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Fall Gutter Maintenance

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 21:57:18 GMT

Your Fall Gutter Maintenance Guide

Fall is officially here. That means it is time for investment property owners to check their rental properties for needed gutter maintenance!

Gutters can often be easily overlooked when thinking of routine property maintenance, but your gutters are the homes defense against exterior elements. They play a huge part is preserving your rental property!

Here are California Oaks Property Managements top gutter maintenance tips:

STEP #1: REMOVE LEAVES AND DEBRIS One of the most effective ways to maintain your gutters is to clean them of leaves and debris. Unless you have gutter guards, you should be cleaning your gutters annually to ensure proper drainage. If left unattended, a clogged gutter can cause water to overflow onto your property, which may result to water damage and rotting. (Pro tip- Wear gloves and consider investing in a gutter scooper to make this job easier!)

STEP #2: CHECK THE DOWNSPOUTS Walk the exterior of your rental property to make sure your downspouts are properly connected, and not missing or damaged. A missing or broken downspout will not redirect water away from your rental property, which may result in foundation issues.

STEP #3: WATER LEAK TEST After you have removed debris from your gutters and checked the down spouts, do your water test. Taking a garden hose and releasing water through the gutter not only further clean the gutters, but it will also show if there are any leaks. Any minor leaks can be easily repaired with a sealant.

STEP #4: CALL A PROFESSIONAL If you find more significant damage during your annual gutter maintenance such as rust, holes, or missing gutters….call a professional! The investment of having your gutters professionally maintained can save you thousands in property damage if left unattended.

After Hours Maintenance

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 21:19:21 GMT

24-Hour After Hours Maintenance

If you’ve ever owned rental property, you know being a landlord is not a 9-5 job!

Yes, we’re talking about after-hours emergency calls from your tenant! On vacation or sleeping at night? You can do all the preventive maintenance in the world; you’re bound to be interrupted with an emergency call eventually!

When it comes to after-hours property maintenance, time is of essence. This is why California Oaks Property Management provides our clients with 24-hour on call after-hours maintenance to all of our properties.

How does it work? When your tenant calls our office with an after-hours emergency, they are prompted to leave a message on our emergency line. Your tenant never has to deal with a call center, we have a trained staff member of California Oaks available 24/7 to respond to you tenant promptly and professionally! From plumbers to electricians, we have licensed vendors on speed dial ready to serve your property, anytime.

The outcome? Your tenants are relieved that in the stress of the moment, their emergency call is responded to promptly. By completing repairs quickly, we prevent further damage to your rental property.

What if it’s not an emergency? Let’s face it, sometimes tenants call after-hours when it’s not an emergency! Rest assured, our staff is trained to determine when a maintenance call can wait, so the maintenance at your property is handled in the most cost-effective manner.

To learn more about how we can take the stress out of your rental property, call us at (805) 648-1851.

Tenants: Moving Made Easy!

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 22:44:04 GMT

Tenant Moving Tips

Moving to a new rental property can be an exciting time! But without proper planning, moving day can also be stressful.

While moving will still probably be one of your least favorite things to do,

we have some suggestions to make it go a little smoother!

Check your Lease

As soon as you know you are moving, review your current lease. You will be required to give your notice to vacate to your current Landlord in writing. Move-out procedures can vary between different Property Management Companies. Contact your Landlord and request a move-out check list that gives you cleaning instructions and move-out procedures to deliver possession of your rental.

Organize

Moving is the perfect time to organize and declutter! Why pack and unpack unwanted items? Take this time to donate your old clothing and personal items you no longer use. Sell any furniture that does not fit in your new rental. You will feel refreshed moving to your new apartment completely organized.

Buy Packing Materials & Start Early

Nothing is worse then scrambling the day before moving. Buy all packing material weeks in advance and start packing your less used items right away. As you box up your belongings, label the boxes! Unpacking will go much quicker when you know what is inside each box.

Transfer Utilities

As soon as you have your new rental property secured, schedule a cancelation of your current utility services, and establish services at your new rental. Most utility companies will allow you to do this in advance and easily online.

Forward your Mail

This can be the easiest thing to forget when moving. Make sure to contact the post office and provide your new address to automatically forward your mail. It is also a good idea to provide your current Landlord your forwarding address, so they know where to mail your security deposit!

Plan for Moving Day

From renting a moving truck to hiring a professional moving company, you need to reserve these items in advance. At the very least, call your friends and family to see if they can pitch in a make your move go a little quicker.

Landlord Tip- Rental Agreements

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 18:40:43 GMT

Landlord Tip: Have A Strong Rental Agreement

One of the best ways to protect yourself as a Landlord is to have a well written Rental Agreement. But many Landlords still use a basic Agreement, and do not update their Rental Agreement as Tenant/Landlord laws change.

Let us start with the basics. What is a Rental Agreement? A Rental Agreement is a binding contract between a Landlord and Tenant. At minimum, the Rental Agreement identifies the parties, the property, the term of the rental and the amount of the rent.

Here are our tips to creating a strong Rental Agreement, to protect your investment property.

Written Agreement: This sounds like a no brainer, but put your Rental Agreement in writing. Some Landlords still allow a tenant to move in with an oral agreement. An oral agreement can be binding for a tenancy less than 12-months, but terms can be hard to prove without written documentation.

Terms: Ensure that your Rental Agreement clearly outlines the terms of tenancy. Some terms to consider are Late Payments, Security Deposit, Subletting, Pet Policy, Maintenance, Utilities, Parking and Access to Premises.

Addendums: In addition to the Rental Agreement, you want to make sure you have additional addendums to protect your investment property. Certain addendums, such as the Rent Cap and Just Cause Addendum, Lead Based Paint Disclosure, Bed Bug Addendum and Flood Disclosure, are required by law. Additional addendums you may need to consider are a Pet Addendum/Service Animal Addendum, Pool Addendum, Mold Addendum and Satellite Dish Addendum. We use 18 Addendums in our Rental Agreement packet!

Property Rules: Every property can have differing community rules. It is a good idea to have a Rules and Regulations Addendum outlining the specific property guidelines. This addendum can cover items such as laundry room hours, smoking policy, noise disturbances, criminal activity, and storage policies.

Rent Control: California introduced rent control state-wide on January 1, 2020 and effective July 1, 2020 Landlords are required to include an addendum in the Rental Agreement, outlining California Rent Control and Just Cause Eviction. Failure to properly notify your Tenant that a property qualifies as being exempt from Rent Control can result in your property adopting rent control terms.

Whether you are a first-time landlord looking for assistance, or an experienced investor looking to improve your contracts, California Oaks has Property Management Services tailored to assist you. Contact our office today to discuss how we can improve your Rental Agreement documents!

2024 4th Of July Events

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 19:56:40 GMT

Your Local 4th Of July Event Guide!

California Oaks Property Management tenants and local property owners,

are you looking for some fun activities this 4th of July?

We've put together a guide for your local 2024 4th of July events!

