About Attorney Mayer
Fred K. Mayer III is a sole practitioner in Nashua, NH, where his practice is focused on the representation of landlords. Although he appears most frequently in the Nashua and Derry District Courts, his landlord/tenant cases have taken him to 21 district courts in various counties throughout the state, to the Worcester and Northeast Housing Courts of Massachusetts, to the New Hampshire Supreme Court and, on one occasion, to federal court. He has represented landlords and property management agents in evictions, RSA 540-A:4 petitions, security deposit disputes and other landlord/tenant litigation. He lectures frequently on topics relating to landlord/tenant law. On occasion, Attorney Mayer has testified before committees of the New Hampshire legislature when bills affecting landlord/tenant practice were being considered. Mr. Mayer received his B.A., with distinction, from George Washington University and his J.D. from Georgetown University. He is on the Board of Directors of Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Nashua. He is also a member of the New Hampshire Property Owners Association. You can contact Attorney Mayer at 603-881-9876
1. How many days does a landlord have to respond to a tenant’s request?
If the request is for the repair of a code violation, consistent with RSA 540:13-d,I(b), the repair should be performed within 14 days of the receipt of a written request or, in an emergency, as promptly as conditions require.
2. One of my tenants is two weeks late paying their rent. I served them a Notice to Quit and Demand for Rent but I don’t know what I should do next if they don’t pay their rent or move out.
Notices to Quit are now called "Eviction Notices." The day after the Eviction Notices expire, the landlord can file a Landlord and Tenant Writ in district court.
3. I handed my tenants a Notice to Quit and Demand for Rent and now they’ve given me half of the money owed. Can I continue with the eviction?
To preserve his right to continue with the eviction process upon receipt of a partial payment, a landlord must give the tenant written notice of his intent to proceed with the eviction despite the payment. The relevant statute, RSA 540:13,VII, does not specify exactly when the written notice should be given to the tenant, but the conventional wisdom is that the notice should be given to the tenant right away.
4. My tenant moved out and didn’t leave a forwarding address. I know I have to notify them about their security deposit within 30 day. What if I can’t find them? Will I be in trouble?
Per RSA 540-A:8,II, a landlord shall not be liable nor forfeit any rights if his failure to comply with the security deposit statute is due to the failure of the tenant to notify the landlord of his new address upon termination of the tenancy.
5. I heard that it’s illegal in NH to ask for the last month’s rent. Is this true? What can I ask for legally?
Generally speaking, RSA 540-A:6 permits a residential landlord to take a first month's rent and a security deposit. Because of the way RSA 540-A:5 defines the term "Security deposit," a landlord will indeed violate the statute if the landlord requests or accepts a last month's rent in addition to a security deposit.
6. I was in the process of evicting a tenant and they moved out leaving most of their belongings behind. How long must I hold on to their belongings? Can I move them to another location so I can rent the apartment?
RSA 540-A:3,VII requires that a landlord maintain and exercise reasonable care in the storage of the personal property of a tenant who has vacated the premises, either voluntarily or by eviction, for a period of 28 days after the tenant has vacated.
7. How long after a tenant leaves without any notice is the apartment considered abandoned? I haven’t seen anyone living there in over a month and no rent has been paid.
Neither the statutes nor the cases decided by the New Hampshire Supreme Court offer clear guidance as to when an apartment can be considered abandoned. There is, however, a case in which a tenant was gone for two-and-a-half months and the landlord was nevertheless held liable for an unlawful eviction. Therefore, in the absence of a written surrender of premises, I would serve a demand for rent and eviction notice at the premises and then complete the eviction process, including the service of a Writ of Possession.
8. I filed for a LT hearing at the district court and now the tenant has also filed against me. What should I do now?
If the tenant filed an Appearance, a notice of hearing will issue. The landlord should bring three copies of all relevant documents to the hearing to present as evidence. In a nonpayment of rent case, this would include the demand, the notice, the lease and a rent ledger.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Ask the Expert - Submit your questions
We are no longer accepting questions for the March "Ask the Expert" column. We will be posting the Ask the Expert Q&A from Attorney Fred Mayer on March 1st.
Starting on March 5th we will be accepting questions for the April 1st Ask the Expert column. Details about our upcoming expert will be posted at that time.
Starting on March 5th we will be accepting questions for the April 1st Ask the Expert column. Details about our upcoming expert will be posted at that time.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Ask the Expert - Submit your questions
Starting in February and once each month thereafter, you will have the opportunity for your questions to be answered by an expert in a topic of interest to New Hampshire landlords.
Attorney Fred Mayer has graciously offered to be our first expert. Attorney Mayer is well known in the landlord community as one of the experts in NH Landlord Tenant Laws. He has agreed to answer up to 10 questions submitted by our members regarding NH Landlord-Tenant Laws.
Our plan is to have Attorney Mayer's responses posted on this blog on March 1st. In order to meet this date, please send your questions to screentenants@gmail.com no later than February 13th. Now is your chance to obtain legal advice.
