RHA Rental Property Coach radio show running strong

A reminder for folks looking for a way to find help with their rental. RHA hosts the Rental Property Coach radio show each Saturday morning at 9:00 am and takes calls from landlords and tenants. RHA President Julie Johnson hosts the show which features in-studio guests covering a variety of topics. Archives of the show are also available on RHA's website.

Yakima to offer training on crime-free rental housing

Landlords and rental property owners are invited to free training on the city's crime-free rental housing program.

The four-part seminar begins Tuesday with a scheduled presentation by state Attorney General Rob McKenna and state Rep. Charles Ross, R-Naches. Subsequent sessions will be on Oct. 27 and Nov. 1 and 3.

The crime-free rental housing program, started three years ago by the Yakima Police Department, is designed to reduce crime and behavior problems in rental properties.

Classes will outline the crime-free program, as well as crime prevention, block watch, warning signs of drug and gang activity, screening and evicting tenants, the role of code enforcement and other topics.

Police have registered about 2,000 rental properties in a program database and can notify property managers each time they respond to incidents at those locations. Police say that landlords, who can use the incident data to support evictions or other legal action, have been happy with the program.

The classes will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on each date at the Harman Center, 101 N. 65th Ave. Participants should expect to attend the entire series, organizers said.

Sgt. Linda Watts can provide more information or help in registering for class. She can be contacted at 509-575-6178 or lwatts@ci.yakima.wa.us.

Rental Housing Association PAC announces 2011 supported candidates list

Ballots are close to being in your mailbox and RHA's Political Action Committee is pleased to announce it's finalized list of 2011 supported candidates.

All candidates receiving PAC support are supported first, foremost, and only on RHAPAC’s belief that they are the best candidates out there for the rental housing industry. Their recognition of rental housing as a valuable asset to communities, their commitment to allowing rental housing to function as a market-based industry, and a willingness to work with the rental housing industry toward the common goal of providing safe and healthy housing give RHA the best chance of continuing to serve your best interests legislatively.

Sign of the times

One of the ongoing themes of the recession slow economy is the plight of "accidental landlords." You know, folks that bought a place only to fall in to a situation where they can no longer afford to pay the mortgage themselves, but who can't sell the property either because of how far underwater they are on the mortgage. The Seattle Times recently printed an interesting article describing the phenomena.

And speaking of bed bugs...

Not a story to take lightly, although common sense might keep most out of trouble, but it looks like bed bugs are becoming so much of a problem that some people are trying DIY methods to kill the bugs only to make themselves sick.

All about bedbugs

The Seattle Times ran a good, informative article dedicated to the ins and outs of bedbugs. Bedbugs seem to be becoming more and more of an issue for landlords lately, and they're usually pretty difficult to deal with. To read the article click this link.

This blog contains general information and is not intended to apply to any specific situation. If you need legal advice or have questions about the application of the law in a particular matter, you should consult a lawyer.

Information about cable rights in Seattle now online

Seattle's Office of Cable Communications now has information posted online for rental housing owners regarding your rights when negotiating for cable service at your multifamily properties. For information visit: http://www.seattle.gov/cable/

This blog contains general information and is not intended to apply to any specific situation. If you need legal advice or have questions about the application of the law in a particular matter, you should consult a lawyer.