VENTURA

The Pushem-Pullem Parade presented by the Rotary Club of East Ventura, begins at 10:00 a.m. on Main Street in front of Cemetery Memorial Park and continues into Downtown Ventura, leading into the Street Fair. Enjoy the artisan street fair, car exhibit, live entertainment, kids activity area, corn hole zone, and more!

2024 Ventura Rotary 4th of July Fireworks Show & Family Picnic This joyous event is spread across several acres of beautiful lawn at the Ventura College Athletic Fields, and includes a spectacular fireworks show, live music, food vendors, a Kids Fun Zone, and what we like to call 'the friendliest hometown picnic in America'! Gates open at 5 pm. Fireworks show begins at approximately 9 pm.

OXNARD

The Channel Islands Harbor 4th of July Family Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at Albacore Way, travels north up Harbor Blvd. and ends at Cabezone Circle, home to Marine Emporium Landing.

Central Coast Electric Boats and Channel Islands Yacht Club present their Electric Boat Parade around the east and west channels of Channel Islands Harbor on July 4th from 4-6PM. More than 75 patriotic-themed electric boats will be participating.

The Channel Islands Harbor will be offering activities and entertainment all day, followed by Fireworks by the Sea at 9pm on the 4th of July.

CAMARILLO

The City of Camarillo proudly presents the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Show hosted at the Camarillo Premium Outlet parking lots. This FREE community event is open to the public and provides a safe and fun filled evening to enjoy the fireworks display from the comfort of your vehicle. The show is set to promptly begin at 9:00 p.m.

Fireworks are best viewed from the Camarillo Premium Outlet parking lots and immediate surrounding areas. Tune in live to FM radio station 95.1 KBBY to listen to the fireworks soundtrack while you watch the show.

SANTA PAULA

The Santa Paula Rotary Club is sponsoring the first Drone Show ! The Fourth of July event will take place at Harding Park, with festivities beginning at 5:00 PM and the drone show scheduled to begin between 9:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Attendees can enjoy family-friendly activities, lawn games, jolly jump, food vendors, and entertainment throughout the evening. The drone show, featuring 150 drones, promises to illuminate the sky with 12 to 15 minutes of stunning displays synchronized to music.

OJAI

The Ojai 4th of July Parade has the theme "Hooray for Red, White and Blue" and starts at 10AM at Country Club Drive and makes it way down Ojai Ave.

The Ojai Firework Show is held at Nordoff Highschool Stadium. Gates open at 5:15 and firework show starts at 9:15. Enjoy live music, free games, food trucks!

FILLMORE

The Sespe Creek 4th of July Car Show will take place in downtown Fillmore on July 4th from 9 am to 4 pm.

In addition to cars, numerous food booths, craft vendors, and local organizations will be on hand to share their goods and services with the community.

Summer Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Fri, 31 May 2024 18:35:53 GMT

Tips To Service Your Air Conditioner This Summer

Having a regular schedule on your Air Conditioning Unit is recommended to save money in the long-term

and keep your tenants happy. Now that summer is approaching, if you have not recently serviced

the air conditioning unit at your rental property, it is the perfect time!

We’ve put together our top summer air conditioning maintenance tips:

Change Air Filter

Everyone knows that the filter on their air conditioner needs to be cleaned or changed on a regular basis, but it is often overlooked. When a filter becomes very dirty, it may cause your unit to not work properly or shut down.

Inspect The Exterior Unit

The central air conditioning system is often located outside. Inspect the surrounding area to ensure there is space to allow airflow. Remove any overgrown landscaping, weeds, leaves, and trash that will obstruct airflow.

Seal Any Leaks

Inspect the doors and windows to see if there are any areas that air can be escaping. When these areas are not sealed properly, it will cause the unit to work much harder to cool down the properly.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

It is common that your tenant will forget to change the air conditioning settings when they leave during the day, or leave the air conditioning running so it is cool when they return home. When having the unit run all day, this can reduce its lifetime span. By upgrading the thermostat to a programmable thermostat, your tenants can adjust the temperature for different times of the day to be energy efficient and not over use the unit.

Do you want to discuss other maintenance tips at your rental property? California Oaks Property Management employs a full-time maintenance staff! Contact our office today at 805.648.1851 to discuss how our maintenance team can help you at your rental!

One-Time Management Service

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Tue, 21 May 2024 18:00:31 GMT

One-Time Management Service

Do you live locally, own an income property, and enjoy self-managing the rental? Allow California Oaks Property Management to assist you in the hardest part of having a rental property, filling your vacancy !!

Our One-Time Management Service is the perfect option for a local, self-managed, income property owner. Do not spend hours with advertising, showing your property, and screening tenants!

Included in this One-Time Management Service, California Oaks Property Management will provide your rental property the following:

MARKETING: Our team provides a strategic marketing plan with top quality photography, 3D tours, and advertising on top rental sites to maximize your exposure. Digital staging and floorplans are available at an additional cost.

SHOWING YOUR PROPERTY: Property showings can be very time consuming! Our team are experts at highlighting your properties best features. In person property showings will be given to pre-approved applicants.

TENANT SCREENING: Good tenant screening is vital for your rental property. Our office completes a thorough background check on all applicants 18 years and over. This includes a complete credit check, verification of employment, criminal background, eviction background and rental references. We have a reputation for attracting high quality tenants which ensures proper care of your property.

PET SCREENING: Third party pet screening and ESA verification on all animals following FHA guidelines. Pet and Service Animal addendums to protect your investment.

LEASE PREPARATION: Real Estate laws are continuously changing and you want to ensure your property is protected with the correct Rental Agreement and appropriate addendums. California Oaks continuously makes updates to our leases to ensure they are following current Real Estate laws.

MOVE-IN FUND COLLECTION: Collection of first months rent and security deposit at tenant move-in.

Once the vacancy has been filled, California Oaks Property Management provides a professional packet to the property owner with all lease documentation and tenant screening paperwork.

Interested in finding out more about how the experienced staff at

California Oaks Property Management can assist filling your vacancy?

Renters Insurance

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 18:50:37 GMT

Do I Really Need Renters Insurance?

Do you rent a home or apartment? With the stress of moving into a new rental property, a renters insurance policy may not be on the top of your to do list. According to a 2022 online survey, only 55% of renters in the United States have renters insurance.

Let’s start with the basics.

What is Renters Insurance?

Renters insurance is an insurance policy that will cover your personal belongings within a rental due to unexpected damages or theft. A renters insurance policy usually has three types of coverage:

Personal property : Personal property coverage can protect your belongings, such as furniture, clothing, jewelry, and electronics. Many policies cover personal belongings that you are also using outside of your home.

Additional Living Expenses : Additional living expense coverage can help cover increased costs you incur if you are temporarily relocated due to a loss.

Liability : Liability coverage can cover expenses if someone brings a lawsuit against you for injury or property loss and you are found liable.

Am I required to have Renters Insurance?

