All Forum Posts by: Lynn Dee Murrow

We have seen a slight increase in price in the North Texas market among investor focused contractors. They are experiencing what you describe, working long hours and having more business then they can handle. Some of the good ones are having trouble keeping their teams. They are breaking off and forming their own companies because they see the opportunity to make more money on their own I guess.

I have not seen a huge influx of out of state contractors like we see out of state roofers when we have a big hail storm, but I am waiting for it :-) Although right now everyone can probably find plenty of work right in their own backyard.

The market is definitely HOT!

In North Texas more and more cities are requiring rental registration. It started around 2004 and has picked up steam in the last few years. There have been many lawsuits centered around right to privacy and calls for a statewide ban, but for now the requirements are there.

Inspections are required in Dallas, Hurst, Richardson, Garland, Carrollton, Coppell and Little Elm to name a few.

The inspections are required when the property is first put into service as a rental and then again within 30 days of a new tenant moving in. I make sure inspections are done before tenants move in so they are not inconvenienced by the process.

On the positive side, the inspections are designed to make sure rentals are a safe and healthy place to live. If you are an effective landlord you maintain your property and should have no problem meeting those standards.

Problems arise, however, when a city requires arbitrary items in rental properties. The city of Garland has gone back and forth on the issue of window screens. They required window screens but then backed off this position when tenants were being charged for replacing damaged or lost screens. The requirement may be back by now. The increasing fines and fees are also an issue for landlords as many cities move to yearly inspections.

As a responsible landlord I support efforts to make sure rental housing meets some minimum safety and health standards. Unfortunately, we cannot rely on ALL landlords to properly maintain their property. Because of the few slumlords the rest of us fall under regulation. I do think it is time, however, for landlords to come together in an organized fashion and work with cities for policies and procedures that work.