To become a private landlord, you have to treat the property as a business before you treat it as a rental: bring it up to habitability code, replace your homeowner’s insurance with a landlord policy, decide whether to hold it in an LLC, register with your local housing authority, and learn the federal rules that govern how you screen applicants, write the lease, and handle the deposit. The landlords who get sued in their first year almost always skipped one of these steps.
Get the Property to Habitability Standards
Every residential lease carries an implied warranty of habitability. Even if your lease says nothing about repairs, the law in most jurisdictions requires you to keep the property safe and livable for the entire tenancy, and tenants can withhold rent or break the lease if you don’t.
At a minimum, habitability means working plumbing with hot and cold water, a reliable heating system, sound electrical wiring, a weather-tight roof and windows, and functioning smoke detectors in sleeping areas. Most jurisdictions also require carbon monoxide detectors on every habitable level. Local building and fire codes set the technical specifics, and an inspector will check them before issuing the permits you need to rent legally.
If your property was built before 1978, federal law adds another layer. Under the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act, you must give every prospective tenant a lead hazard information pamphlet and disclose any known lead paint or lead paint hazards before the lease is signed.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC Chapter 63A – Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction You also have to provide any lead inspection reports you have. Skipping this disclosure exposes you to federal penalties and private lawsuits, and it is one of the most commonly overlooked requirements for first-time landlords with older homes.
Many municipalities require a formal inspection and a Certificate of Occupancy or rental permit before you can lease the property. Penalties for renting without the required permits vary, but they can include per-violation fines and, in some jurisdictions, the loss of your ability to collect rent until the property is brought into compliance.
Switch Your Insurance to a Landlord Policy
A standard homeowner’s policy does not cover a property you rent out. Most policies explicitly exclude long-term rental use, which means a fire, a liability claim, or a tenant lawsuit could leave you completely uninsured. Before your first tenant moves in, you need a landlord insurance policy, sometimes called a rental dwelling policy.
Landlord insurance covers three things a homeowner’s policy won’t handle properly. First, liability protection if a tenant or visitor is injured on the property and you’re found responsible. Second, the building structure and any furnishings or equipment you provide, such as appliances or lawn equipment. Third, fair rental income coverage, which replaces lost rent if a covered event like a fire or storm makes the property uninhabitable during repairs.
Premiums run higher than a homeowner’s policy for a comparable property because tenants create additional risk. Shop quotes from several insurers and confirm the policy covers the specific risks your property faces, including water damage, vandalism, and natural disasters common to your area. The premium is tax-deductible as a rental expense.
Set Up the Business Side
Running the rental as a business, not a personal side project, protects your finances and simplifies your taxes. The first decision is whether to hold the property in your own name or through a Limited Liability Company. An LLC creates a legal barrier between the rental business and your personal assets. If a tenant sues and wins a judgment, they can reach the LLC’s assets but generally cannot go after your personal bank accounts or other property, as long as you keep the two truly separate.
That separation has to be real. Mixing personal funds with rental income in the same bank account, paying personal bills from the LLC account, or failing to maintain basic business records can allow a court to disregard the LLC entirely and hold you personally liable. Open a dedicated bank account for rental income and expenses, and run every property transaction through it.
If you form an LLC, you’ll need a Certificate of Formation (or Articles of Organization, depending on the state) and an Employer Identification Number from the IRS. Even without an LLC, the IRS may require an EIN if you have employees or file certain tax returns. You’ll also need your property deed and the tax parcel number assigned by your county assessor. Many jurisdictions require you to designate a registered agent with a physical address in the state to accept legal notices on your behalf.
Register the Rental With Your Local Government
Many cities and counties require landlords to register their rental properties with a local housing authority or building department before leasing them. Registration typically involves submitting ownership documentation, emergency contact information, the name of any property management company you use, and lead paint disclosure forms for pre-1978 properties. Some jurisdictions also require a separate business license.
Fees, renewal intervals, and processing times vary. Some municipalities offer online portals; others require mailed applications with a cashier’s check or money order. Incomplete applications and incorrect fees get returned. Successful registration produces a landlord license number or rental permit that should be kept with your business records. In jurisdictions that require registration, you generally cannot lawfully collect rent until the registration is approved.