California Oaks Property Management requires all tenants to have $100,000 of liability coverage. Tenants have the option of shopping for their own policy, or signing up for renters insurance through their tenant portal.

I f a tenant does not meet the liability coverage requirement, they will automatically be enrolled in the Liability to Landlord policy. (This policy does not cover the tenants personal belongings.)

Still unsure if you should get renters insurance?

We’ve put together the top five reasons to get a policy today.

1. You aren’t covered by your landlord’s insurance

Many tenants mistake thinking that their landlord’s homeowner’s insurance will cover their belongings. Your landlord’s insurance policy is designed to cover the physical structure itself, not your personal belongings- regardless of who is at fault.

2. Protect your personal belongings

The cost to replace your personal belongings will be covered in the event they are destroyed or stolen. For example, there is a fire or major plumbing backup within your apartment that destroys all your personal belongings.

Are you prepared to pay to replace all your belongings in the event of an emergency? The average renter has personal belongings that are valued from $20,000- $30,000.

3. Less out of pocket expenses

Many tenants assume that their landlord will cover their relocation costs. If you experience significant damage in your apartment that makes it uninhabitable, you will be required to temporarily relocate while repairs are being completed. Your landlord is required to reimburse you your daily rent value while you are displaced (your monthly rent divided by thirty).

But what if this doesn’t cover the full cost of a hotel and meal expenses? Most renters insurance policies can cover the gap in these expenses; including hotel costs, pet boarding, meal expenses, fuel costs, laundry costs, or storage fees.

4. It is inexpensive

According to online surveys, the average cost of renters insurance in California is only $16 per month, or $195 per year. Compare this monthly expense to the cost to replace all your personal belonging- we’d say it’s worth it.

5. Personal Liability

You may think it is unlikely, but you can be held legally liable if someone is injured within your apartment or has property damage. In the event of a lawsuit for accidental injuries, accidental damage to property or injuries from your pet, the personal liability in your renters insurance policy can help pay for the property damage or medical bills.

H ave more questions regarding California Oaks Renters Insurance Policy?

Give our team a call today!

Disclaimer: The information from this blog is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.

Investment Property Tax Deductions

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 16:29:34 GMT

Tax Deductions For Investment Property Owners

The tax filing deadline is quickly approaching! Did you know that as an investment property owner, you can deduct property expenses to reduce your tax liability? Any expenses that you’ve paid to make the property livable, can be considered deductible!

What exactly can be used as a tax deduction? We’ve put together a list of tax-deductible expenses you don’t want to miss out on this tax season!

Monthly Utility Expenses: Your utilities are a standard operating expense for your investment property. Utilities that are deductible include water, sewer, trash, electric, regular pest control, pool maintenance costs and landscaping.

Interest on Mortgage: If you carry a loan on your rental property, interest on your mortgage payment may be one of your largest tax deductions.

Advertising: Did you have a vacancy this year and pay to advertise online or in the newspaper? Include this in your deductions!

Maintenance and Repairs: Most of the repairs that you complete at your rental property are deductible for ordinary maintenance. These repair costs can include appliance repairs, plumbing repairs, electric repairs, carpeting, painting, roof patching, cleaning, labor costs, and materials/supplies.

The IRS has an outline to distinguish the difference between repairs and capital improvements. If you’ve done extensive remodeling this adds value to your rental property and must be deducted over a longer period of time.

Wages paid to onsite managers: If you have an apartment community larger than 16-units in California, you are required to have an onsite apartment manager. The salary paid to your onsite manager should be included in your deduction list.

Management Fees/Commission: If you hire a management company to oversee your investment property operations (hopefully, California Oaks Property Management!) the management fees are 100% tax deductible!

We always recommend investment property owners consult a professional accountant or the IRS to determine you are filing taxes in the correct way and using the proper deductions for your specific rental property.

If you are feeling unorganized during tax filing time, consider calling California Oaks Property Management to discuss how our professional Property Management software, owner portals, details owner reports and 1099's can streamline your investment property accounting today!

Spring Maintenance Check List

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 19:08:47 GMT

7 Spring Maintenance Check List Items For Your Rental

Happy first day of Spring! Winter is officially gone and it’s time to spring into action and tackle a few

Spring Maintenance Checklist items at your rental property!

Help! My Roof Is Leaking!

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 19:33:26 GMT

5-Steps For Tenants To Navigate Roof Leaks

Ventura County had very heavy downpours over the last few weeks and if you experienced a roof leak, you aren’t alone!

A roof leak can be a stressful time for tenants, and many may not know how to remain calm during the incident.

We have put together five steps to help tenants navigate experiencing a roof leak at their rental property.

CONTAIN THE LEAK:

If you have an active leak, whether small or large, it can cause damage. As soon as the leak is noticed tenants can be proactive to prevent damage to their personal belongings and rental property. Promptly remove all personal belongings from the area and try to contain the leak with a large container, bucket, or towels. By doing this you will prevent damage to the flooring and surrounding property.

PUNCTURE THE CEILING:

If the ceiling is sagging significantly from the water weight it is best to puncture it to release the water. Water continuing to collect in the ceiling can cause the leak to spread and result in significant damage. When you are ready to puncture the ceiling, make sure this is done safely with a sturdy ladder or step stool. Don’t forget to have your bucket ready to collect the water once you have punctured the ceiling!

CONTACT YOUR LANDLORD:

After you have addressed moving your personal belongings and containing the leak, contact your landlord immediately to report the issue. Inform your landlord of the precautionary steps you have taken and help them document the damage by taking photographs.

BE PATIENT:

As stressful as dealing with a roof leak is, tenants must remember that the roof leak cannot be repaired during an active storm. The rain creates a safety hazard for the roofing contractor and the leak cannot be tarped or repaired until after the rain has stopped. In the event of large storms, you can expect your landlord to receive a high number of calls and the roofer will need to address each repair based on the severity of the leak.

GET RENTERS INSURANCE:

If you don’t already have renters insurance, a roof leak is a great reminder of the importance of having a policy. Your landlord will not cover your personal property if damaged and having a renters insurance policy will relieve the financial burden if there is an emergency.

Valentine's Day Ideas For Your Tenants

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:53:04 GMT

Treat Your Tenants This Valentine's Day!

As a property management, we encourage owners to look for ways to show their tenants they are appreciated. Small gestures make a big impression and will improve your tenant satisfaction. A tenant that feels valued will stay longer, take better care of your property, and refer other to your community.

Holidays are a great opportunity for owners and property managers to express appreciation for their tenants, and Valentine’s Day is no exception!

Here are easy and inexpensive ways to value your residents this Valentine’s Day:

Give Sweet Treats

Almost everyone loves candy, and it is an easy and inexpensive way to treat your tenants. Trying adding a fun personalized note with the candy like “We love our tenants”.

Host A Valentine's Day Decorating Contest

Give your tenants the chance to use their creative side a host a door decorating contest! Have residents submit pictures of their decorated doors and have the community and property management staff vote on a winner to receive a prize.

