Potential Landlords Learn the Ropes

Local property owners thinking of becoming landlords learned the details about tenant selection, property management, insurance, record keeping, and tax issues at a recent seminar sponsored by Travel Beautiful Appalachia, Inc. (TBAI). With the expected demand for rental housing accompanying the construction of the new federal prison and in response to the local lack of information and assistance for potential landlords, TBAI partnered with SHED (SAFE Housing and Economic Development) to present this half-day workshop.

The meeting began with participants listing their questions - how to screen potential tenants, how and why a lease can be cancelled, where to find maintenance help, how many people can live in one unit, how much rent to charge. All these questions were answered during the course of the workshop.

The ten participants received sample rental applications and lease agreements, as well as sample tax forms and tips for being a successful landlord. The presenters for the half-day seminar were Cathy Rose, director of SHED, and Becky Abel, project coordinator for TBAI. Ms. Rose's expertise in local rental housing and Ms. Abel's background in real estate investment provided a broad range of practical and pertinent information. Ms. Rose stated, “We were anxious to give people a good start in being responsible landlords with practical information about having their property ready to rent, selecting good tenants, and preventing legal problems.”

Participants felt that the information about the rental process, regulations to be followed, and contacts for further assistance were very helpful. A second landlord workshop may be scheduled in the future.

Travel Beautiful Appalachia (TBAI) is a non-profit organization promoting economic development opportunities to the people of McDowell , Wyoming , and Mercer Counties . If you are interested in participating in TBAI workshops and/or business training classes, please call (304) 862-4800 or (304) 862-3364.