All Forum Posts by: Tim Miller

Hi Taghlub,

Not sure where your rental is located or what year it was built. In Maryland each county can have different requirements. I would check with your county first to see what they require. 

I would use Legal Zoom, they also provide the lead documents need in Maryland if your property was built before 1978. Good luck 

Hi John,

The local Landlord Association recommends James Russell Robinson III. Good luck. 

@Nancy P.

The Americans With Disabilities Act does apply to leasing and miniature horses are included in the act.

Check out www.ada.gov or just search HUD website for the information.

@Michael Ablan: I am almost speechless at how many investors/landlords don't bother to learn what the "LAW" really says about this issue.

Service Animal - Per the ADA:

Is an animal that performs a specific task.

Notice it say "Animal" meaning singular not multiple.

A service animal is only a dog or miniature horse.

If their disability is not noticable you have the right to know what specific task has the dog been trained to do.

Emotional support animal:

Again, this is singular and not plural.

The online certificates are not worth the paper they are printed on. A social worker cannot authorize an emotional support animal. Psychiatrist or a physician is the only one that can do this in most States. Again check with a lawyer when in doubt. But remember it's an emotional support animal not animals.

@Ben Safren We use LegalZoom, $50 for creating the lease and only $9.95 to update with new tenants afterwards.

Not sure what year your rental was built but if before 1978. You must provide a lead pamphlet with all required information to the tenants. This is included with the lease from LegalZoom.

We've used More Than A Carpenter from Boonsboro, MD

Great work and reasonable.

in Maryland you have to give them 30 day notice to vacate, as you're not renewing the monthly agreement. 

Have the court paperwork ready to go on the 31st day. Just in case they don't leave. 

Try Middletown Valley Bank, we use them and they require only 20% down at 5% interest. They are great to work with.

Hi Nick,

Yes it is legal to have security cameras. We have them for our home and some of our rentals. There is no law stating that you have to have any Warning labels. 

Tim

To all investors and landlords, Hagerstown city council is at it again! They are proposing to make mandatory  rental inspections every 36 months, regardless if there is a tenant living there or not. Below is a partial copy of an email I received from the landlord association.

Good day, This is an URGENT matter. This letter was presented to our group from xxxxx and we appreciate his time to help with this issue.

The City of Hagerstown staff is proposing to change the Rental Registration ordinance and make it even more restrictive then it currently is. I have attached a comparison of the Current vs Proposed provided by city staff with some of my thoughts. Also attached is a copy of the actual proposed ordinance, PLEASE review the ordinance COMPLETELY.

The Hagerstown City Council wants to hear from you. They are having a hearing open to Landlords, Tenants and stake holders (general public as well) to provide them with your comments, concerns and ideas. Make your thoughts and presence known.

The hearing is;

Date: May 15th

Time: 5:00 pm

Location: 2nd Floor of City Hall

1 E. Franklin Street (corner of E. Franklin St. & N. Potomac St.)

It is IMPORTANT that the city council hears and sees you, please attend this meeting and pass this information on to others. Even if you do not speak, show your support to others by your presence.

Please email the Mayor and Council or come to this meeting to help stop this.