Decorate The Common Areas

Do you have a common area clubhouse, entertainment area or laundry room? Give your tenants a festive environment by decorating the property this Valentine’s Day!

Partner With Local Businesses

Reach out to local businesses and restaurants to see if they would offer exclusive discounts to give to your residents. Not only are your gifting your tenants, you are supporting local businesses!

Do we manage your rental property and you are interested in treating your tenants this year?

Contact your Property Manager to discuss ideas today!

Staging Your Rental

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 19:36:08 GMT

Improve Your Rental Advertising With Virtual Staging

With modern day rental advertising, prospective tenants are primarily searching for rentals online and it is important to ensure that your rental gives the best first impression. Staging properties has been a common practice by real estate agents when selling a property and we believe this is a great asset to incorporate into your rental advertising!

While physically staging your rental is timely and not cost-effective, virtual staging is the perfect tool! Let us explain more.

What is virtual staging?

Like traditional staging, virtual staging is designed to show off your property’s best features. Instead of hiring a company to physically stage your property with furniture, virtual staging is digitally generated on the computer through software.

What are the benefits of virtual staging?

Cost Effective : Traditional staging can cost property owners upwards of $2,000. By utilizing virtual staging, you can get the same effect at a fraction of the cost. (Contact us today to discuss our affordable digital staging pricing!)

Highlights How a Space Can Be Used: Photos of a nicely staged property are more attractive than an empty room. You want your prospective tenants to visualize themselves living in your rental when viewing it online, and staging the property gives you the opportunity to give the rooms purpose.

What do the statistics say?

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) the following statistics are found from staging done at homes listed for sale. These statistics will absolutely transfer to prospective tenants searching for a rental!

Most buyers agents (81%) said that staging a home made it easier for potential buyers to visualize the property as a future home in a 2024 study.

More than half (58%) of buyers agents reported that staging affected buyers view of the home.

Younger generations consider staging extremely or very important (48% of Generation Z and 40% of Millennials)

48% of sellers agents noticed a decrease in the time a staged home spends on the market.

Still aren’t convinced? Let the photos speak for themselves.

Want to learn more about virtual advertising?

California Oaks Property Management provides the highest quality advertising to our clients, including photography, 3D tours, floorplans and virtual staging. Contact us today to discuss how we can enhance the marketing of your rental property!

New 2024 Landlord Laws

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 16:59:51 GMT

Landlords: 5 New 2024 Real Estate Laws

With 2024 approaching, Landlords need to be aware of new Real Estate Laws that affect the rental industry. You can view all new Real Estate Laws on the California Association of Realtors website.

S enate Bill 267 is codified as Government Code § 12955. Effective January 1, 2024.

Landlord must offer “ability to pay” in lieu of reliance on credit history and reports in assessing a tenant’s rental application when prospective tenant is receiving a government rent subsidy such as a Section 8 rental voucher.

SB 267 makes it unlawful, in instances where there is a government rent subsidy, for a landlord to use a person’s credit history as part of the application process for a rental accommodation without offering the applicant the option, at the applicant’s discretion, of providing lawful, verifiable alternative evidence of reasonable ability to pay the portion of the rent to be paid by the tenant, including, but not limited to, government benefit payments, pay records, and bank statements. When so offered, the applicant may elect to provide alternative evidence of reasonable ability to pay.

In which case the landlord must:

Provide the applicant reasonable time to respond with that alternative evidence and
Reasonably consider that alternative evidence in lieu of the person’s credit history in determining whether to offer the rental accommodation to the applicant.

Nonetheless, the landlord may still request information or documentation to verify employment, to request landlord references, or to verify the identity of a person.

Senate Bill 712 is codified as Civil Code 1940.41. Effective January 1, 2024.

SB 712 prohibits a landlord from prohibiting a tenant from owning personal micro mobility devices or from storing and recharging up to one personal micro mobility device in their dwelling unit for each person occupying the unit, subject to certain conditions and exceptions. Personal micro mobility devices are things like bicycles, scooters, hoverboards, skateboards, and their electric counterparts such as an e-bike or e-scooter.

SB 712 prevents landlords from prohibiting tenants from owning personal micro mobility devices and also prevents landlords from banning the storage and recharging of personal micro mobility devices in their dwelling units if the devices meet certain criteria as follows:

They are not powered by an electric motor, or
They comply with certain safety standards for e-bikes and e-scooters (see below), or
Failing compliance with such safety standards, the tenant has insurance covering storage of the device within the unit.

Batteries for e-bikes should comply with either the UL 2849 standard, recognized by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, or the EN 15194 European Standard for electrically powered assisted cycles. E-scooters, on the other hand, need to align with the UL 2272 standard from the U.S. or the EN 17128 European Standard for personal light-electric vehicles.

However, landlords have the option to provide tenants with exterior “secure, long-term storage” for their devices. If such storage is offered without charge, landlords can prohibit the in-unit storage of these devices.

A landlord is not required to modify or approve a tenant’s request to modify a rental dwelling unit for the purpose of storing a micro mobility device inside of the dwelling unit. A landlord may prohibit repair or maintenance on batteries and motors of personal micro mobility devices within a dwelling unit. A landlord can require a tenant to store a personal micro mobility device in compliance with applicable fire code,

Assembly Bill 1418 is codified as Government Code § 53165.1. Effective January 1, 2024.

Prohibits local ordinances that penalize tenants and landlords for various types of law enforcement contacts, i.e., local “crime free” rental housing programs and ordinances.

Background: “Crime Free” rental housing programs and ordinances: What are they?

Crime-free ordinances have roots in the law enforcement community. Historically, they are police-sponsored programs that seek to create closer collaboration between police departments and landlords. Under the authority of crime-free housing ordinances, landlords are instructed or encouraged to refuse to rent to prospective tenants with a criminal history, which may include a history of arrests, with or without convictions, or any other indices that suggest a present risk to the rental property or the safety of other tenants.

However, such programs have been criticized as discriminatory in both conception and effect. The authors of AB 1317 have stated that, “there is no evidence that these policies do anything to reduce crime. Indeed, a closer look at these policies reveals they are generally motivated by racial animus and a desire to reverse demographic change in a given jurisdiction.”

Substance of AB 1418

This law prohibits cities and counties from enacting local policies that:

1) Require landlords to use criminal background checks. Make alleged criminal behavior without a felony conviction a basis to evict a tenant.

2) Require landlords to evict an entire household when a household member is convicted of a felony.

3) Define nuisance behavior to include police contact, police service calls, or anything else outside the scope of the existing state definition of a nuisance.

4) Require landlords to include lease provisions that provide a basis for eviction beyond those in existing state law.