Future Ask the Expert columns will include experts in lead abatement, tenant screening, how to protect your assets, how to get financing during tough economic times, the current state of the rental market in NH, new laws that affect landlord in NH and much more.
If anyone has suggestions for future topics, please feel free to send us an email.
Again - email your questions to screentenants@gmail.com no later than February 13th in order for your question to be included in March.
Attorney Fred Mayer has graciously offered to be our first expert. Attorney Mayer is well known in the landlord community as one of the experts in NH Landlord Tenant Laws. He has agreed to answer up to 10 questions submitted by our members regarding NH Landlord-Tenant Laws.
Our plan is to have Attorney Mayer's responses posted on this blog on March 1st. In order to meet this date, please send your questions to screentenants@gmail.com no later than February 13th. Now is your chance to obtain legal advice.
Future Ask the Expert columns will include experts in lead abatement, tenant screening, how to protect your assets, how to get financing during tough economic times, the current state of the rental market in NH, new laws that affect landlord in NH and much more.
If anyone has suggestions for future topics, please feel free to send us an email.
Again - email your questions to screentenants@gmail.com no later than February 13th in order for your question to be included in March.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Some New Hampshire LLCs May See Higher Tax Bills
Some New Hampshire Small Business May See Higher Tax Bills
As part of the budget negotiations, state lawmakers are considering a proposal to close a tax loophole that Limited Liability Companies have enjoyed.
An LLC is just one way to organize as a small business, but it’s become increasingly popular.
One of the reasons is that an LLC’s income is not taxed the same way as other companies.
But that’s likely to change, as NHPR’s David Darman reports.
Revenue Commissioner Kevin Clougherty told lawmakers working on the state budget that limited liability companies, or LLC’s were getting a bit of free ride on taxes.
Clougherty said small businesses can be organized as LLC’s, or more traditionally as what’s called an S corporation, or S corp.
And there’s a definite difference in what the two groups pay in taxes.
The s corp directors, when they receive a dividend what happens is they are paying the business taxes and the interest and dividend tax. The LLCs are paying the business tax but not an interest and dividends tax, so there’s a decided advantage.
Currently the interest and dividends tax is 5%, and under the proposal any income an LLC owner receives would be considered a dividend.
About 10,000 businesses in the state are registered as LLCs.
Officials say it’s the fastest growing category of business organization in New Hampshire.
For example, Lotions and Potions on Concord’s Main Street is an LLC that has been open several years.
Co-owner Andrew Hatch says he organized the store as an LLC because it was simpler.
It’s certainly less complicated and more importantly less expensive to become an LLC.
Another benefit of the LLC is that it shields the owner’s personal fortune from liability in the event of losses.
Hatch says taxes were the furthest thing from his mind when he organized as an LLC.
It certainly wasn’t a decision I took in order to avoid or work around any tax structures.
Much of New Hampshire’s business community has reacted negatively to the proposal to further tax LLCs.
The Business and Industry Association, or BIA has said the proposal would be a “double tax” on small businesses.
They argue LLC owners already pay the Business and Enterprise tax, or BET, which covers payrolls and other compensation.
Tax adviser Bill Ardinger says the proposal will also make the tax burden on LLC’s much too heavy.
This proposal could result in a total effective tax rate on business earnings from a small business at 13 and half percent. That’s the state alone. We would be the highest tax rate on small businesses in the country.
Opponents of the proposal say that high tax rate would make New Hampshire much less attractive for small businesses to locate here.
But state Revenue Commissioner Kevin Clougherty says the tax burden argument is baseless.
That’s exactly what our corporations are paying now on the other side. So we’re not I’m not trying to deal with..the issue of the rate. I’m trying to say there’s an equity issue here. Everybody should be the same.
Clougherty says he’s pursuing equity for another reason as well.
He says the inequities worry him from a legal angle.
I’m very concerned about our liability if we’re not treating everybody fairly. Because just as much as you may get the argument from the LLC side saying well, you’re not taking into consideration the value I bring to this entity, you’re going to get the same arguments from the people on the other side and they’re getting taxed.
Should the proposal end up in the budget, it could mean an additional 15 to 20 million dollars a year in state revenue.
There wasn’t much discussion of the matter among the budget writers.
So don’t be surprised if this proposal closes the loophole LLCs have enjoyed.
As part of the budget negotiations, state lawmakers are considering a proposal to close a tax loophole that Limited Liability Companies have enjoyed.
An LLC is just one way to organize as a small business, but it’s become increasingly popular.
One of the reasons is that an LLC’s income is not taxed the same way as other companies.
But that’s likely to change, as NHPR’s David Darman reports.
Revenue Commissioner Kevin Clougherty told lawmakers working on the state budget that limited liability companies, or LLC’s were getting a bit of free ride on taxes.
Clougherty said small businesses can be organized as LLC’s, or more traditionally as what’s called an S corporation, or S corp.
