Being a landlord can be a great way to earn extra income, especially if you own property in a desirable location. Not only will you be able to charge rent, but you’ll also likely see an increase in the value of your property over time. And, as the landlord, you’ll have the final say on who rents your property, meaning you can screen tenants and choose those most likely to take care of your property and pay their rent on time. Of course, being a landlord also comes with some responsibilities, such as ensuring your property is well-maintained and complying with local regulations. But overall, being a landlord can be a great business venture that can provide you with financial security for years to come.
And as a rental business owner, it’s essential to know that there are multiple ways to increase your profits legally. With the right strategy, you can take advantage of loopholes and make the most out of your rental business. Here’s an overview of some of the most common legal loopholes for rental business owners:
The Long-Term Lease Loophole
One way to increase your rental profits is by signing tenants to long-term leases. This way, you can charge a higher rate since the tenant is committed to staying for a longer period. You can also include a clause in the lease that allows you to raise the rent after several years. However, consult a lawyer before including this clause in your lease agreement.
The Rent-to-Own Loophole
Another way to increase your profits is by offering tenants a rent-to-own agreement. This type of agreement allows tenants to purchase the property they’re renting from you eventually. While the tenant lives on the property, they’ll be responsible for paying rent and maintaining it.
There are several benefits for landlords who offer rent-to-own agreements, including:
- You don’t have to worry about finding new tenants every year
- You’ll receive a higher monthly rent payment
- The tenant will be more likely to take care of the property since they plan on owning it one day
The Late Fee Loophole
As a landlord, you can charge late fees if your tenants don’t pay their rent on time. However, some states have laws limiting how much landlords can charge in late fees. Make sure to check with your state’s laws before charging any late fees to your tenants.
The Security Deposit Loophole
When a tenant moves into one of your rental units, you’re allowed to charge them a security deposit. This deposit is usually equal to one month’s rent, and it’s used to cover any damages that the tenant causes during their stay. In most cases, the security deposit will be refunded back to the tenant when they move out (assuming there was no damage done to the unit). However, some states allow landlords to keep part or all of the security deposit if the damage was done to the unit. Again, check with your state’s laws before keeping any part of the security deposit.
The Non-Refundable Pet Deposit Loophole
If you allow pets in your rental units, you’re allowed to charge tenants a pet deposit fee. This fee is usually non-refundable, and it’s used to cover any damages that the pet may cause during their stay. In most cases, landlords will also require tenants to sign a pet policy agreement before moving in, which outlines expectations for pet ownership (e.g., how many pets are allowed, what type of pets are allowed, etc.).
The Capital Allowance Loophole
When renting out a property, you may be able to claim capital allowances on certain items. These items could include the cost of furnishings, white goods, and other fixtures and fittings. To claim capital allowances, you’ll need to keep records of all the costs involved in setting up the property for renting. You can then offset these costs against any income you receive from renting the property.
There are some restrictions on claiming capital allowances, so it’s important to get professional advice from consultants specializing in capital allowances for residential renting. The consultants will help you identify which items you can claim allowances on and how much you can claim. They can also help you with the paperwork and calculations to claim the allowances. With the right advice, you can maximize your return on investment when renting out a property.
There are several legal loopholes that rental business owners can take advantage of to increase their profits. Using long-term leases, rent-to-own agreements, late fees, security deposits, non-refundable pet deposits, and capital allowances, you can maximize your earnings and gain financial stability moving forward. Just ensure that you’re familiar with your state’s laws before taking advantage of any loopholes.