The law also prohibits a local government from promulgating, enforcing or implementing an ordinance, rule, policy, program, or regulation affecting tenancy, that does any of the following:

Imposes or threatens to impose a penalty against a resident, owner, tenant, landlord, or other person solely as a consequence of contact with a law enforcement agency.
Requires or encourages a landlord to do, or imposes a penalty on a landlord for the failure to do, the following:
Evict or penalize a tenant because of the tenant's association with another tenant or household member who has had contact with a law enforcement agency or has a criminal conviction.
Evict or penalize a tenant because of the tenant's alleged unlawful conduct or arrest.
Include a provision in a lease or rental agreement that provides a ground for eviction not provided by, or that is in conflict with, state or federal law.
Perform a criminal background check of a tenant or a prospective tenant.
Defines as a nuisance, contact with a law enforcement agency, request for emergency assistance, or an act or omission that does not constitute a nuisance under California law.
Requires a tenant to obtain a certificate of occupancy as a condition of tenancy.
Establishes, maintains, or promotes a registry of tenants for the purposes of discouraging a landlord from renting to a tenant on the registry or excluding a tenant on the registry from rental housing within the local government's jurisdiction.

Comment:

The prohibitions in this law are prohibitions against a local ordinance, rule, policy or program. They are not prohibitions against landlords themselves. For example, this law does not prevent a landlord from performing a criminal background check within the parameters of existing state and federal law. Nor does it prevent a landlord from evicting all tenants based on nuisance or the criminal activity of a single tenant.

Assembly Bill 12 is codified as Civil Code 1950.5. Effective July 1, 2024.

Landlords may collect no more than one month’s rent for either furnished or unfurnished units in addition to first month’s rent. There is an exception for small landlords, defined as a landlord who is a natural person or LLC and owns no more than two residential rental properties with no more than a total of four units offered for rent.

AB 12, beginning July 1, 2024, prohibits a landlord from demanding or receiving security for a rental agreement for residential property in an amount or value in excess of an amount equal to one month’s rent, regardless of whether the residential property is unfurnished or furnished, in addition to any rent for the first month paid on or before initial occupancy.

Exception for small landlords: A small landlord may demand or receive a deposit in an amount or value not in excess of 2 months’ rent, whether or not the unit is furnished, in addition to any rent for the first month, if the landlord (1) is a natural person or a limited liability corporation in which all members are natural persons and (2) owns no more than 2 residential rental properties that collectively include no more than 4 dwelling units offered for rent. The exception for small landlords includes family trusts.

This small landlord exception does not apply if the prospective tenant is a service member.

Landlords who currently hold a security deposit or demand or collect a security deposit in excess of one month’s rent prior to July 1, 2024, may continue to retain the security even if it is more than one month’s rent.

Assembly Bill 1620 is codified as Civil Code 1954.53. Effective January 1, 2024

Allows a jurisdiction with local rent control to require an owner of a rent-controlled unit to allow a tenant with a permanent physical disability to relocate to an available comparable or smaller unit located on an accessible floor of the property and retain their same rental rate.

AB 1620 creates a statutory process by which a locality with a rent control ordinance or charter could provide for unit swaps in certain situations where a disabled tenant is living in a rent-controlled unit, and the tenant would retain their current rent.

This process would only be available to tenants in rent-controlled units who

1) Have permanent physical mobility-related disabilities,

2) Live in units that are not served by an operational elevator,

3) Are not subject to eviction for nonpayment,

and

4) Where the jurisdiction has opted into AB 1620.

The procedure would be utilized as follows:

1) First the tenant would have to make a request for reasonable accommodation and engage in the interactive process established by 2 CCR § 12177 with their landlord and would have to provide a written request for a unit swap to an accessible unit.

2) Next, the interactive process negotiation would have to identify that the move to an accessible unit is necessary to accommodate the tenant's physical disability.

3) There would need to be an available comparable or smaller unit located on an accessible floor of the same building, or a comparable accessible unit owned by the same landlord on the same parcel (with at least four other units), that does not require renovation to comply with existing Health and Safety Code requirements

4) The local rent board or body with oversight of the rent control ordinance determines that the owner will continue to receive a fair rate of return for the new unit and

5) The tenant's original security deposit would be handled in accordance with existing law governing security deposits, meaning the landlord would be able to take out any legally permissible reimbursements for costs associated with cleaning or repairing the unit – exclusive of ordinary wear and tear – before returning the balance to the tenant, and the tenant would provide a new security deposit for the new unit.

For purposes of this paragraph, “comparable or smaller unit” means a dwelling or unit that has the same or less than the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, and parking spaces as the unit being vacated.

Further, if an accessible unit becomes available that the owner intends to move into or intends to move an immediate family member into, that unit would not be considered "available" under the bill's provisions.

Information in this blog is from California Association Of Realtors

https://www.car.org/en/riskmanagement/qa/New-Laws/2024-New-Laws

Decorating Your Rental This Holiday

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 12:38:31 GMT

A Tenants Guide To Holiday Decorating

The holidays are approaching and many families are excited to decorate their homes with holiday cheer. Just because you don’t own your home, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to get into the holiday decorating spirit! Tenants, keep in mind the following tips when decorating your rental this year.

Check With Your Landlord

Tenants should carefully review their Rental Agreement to understand any restrictions on holiday decorating. If your Rental Agreement does not cover decorations or is unclear, it is a good idea to contact your landlord or property manager before installation to make sure you are complying to the lease. Many landlords have restrictions to the size, location, and length of time decorations are permitted.

Use Non-Damaging Adhesive

Put away the nails and opt for non-damaging hanging tools for your front door wreaths, stockings, and lights! There are plenty of options available such as command strips and adhesive tape. Once the holidays are over, you can easily remove the adhesive without causing damage to your walls......or security deposit.

Window Clings

Window clings are a fun way to add exterior decorations without causing any damage or taking up space. The decorations are easily removeable and will not cause any scratching to the window glass. The best part, they are reusable!

Candle Substitutes

We all love a great holiday scented candle. Unfortunately, candles pose a large fire hazard and are not recommended in rentals. An alternative option to incorporate holiday scents are incense diffusers, plug-ins, or air freshener. If you are looking to add ambiance to your holiday décor, consider battery operated candles.

Keep Common Areas Clear

Restrict your holiday decorations to your doorstep. Consider decorations like a holiday front door mat and hanging wreath. Even when decorating your doorstep, make sure that the walking path is kept clear and decorations will not cause a tripping hazard.

Landlords, allowing tenants to decorate makes their rental feel more like home.

Permitting holiday decorations within reason make for happy tenants, and happy tenants are the best kind of tenants!

5 Thanksgiving Safety Tips For Tenants

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 11:37:25 GMT

5 Thanksgiving Safety Tips For Tenants

November is here, and that means Thanksgiving is right around the corner! For many, Thanksgiving brings a time for family and friends to come together for food and great company. However, as Thanksgiving approaches, many Landlords worry about safety issues. According to The National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home fires and 50 percent of house fires start in the kitchen.

How do you ensure that your tenants enjoy the holiday while also keeping themselves and the property safe? Here are 5 Thanksgiving Safety Tips for your residents.

