Best/worst places to be a landlord

[Leah Culler]

I know this topic has been addressed on Bigger Pockets before, but I'm researching an article about the best places to be a landlord (as well as the best places to be a tenant). I'd love to hear from some landlords about whether their state or city is good for landlords or bad for them, and why. Laws, property taxes, rental rates ... whatever the factors are that make you like being a landlord where you are (or hate it). This will be for publication on MSN.com, and I would love to get as much input as possible from all of you. Respond to this thread or shoot me a note, particularly if you don't mind being quoted.

[Steve L.]

I am a landlord in Southern California's Inland Empire. California is not the most landlord friendly state and things seem to be getting more difficult.

Many cities are requiring yearly inspections on any property that is tenant occupied charging landlords $100-300 to inspect each property.

The county assessor always seem asses my properties for 20% to 50% more than my purchase price (so much for prop 13).

If my tenants don't pay certain utility bills they can lien my property and force me to pay the bill.

The eviction process is a nightmare. Especially if you get someone who knows hot work the system.

Now for the good news:

My occupancy rate remains very high with multiple applicants for each property I have available.

Tenants seem to stay a long-time and like living here.

Properties can be bought at a major bargain. Typically paying 25-35% of what these properties sold for at the peak in 2006.