7 Things You Should Never Do as a Landlord

If you want to be a successful landlord, with responsible, happy tenants in your rental properties -- which doesn't usually happen in a vacuum -- landlords, like all small-business owners, need to be proactive to achieve success. Not only must you have a property that meets a federal law called the "implied warranty of habitability" (meaning your property needs to be in livable condition), you will strike goodwill and possibly loyalty in your tenants by being a responsive landlord. Selecting tenants is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a landlord.