Never Leave the Kitchen Unattended

Thanksgiving is busy with multitasking and entertaining. If you need to leave the kitchen, turn off the burners, even if you have a lid on the pan. Unattended cooking causes half of all reported home fires!

Keep the Cooking Area Clear

Keep flammable objects away from the stovetop such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels.

Avoid Overloading Electronics

Prepping for Thanksgiving dinner typically involves using multiple appliances such as mixers, slow cookers, and air fryers. Running too many appliances simultaneously can overload the outlets and cause breakers to trip, or worse, cause an electric fire. Landlords should ensure kitchen outlets are protected with a GFCI and tenants avoid using extension cords and running too many appliances at once.

Deep Fry Outside

Everyone loves a deep-fried turkey. Everyone has also heard the horror story of a fire caused by deep frying! Bring your fryer outside away from the structure of the home, exterior landscaping, and vehicles. Even when you are outdoors, keep a fire extinguisher handy!

Properly Dispose of Grease

Grease may seem like a harmless liquid to pour down your drains, but as grease cools it thickens and can cause blockages in your drains. The proper way to dispose of grease is to allow it to cool, place it in a closed leak free container, and place it in the trash.

Holiday Season: Is The Rental Market Affected?

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 12:41:17 GMT

A look into how the holiday season affects the rental market.

Does the time of year change the rental market?

Absolutely! Being knowledgeable of seasonal rent trends is vital for landlords to properly advertise their rentals and avoid long vacancies and rent loss.

Rental properties surged during the pandemic. Over the past two years, landlords have become accustomed to their vacancies renting within days and being able to drastically increase rent when a tenant moves out. Over 2023 we have seen the rental market shift back to “normal” pre-covid conditions.

Now that we are approaching the holiday season, properties are taking longer to rent, and we are seeing a decline in rent prices. According to ApartmentList.com, apartment searches and rent prices steadily decline from August to December and begin to slowly pick back up starting the beginning of the year.

How should landlords prepare?

Have Realistic Expectations:

Gone are the days of your investment property renting overnight. We recommend landlords have a realistic expectation that their vacancy will rent within thirty days. With rent prices stabilizing, property owners also need to be realistic with the rent price they list the property.

Marketing:

Your marketing matters. With vacancies taking longer to rent, this means there are more properties available for tenants searching for a new rental. Your property needs to stand out against the competitors. Make the right investments to help your property show well, and have great quality photography and advertising to make your rental property stand out against the competition.

Hire a Professional:

Self managing your rental sounds easy, but the truth is there is a lot that goes into managing your property. From vacancy preparation and oversight, marketing photography and 3D Tours, tenant screening and leases.....California Oaks Property Management has you covered. Contact our office today to discuss how the professionally trained Cal Oaks Team can assist you with your rental during the holiday season.

2023 Halloween Activities

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 19:59:30 GMT

Your Local 2023 Halloween Activity Guide!

It is Spooky Season! We have put together a list of family fun activities to celebrate Halloween in the cities we manage rental properties. Happy Haunting!

Ventura

Sunday, October 22: Nextgen Rotary “Crawl-o-Ween” Fundraiser in Downtown Ventura (11AM-4PM RSVP required)

Boos, Bars, and Beneficiaries! Come celebrate Halloween on this fun bar crawl in Downtown Ventura benefitting local non-profits on Main Street. Purchase of the Crawl-O-Ween Passport includes 1 specialty drink at 5 different bars/restaurants. Participating Bars & Restaurants Include:

Ventura Coast Brewing Company
Winchesters
The Six Social House
The Blue Agave
Dargan's Irish Pub
VIP Location: The Twist

Saturday, October 28: Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest at Ventura Harbor Village (Noon)

Bring your furry friend in their best costume for Ventura Harbor Village 11th Annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest. Space is limited to the first 70 dogs.

Saturday, October 28: Costume Contest and Trick-or-Treating in Downtown Ventura (3-7PM)

This free family friendly event includes a costume contest (with prizes) at 3pm on the Main Street Stage followed by trick-or-treating at downtown businesses on Main Street starting at 4pm.

Sunday, October 29: Seaside Trick or Treat at Ventura Harbor Village (Noon-2PM)

Dress up the kids and navigate through the waterfront village with over a dozen treat stops at participating Harbor boutiques and restaurants. There will also be face painting and fortune telling. Bring your own bag!

Oxnard

Friday, October 13: Let the Ghoul Times Roll SK8 Nite in Oxnard (6-9PM)

Located on the 4th floor of the Downtown Parking Structure (B Street) this Halloween themed event will be sure to be quite a spook-tacular time, so come in your costumes because ghouls just want to have fun. Bring your own quad or in-line skates. Skates are not available for rental at site.

Wednesday, October 25: Trick or Treat at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard (5PM RSVP required)

The Collection at Riverpark invites princesses, pirates and pumpkins of all ages to collect fang-tastic treats at The Collection at Riverpark’s annual trick-or-treat event. Reservations are required to ensure our merchants can prepare for all superheroes and goblins.

Wednesday, October 25: Oxnard Police Department Drive-Through Spooktacular (5:30-7:30PM)

This contact-free event will be held at the Oxnard Police Station on South "C" Street between West 2nd & 3rd Streets. We invite our neighbors to drive through our socially-distanced spooky celebration and receive a (pre-packaged & sealed) bag of treats from your Police Officers and our community partners.

Saturday, October 28: Channel Islands Harbor Parade of Frights (7PM)

The 2nd Annual Parade of Frights at the Channel Islands Harbor is a non-competitive, Halloween-themed boat parade. Prior to the Parade of Frights, a variety of organizations and businesses will be offering Halloween-related events and activities.

Monday, October 30- Tuesday, October 31: Integration Works. Inc. 3rd Annual Halloween Scream (4:30-7:30PM)

Join us for a spooktacular evening of frights and delights at the Ventura Room! Get ready for a hair-raising experience as we celebrate Halloween in style. Whether you're a vampire, witch, or zombie, come in your most terrifying costume and prepare to be scared! This in-person event promises an unforgettable night of screams, laughter, and chilling surprises. So, mark your calendars and get ready for a hauntingly good time at Integration Works 3rd Annual Halloween Scream!

Camarillo

Saturday, October 21: Trail or Treat at Camarillo Grove Park (10AM-1PM RSVP)

Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District presents “Trail or Treat” at the Camarillo Grove Park Nature Center, 6968 E. Camarillo Springs Road. Trick or treat along the Camarillo Grove Trail. “Treats” will be nature and Halloween-related - no food items will be given. Hike is one mile and registration is $5.

Saturday, October 28: Camarillo Old Town BooFest Trick or Treating (Noon-4PM)

The Camarillo Old Town BooFest free event which will include trick-or-treating and costume contest.

Saturday, October 28: Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest in Camarillo (10AM-1PM)

Bring your dog in their scariest, funniest, most original costume – or even do matching costumes with your dog, to Howl-O-Ween at Mission Oaks Park, 5501 Mission Oaks Boulevard, Camarillo (in the off leash area) Free admission. No registration necessary. Dog costume contest, pet vendors, raffles and food trucks will be on hand (or paw). Watch a show by Disc Dogs and learn how to train your dog to be a disc dog.

