What f I have multiple LLC's for different properties and want to operate under the same DBA ?

Question

I have a name in mind that I would like to use for branding of my corporate rentals.  If I have a few properties in each LLC, can I have the same DBA so that all my tenants put the same name on their rent checks?

Dion DePaoli · Answer

You can roll your all of the companies into one Fictitious Name (DBA).  Keep in mind that is still just a name and not a new entity.  You would want to make sure you have controls in place to definitively keep each of the assets and liabilities separate for each underlying entity.

Another concept you might think of is actually opening the company as a legal entity with your desired name and then turn that company into the parent company and manager of all of subsidiary companies consolidating up into the parent. Chat with a tax guy about the tax benefits.  Administratively this might be a little easier to keep track of since it will be the actual entity.

Dion DePaoli · Answer

I don't know if I would say have two LLC's one for property management and one for ownership of the assets subsidiaries, if that is what you meant.  I meant that those functions would be all inclusive in the parent company.

Example:

Parent, LLC
  --> Asset 1, LLC
       --> Property 1
       --> Property 2
  --> Asset 2, LLC
       --> Property 1
       --> Property 2

Parent can take in all checks into Parent, LLC bank account and then distribute the total accordingly to Asset 1 and Asset 2.  You should get some CPA advice on the most efficient way to setup and post to each of those entities.  I think you might be able to just post the income to each respective sub LLC opposed to making a deposit into each sub LLC bank account.  This will also depend on if you have partners or not.

Josh P. · Answer

...hence the question about the DBA....

Josh P. · Answer

I've looked into it a little more and I like the strategy of setting up a management LLC to take rents and and operation LLC for each property (or properties if they don't have much equity)

I know this is kindve dumb but I'm having trouble visualizing who the tenant will make the check out to when I move my properties into LLCs