Licenses and registrations are not one-time events. Many jurisdictions require annual renewal, and some tie renewal to periodic property inspections. Missing a renewal deadline can bring fines and the suspension of your authority to rent. Set a calendar reminder well before the expiration date.
Know the Federal Laws Before You Advertise
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on seven protected classes: race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and national origin.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC 3604 – Discrimination in the Sale or Rental of Housing and Other Prohibited Practices It applies to nearly every landlord in the country, and it governs not just who you rent to but how you advertise, what questions you ask applicants, and what terms you offer.
The disability protections are broader than many new landlords realize. You cannot refuse to rent to someone because of a physical or mental disability, and you must allow tenants with disabilities to make reasonable modifications to the unit at their own expense. You’re also required to make reasonable accommodations in your rules and policies when necessary for a person with a disability to have equal use of the dwelling.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC 3604 – Discrimination in the Sale or Rental of Housing and Other Prohibited Practices
Violations carry serious consequences. In HUD administrative proceedings, a first-time violation can result in a civil penalty of up to $26,262, with higher tiers for repeat violators.3Federal Register. Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalty Amounts for 2025 Tenants can also file private lawsuits seeking actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees.4Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC 3613 – Enforcement by Private Persons The best protection is to apply identical screening criteria to every applicant and document every decision.
Screen Tenants the Right Way
You can screen tenants using credit reports, criminal background checks, and rental history, but the Fair Credit Reporting Act sets specific rules when you use consumer reports to make rental decisions. If you deny an application, require a co-signer, charge a higher deposit, or impose any other less favorable terms based on a consumer report, federal law treats that as an “adverse action” and triggers a mandatory notice requirement.5Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 15 USC 1681m – Requirements on Users of Consumer Reports
Your adverse action notice has to include the name, address, and phone number of the reporting agency that provided the report; a statement that the reporting agency did not make the rental decision and cannot explain why you took the action; notice that the applicant can dispute the accuracy of the report and request a free copy within 60 days; and, if a credit score factored into your decision, the score itself, its range, the date it was created, and the key factors that hurt the score.
Many landlords skip this step because they don’t realize the FCRA applies to them. It does. The FTC has published specific guidance confirming that landlords who use consumer reports are covered.6Federal Trade Commission. Using Consumer Reports: What Landlords Need to Know Failing to provide the required notice can result in federal liability, including statutory damages per violation.
Write a Real Lease
Your lease is the single most important document in the landlord-tenant relationship. A well-drafted lease prevents disputes; a vague one invites them. Every residential lease should cover the full names of all adult occupants, the property address, the monthly rent, the due date, the security deposit amount, the lease term, and which utilities the tenant pays.
Beyond the basics, your lease should address late fees, maintenance responsibilities, guest policies, pet rules, renewal and termination procedures, and the process for handling repair requests. Many jurisdictions also require specific disclosures to be included in or attached to the lease, such as lead paint disclosures for pre-1978 homes, mold disclosures, or information about the tenant’s right to a habitable dwelling. Using a generic lease template downloaded from the internet is one of the most common mistakes new landlords make. The template may not comply with your state’s requirements, and the gaps only become obvious once you’re already in a dispute.
Late fees belong in the lease, but most states regulate what you can charge. Some cap late fees at a specific percentage of monthly rent; others require only that the fee be “reasonable.” A common range is 4% to 10% of monthly rent, but you need to check your state’s rules. Whatever you charge has to be spelled out in the lease.
Handle Security Deposits by the Book
Security deposits are the most heavily regulated area of landlord-tenant law, and mishandling them is the fastest way for a new landlord to end up in court. The rules are set at the state level and vary, but most states regulate three things: how much you can collect, where you must keep it, and how quickly you must return it.
Maximum deposit amounts typically range from one to three months’ rent, with most states capping at one to two months. Some states set different limits for furnished and unfurnished units. A handful of states impose no statutory cap, though charging an excessive deposit will drive away applicants.
Many states require you to hold the deposit in a separate account, not mixed with your personal or operating funds. Some require you to pay interest on the deposit if you hold it beyond a certain period, and to disclose the name and address of the financial institution to the tenant in writing.