Tuesday, October 31: Trick or Treat at the Camarillo Premium Outlets (4-6PM)

Join Camarillo Premium Outlets and our retailers in celebrating Halloween with a Trick-or-Treat event. Visit participating stores that have a pumpkin in the window to receive a treat. Make sure to stop by our event area in Fashion Court in front of Brooks Brothers for a photo booth and more treats!

Tuesday, October 31: Halloween in the Park in Camarillo (5-8PM)

Join in on a spooky evening out at Community Center Park (1605 E. Burnley Street, Camarillo) on Halloween night with pumpkin painting, lawn games, food trucks, a costume contest for all ages and a Trick-Or-Treat Village. This event is FREE to participants.

ojai

Saturday, October 28: Halloween Bash at the Ojai Valley Museum (7-10PM)

The Ojai Valley Museum presents "Under the Full Moon" Halloween Bash. Dance to the Top Shelf Brass Band, a New Orleans style band, encounter bone-chilling experiences, enjoy spooky treats and more. Costumes encouraged. Online sales only at www.ojaivalleymuseum.org. Ticket $30 for adults, $15 for kids.

SANTA PAULA

Friday, Saturday, Sunday October 13-15, 20-22, 27-29: Santa Paula Theater Center “Ghostwalk”

The Santa Paula Theater Center presents Ghostwalk on Fridays through Sundays over the weekends of October 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29. GHOSTWALK is Ventura County's original Halloween street theater presentation, a production of the Santa Paula Theater Center, now in its 29th year! Each year GhostWalk is presented in a different historic Santa Paula location. Flashlight in hand, walkers will be led along a route where they hear ghosts tell their tales of how they met their untimely ends. Some of the stories are true and based on history, and others are made up. You decide which is which! This year’s location is the Masonic Temple at 102 N. 7th Street in Santa Paula. Tour schedules are every 15 minutes from 7-9pm on Fridays, 6:30-9pm on Saturdays and 6:30-8:30pm on Sundays. Each tour is limited to 30 people and is an hour long. Ticket are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under, with a special $12 price for adult tickets on the opening weekend only.

port hueneme

Thursday, October 26: Halloween Celebration in Port Hueneme (5-8PM)

Visit the Orvene S. Carpenter Communtiy Center at 550 Park Avenue, Port Hueneme for ths free event to include music, hay maze, treats, pumpkin patch, photo booth, face painting and more.

Saturday, October 28: Bard Mansion Halloween Dinner (6:30-11PM)

This Halloween enjoy a formal night out in what’s been known as a truly haunted mansion! The historic Bard Mansion. You will gain exclusive access to the Bard Family’s 1912 Mansion (located on the Port Hueneme Naval Base) for an unforgettable evening of DINNER (prime rib, chicken piccata or vegetarian trio w/ wine, water, coffee, tea & dessert included), MAGIC (from award winning Magic Castle magician Ron Saylor), COMEDY (with Big Tom), SELF-GUIDED GHOST TOUR, PALM & TAROT CARD READINGS and a SILENT AUCTION! Explore parts of the mansion most have never seen (including the attic & basement). For Ages 21+

All proceeds benefit Turning Point Foundation's mission: "To improve the quality of life for adults experiencing serious mental illness, addiction, lack of housing and inadequate physical health care. We do this through providing health navigation services, rehabilitation, wellness & recovery programs, as well as temporary, transitional and permanent supported housing in Ventura County."

Landlord Tips For Halloween

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 20:05:39 GMT

Prepare Your Rental Property For Halloween

Witches, zombies, ghosts.....Oh my! Most people love a good Halloween scare, as long as no one gets hurt.

As a landlord, you cannot count on your tenants to make sure your rental property is safe for a fun filled high-traffic evening.

With Halloween quickly approaching, now is the time for Landlords to start prepping their rental properties.

Here are our top five tips for property owners to prep their rental property for Halloween:

Make sure the property is well lit. Halloween means you will have drastically increased walking traffic on your rental property. Check your exterior lighting to make sure your walkways and doorsteps are well lit before trick-or-treaters arrive.

Clean up tripping hazards. Kids are excited on Halloween rushing from door to door. Make sure trick-or-treaters have safe access to your rental property by eliminating trip hazards in the walkways and yards. Trim bushes and plants away from the walkway, fill in any holes in the grass, and remind your tenants that Halloween decorations need to be kept out of common walking areas.

Service fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. Jack-o-lanterns are a Halloween tradition, and you can bet most of your tenants are participating. Eliminate fire risks by servicing interior smoke detectors and make sure your residents are aware of where the fire extinguishers are located. Fire extinguishers should be serviced annually to ensure they will properly operate in an emergency.

Ask your tenants to keep pets indoors. Halloween causes a lot of stimulation for pets. Avoid risks of a pet escaping or becoming aggressive with unexpected visitors by keeping them safely inside and away from the front door.

Advertise your vacancies. Trick-or-treaters are normally accompanied by adults, why not take advantage of the extra foot traffic and place a for rent sign out front and have flyers available for your vacancies? You never known where your next prospective tenant will come from!

Cost-Effective Bath Upgrades

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 20:09:37 GMT

Cost-Effective Bath Upgrades For Your Rental

So, the bathroom in your rental property is outdated, but you don’t have the budget for a complete remodel? A bathroom upgrade doesn’t have to be expensive!

The kitchen and bathroom are the biggest areas you can attract (or deter!) a prospective renter. The right cost-effective updates can enhance the appeal of your rental property, attract quality renters, and increase your monthly rental income, making it well worth the investment!

Consider our top 5 cost-effective bathroom updates during the next vacancy at your rental property!

#1 PAINT

A simple coat of paint, especially in a small bathroom, can make the room feel new. Painting the walls a crisp white instantly makes the space feel brighter and larger. An accent wall can add a fun design at an extremely low cost.

Feeling a little outgoing? A peel and stick wallpaper or tile can give your bath a little extra to stand out against your competitors.

#2 LIGHTING

There is no easier way to date your bathroom than an old rusted light fixture. A new trendy light fixture can give a high impact design detail. Your new lighting doesn’t need to break the budget. We have found great fixtures online as low as $30!

#3 VANITY

If a new bathroom vanity isn’t in the budget, the right updates to your existing vanity can bring it back to life. Replacing the faucet should be your first priority, and painting the vanity with new knobs can give it a brand-new look!

#4 SHOWER CURTAIN

The condition of your shower will make a huge impact on the bathroom. If you are unable to invest in a complete shower upgrade, a new shower curtain will help disguise any unsightly items in the space. A bright color or fun pattern will add subtle texture and look great in advertising.

At minimum we suggest making sure your shower has fresh caulking and is clean. If the enclosure is unsightly, refinishing the shower and a new showerhead is a great cost effective option.