And there’s a definite difference in what the two groups pay in taxes.
The s corp directors, when they receive a dividend what happens is they are paying the business taxes and the interest and dividend tax. The LLCs are paying the business tax but not an interest and dividends tax, so there’s a decided advantage.
Currently the interest and dividends tax is 5%, and under the proposal any income an LLC owner receives would be considered a dividend.
About 10,000 businesses in the state are registered as LLCs.
Officials say it’s the fastest growing category of business organization in New Hampshire.
For example, Lotions and Potions on Concord’s Main Street is an LLC that has been open several years.
Co-owner Andrew Hatch says he organized the store as an LLC because it was simpler.
It’s certainly less complicated and more importantly less expensive to become an LLC.
Another benefit of the LLC is that it shields the owner’s personal fortune from liability in the event of losses.
Hatch says taxes were the furthest thing from his mind when he organized as an LLC.
It certainly wasn’t a decision I took in order to avoid or work around any tax structures.
Much of New Hampshire’s business community has reacted negatively to the proposal to further tax LLCs.
The Business and Industry Association, or BIA has said the proposal would be a “double tax” on small businesses.
They argue LLC owners already pay the Business and Enterprise tax, or BET, which covers payrolls and other compensation.
Tax adviser Bill Ardinger says the proposal will also make the tax burden on LLC’s much too heavy.
This proposal could result in a total effective tax rate on business earnings from a small business at 13 and half percent. That’s the state alone. We would be the highest tax rate on small businesses in the country.
Opponents of the proposal say that high tax rate would make New Hampshire much less attractive for small businesses to locate here.
But state Revenue Commissioner Kevin Clougherty says the tax burden argument is baseless.
That’s exactly what our corporations are paying now on the other side. So we’re not I’m not trying to deal with..the issue of the rate. I’m trying to say there’s an equity issue here. Everybody should be the same.
Clougherty says he’s pursuing equity for another reason as well.
He says the inequities worry him from a legal angle.
I’m very concerned about our liability if we’re not treating everybody fairly. Because just as much as you may get the argument from the LLC side saying well, you’re not taking into consideration the value I bring to this entity, you’re going to get the same arguments from the people on the other side and they’re getting taxed.
Should the proposal end up in the budget, it could mean an additional 15 to 20 million dollars a year in state revenue.
There wasn’t much discussion of the matter among the budget writers.
So don’t be surprised if this proposal closes the loophole LLCs have enjoyed.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Landlord News - Quarter 1 2010
Landlord News - Quarter 1 2010
At a glance...EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2010 - MANDATORY CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS IN ALL NH RENTAL UNITS
EPA'S RENOVATION, REPAIR & PAINTING PROGRAM: NEW REQUIREMENTS & NEW OPPORTUNITIES HB 1413 Goes into Effect in January 2011
These are VERY IMPORTANT issues that shouldn't be ignored. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BE INFORMED!!For detailed information about these issues, visit our website at http://landlordconnection.com/news.html
SincerelyJeannine Richardson, PresidentLandlord Connection, Inc.
At a glance...EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2010 - MANDATORY CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS IN ALL NH RENTAL UNITS
EPA'S RENOVATION, REPAIR & PAINTING PROGRAM: NEW REQUIREMENTS & NEW OPPORTUNITIES HB 1413 Goes into Effect in January 2011
These are VERY IMPORTANT issues that shouldn't be ignored. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BE INFORMED!!For detailed information about these issues, visit our website at http://landlordconnection.com/news.html
SincerelyJeannine Richardson, PresidentLandlord Connection, Inc.
Tax Workshop for business people
You and your guest are invited to a
Free Tax Workshop
Monday January 25th 2010
7:00 to 9:00 PM
50 Queen City Ave. Community room
Manchester, N.H.
Hosted by Freedom Enterprises LLC
Call 888-695-0621 to reserve your seat.
8886950621@gosolo.com
Leave # of people attending, your Name and E-mail address and phone number.
For all business owners and will be owners.
Come learn:
Record keeping
New tax law changes
Reducing you taxes
Stream line your business
Business entities, Sole-Proprietor's, LLC, FLP, S-Corp, C-Corp ?
Reducing my cost and increase my bottom line
Thank You;Rick Blais(603)641-2527
You and your guest are invited to a
Free Tax Workshop
Monday January 25th 2010
7:00 to 9:00 PM
50 Queen City Ave. Community room
Manchester, N.H.
Hosted by Freedom Enterprises LLC
Call 888-695-0621 to reserve your seat.
8886950621@gosolo.com
Leave # of people attending, your Name and E-mail address and phone number.
For all business owners and will be owners.
Come learn:
Record keeping
New tax law changes
Reducing you taxes
Stream line your business
Business entities, Sole-Proprietor's, LLC, FLP, S-Corp, C-Corp ?
Reducing my cost and increase my bottom line
Thank You;Rick Blais(603)641-2527
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