When the tenancy ends, you typically have 14 to 30 days to return the deposit, depending on your state. If you deduct for damages beyond normal wear and tear, you must provide an itemized statement listing each deduction and its cost. Missing the return deadline or failing to itemize can expose you to penalties, and in some states the consequence is liability for double or even triple the deposit amount. Document the unit’s condition with photos before move-in and after move-out, and the lawsuits are almost always preventable.
Allow Assistance Animals Even With a No-Pets Rule
Even if your lease says “no pets,” you are generally required to allow assistance animals as a reasonable accommodation for tenants with disabilities. This applies to both trained service animals and emotional support animals, and it comes directly from the Fair Housing Act’s prohibition on disability discrimination.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC 3604 – Discrimination in the Sale or Rental of Housing and Other Prohibited Practices You cannot charge pet fees or pet deposits for assistance animals.
When a tenant’s disability and need for the animal are not obvious, you can ask for documentation. HUD guidance says a reliable form of documentation is a letter from the tenant’s healthcare provider confirming a disability that affects a major life activity and explaining the animal’s role in providing disability-related assistance.7U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Fact Sheet on HUD’s Assistance Animals Notice You cannot demand extensive medical records, and HUD has specifically flagged certificates or registrations purchased from websites as insufficient proof of a disability-related need.
Denying a legitimate assistance animal request is a Fair Housing violation. If you’re unsure whether a request qualifies, the safer path is to grant it.
Respect the Tenant’s Privacy After Move-In
Once a tenant moves in, you cannot enter the property whenever you want. Tenants have a right to quiet enjoyment of their home, which means you need a legitimate reason and proper notice. Most states require at least 24 to 48 hours of advance notice for non-emergency entries like inspections, repairs, or showing the unit to prospective tenants. Emergency situations like a burst pipe or fire allow immediate entry without notice.
Entering without proper notice or for no legitimate purpose can constitute harassment or illegal entry, and tenants can pursue remedies including lease termination and damages. Build your entry procedures into the lease so expectations are clear from the start.
Evict Through the Courts, Never by Self-Help
If a tenant stops paying rent or violates the lease, you cannot change the locks, shut off utilities, or remove their belongings. These “self-help” evictions are illegal in virtually every state, and the tenant can recover damages against you even if they owed you months of back rent. Eviction has to go through the courts.
The process starts with a written notice. For unpaid rent, most states require a “pay or quit” notice giving the tenant a short window, commonly three to five days, to pay what’s owed or move out. For other lease violations that can be corrected, a “cure or quit” notice gives the tenant a chance to fix the problem. If the tenant doesn’t comply, you file an eviction lawsuit, often called an unlawful detainer action, with your local court. If the court rules in your favor, it issues an order of possession and a sheriff or marshal carries out the physical eviction. Courts are sympathetic to tenants who have been illegally locked out, and the damages a landlord pays for self-help eviction routinely exceed what the tenant owed in rent.
Report the Income and Take the Deductions
Rental income is taxable, and the IRS expects you to report it even if your expenses exceed what you collect. Individual landlords report rental income and expenses on Schedule E (Form 1040).8Internal Revenue Service. About Schedule E (Form 1040), Supplemental Income and Loss
The tax code lets you deduct a wide range of expenses that directly reduce your taxable rental income. Common deductions include mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance premiums, repair and maintenance costs, advertising, property management fees, legal and professional fees, and utilities you pay on behalf of the property.9Internal Revenue Service. Renting Residential and Vacation Property
The largest tax benefit for most landlords is depreciation. The IRS allows you to deduct the cost of the building, not the land, over a 27.5-year recovery period using the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System.10Internal Revenue Service. Publication 527, Residential Rental Property Depreciation is a paper deduction that reduces your taxable income without requiring you to spend additional money each year. The math is straightforward: divide the building’s cost basis by 27.5 for your annual deduction.
Keep meticulous records. Every receipt, invoice, and bank statement related to the property should be organized and retained. If you’re ever audited, the IRS requires you to substantiate every deduction you claim.