#5 NEW HARDWARE

Sometimes the most impacting changes in design are the small ones! Changing out the bathroom hardware; including doorknobs, towel bars, toilet paper holder and drawer pulls, can be very inexpensive. Consider adding some contrast in your hardware with matte finishes or a bolder color such as black or gold.

Still unsure how to handle upgrading your vacancy?

Give us a call today to discuss how California Oaks Property Management can assist you with vacancy preparations in our Management Services.

Landlords Guide to Pet Screening and Pet Addendums

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 20:13:32 GMT

Landlords Guide to Pet Screening and Pet Addendums

In our last blog we covered the pros and cons of accepting a pet in your rental property. Let’s take that topic one step further and discuss investment property owner’s requirements regarding emotional support and service animals, pet applications, and pet addendums.

Emotional Support/Service Animals

Under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act; Landlords, property managers and homeowners are required to make reasonable accommodations for a person with disabilities. This includes making an adjustment to your pet policy for emotional support or service animals. The term disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act is broadly defined to include any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.

A landlord cannot deny an emotional support or service animal due to the breed, size, or weight. Additionally, they cannot require an additional security deposit, pet fee or increased rent.

With these laws in place, this is why we suggest investment property owners have a good pet screening and pet addendum policy in place.

What is a pet application?

Many property management companies and landlords require prospective tenants to fill out a separate pet application when applying for a rental property. This application serves as a way for the management company to screen the pet, verify an emotional support/assistance animal and determine if the animal fits within their pet policy guidelines.

At California Oaks, we have come across a large amount of emotional support/assistance animal requests and had difficulty verifying the authenticity of documentation provided by applicants. For this reason, we utilize a service from PetScreening.com, which is completely free to our property owners!

Pet Screening is a third-party service to screen household pets, validate reasonable accommodation requests for assistance animals (Service/ESA/Companion) and confirm every resident understands their pet policies. The pet application is a secure place to store all information about the pet, including breed and weight, animal age, veterinarian and vaccine/neutering information, and pet/renters insurance.

The legal team at Pet Screening will review all emotional support/service animal requests per FHA guidelines. The review time for assistance animal accommodation requests is 2-5 business days. According to Pet Screening, 18% of reasonable request accommodations had insufficient documentation or were discovered fraudulent.

Pet Addendum

Never underestimate the importance of a good Rental Agreement. Once you have approved a pet or emotional support/service animal at your rental property, have a pet addendum added to your Rental Agreement to outline your pet policies.

Pet Addendums will cover the number, size, and breed of permitted pets at the rental. Along with deposit requirements, and regulations covering noise, pet waste and property damage. Even tenants with permitted emotional support/service animals must abide by your pet policies.

This sounds like a lot of things to consider when screening a pet for your rental property, right? The good news, California Oaks Property Management stays up to date with Fair Housing guidelines and continuously updates our pet screening policies and pet addendums to ensure your investment property is covered.

Landlord: Should I Accept A Pet At My Rental?

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 20:16:11 GMT

Pets in your rentals. Should you allow them?

The question that all Landlords face- Should I accept pets at my rental property? There are both advantages and disadvantages to allowing pets in your rental and we understand our clients concerns. Let’s jump into the pros and cons of permitting a pet in your income property.

PROS

Charge more rent: Allowing a pet in your rental can increase it’s rent value and is often the #1 reason a landlord considers it. Many tenants with pets expect to pay more for a pet friendly property. According to online studies, most property owners increase the rent between 1-3% of the monthly rent when accepting a pet.

Attract more tenants: Making your rental property pet friendly gives you access to a larger pool of tenants and is in more high demand. As of 2023, 66% of U.S. households (86.9 million homes) own a pet. According to a survey by Apartments.com, 72% of renters have pets with 76% of millennial renters having a pet.

Reduce turnover: One of the largest expenses landlords face are vacancy costs. Tenants with pets are more likely to view their rental as a permanent residence and stay in their rental longer because it is harder to find pet friendly options.

CONS

Property damage: A landlord’s biggest fear- Will a pet cause damage to my rental? Accepting a pet does increase your risk of damage such as scratched flooring, pest infestations, urination, and damaged landscaping. We recommend charging an extra pet deposit, which can range from $250-$500 per pet depending on the breed.

Noise complaints: Let’s face it, dogs bark. As a landlord you are responsible for creating an environment of quiet enjoyment for your tenants. Noise complaints from pets can be tricky and hard for the pet owner to correct.

Legality: There is an increased risk of an animal biting another resident or neighbors. While landlords are not generally liable, you should discuss this with your insurer and consider requiring pet owners to have renters insurance.

Keep in mind, income property owners must comply with California's Fair Employment and Housing Act, which requires a landlord to allow an emotional support or service animal to live in their rental property. Learn more about emotional support animals, pet screening and pet addendums in our next blog.

Our Service Area- Ventura Keys

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 20:18:45 GMT

Ventura Keys

Located next to Pierpont Beach, Ventura Keys is a beautiful waterfront community consisting of single-family residences and duplexes. Dating back to 1965, most homes in this community were built between 1965-1979 and the community has continued to develop over the years. The neighborhood is known for its amazing location, showcasing boat dock homes accessing the canals leading to the Pacific Ocean.

This family friendly neighborhood has several amenities such as tennis courts and The Little Beach, a quaint playground located at the end of the canal with picnic benches, barbeque area and children’s play equipment. Residents of this community will enjoy water activities such as kayaking, boating and paddle boarding.

The neighborhood is within walking distance of the beach, Marina Park and Pierpont Beach entertainment and dining. A quick bike ride to Ventura Harbor provides you with even more shopping and dining options. The location will give you the coastal lifestyle you have always dreamed of!

California Oaks Property Management proudly services Ventura Keys for your Property Management needs with a current portfolio of Single-Family Homes and Duplexes in the area. Whether you are looking to relocate to Ventura Keys or own rental property in the area, call us today to see how California Oaks can assist in your rental needs!

california-oaks-pm

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Holiday Season: Is The Rental Market Affected?

A look into how the holiday season affects the rental market.

Does the time of year change the rental market?

How should landlords prepare?

2023 Halloween Activities

Your Local 2023 Halloween Activity Guide!

Ventura

Oxnard

Camarillo

ojai

SANTA PAULA

port hueneme

Landlord Tips For Halloween

Prepare Your Rental Property For Halloween ﻿

Cost-Effective Bath Upgrades

Cost-Effective Bath Upgrades For Your Rental

#1 PAINT

#2 LIGHTING

#3 VANITY

#4 SHOWER CURTAIN

#5 NEW HARDWARE

Landlords Guide to Pet Screening and Pet Addendums

Landlords Guide to Pet Screening and Pet Addendums

Landlord: Should I Accept A Pet At My Rental?

Pets in your rentals. Should you allow them?

Our Service Area- Ventura Keys

Ventura Keys

Prepare Your Rental Property For Halloween