Becoming a landlord

As you get ready to build a second unit, it’s important to consider what it will be like to be a landlord.

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Things to consider

Being a landlord comes with a number of responsibilities that can be addressed by making sure you follow a structured, well-thought-out series of steps:

  1. Preliminary steps

    Prepare to rent your unit by getting insurance, setting up utilities, and developing a plan to handle the finances.

  2. The law and being a landlord

    You will need to understand all the laws related to being a landlord, especially with regards to discrimination.

  3. Setting the rent

    Learn how to establish a fair rent that will attract and keep good tenants. Maximizing the rent is often not the only consideration.


  4. Rental leases

    Make sure your lease (or rental agreement if it is month-to-month) clearly identifies all of the expectations for you and your future tenant.

  5. Finding a tenant

    Understand how to successfully advertise your unit and select a good tenant.

  6. Tenant management

    Have a long-term plan for the care and upkeep of your second unit, and how to address any issues with your tenant.

Step-by-step guidance

No matter what your needs are, access to quality, unbiased information is your right. Follow along as we provide essential information and resources to guide you at every stage of your journey.

Progress

HPP CARES CDE's accomplishments these past few years have been significant and all-encompassing; striving to advocate under the National Coalition for Equities’ umbrella to maintain a powerful community voice among the Federal and State regulators and major private sector corporations to address public policy issues, and to focus on the wealth & income inequality affecting affordable homeownership and small business growth. With the NCFE, HPP CARES CDE’s outreach efforts have led to an increase in corporate social responsibility and consumer protection. We have been able to reach more people, collaborate with more companies, meet with more regulators, all in the name of helping deserving individuals become sustainable homebuyers, successful small business owners, protected consumers and empowering California communities. HPP CARES CDE is at the forefront of helping people of color become partners in our mission to reduce income and wealth inequality and build stronger futures for all minority groups.