A landlord is required to provide a safe and habitable residence, but landlords and tenants share responsibility for keeping it that way. Tenants should maintain sanitary conditions and contact the landlord whenever repairs are needed.

Landlords need tools and supplies for painting, basic repair, and cleaning. It's also important to have copies of important paperwork and spare keys to deal with lockouts.

Keep your rental property safe by monitoring GFI outlets, smoke detectors, railings, structural repairs, door locks, lead paint, pest control, and appliance maintenance.

Considering buying a foreclosure for your next rental property? Consider these things first.

Whether you're a landlord or a tenant, you can save water without busting the budget.

Find out which hardscaping elements tenants want, so you can set a higher rent amount for your rental property.

A trustworthy contractor usually has a network of tradespeople who can step in when the need arises. Find the right person and you may never have to search for qualified maintenance support again.

If you leave your rental in bad shape when you move out, your landlord can hold the cleaning costs from your security deposit. After all, it's your mess. But the security deposit is your money. You want as much of it back as possible, right? So what are your responsibilities?

A careful inspection of your property in the spring is necessary to identify issues that have developed during the cold winter months. Make a list of urgent and not-so-urgent repairs and keep it handy to remind you to make the repairs.