It's a problem that is going to be addressed one of three ways: 1) by market operation, 2) by government legislation, or 3) violent uprising.

Here the Government Standard Lease form which most landlords use includes a 7-page appendix containing the key points of tenant/landlord rights and obligations from the legislation and a URL to the entire legislation on-line.Most tenants - or probably landlords for than matter - never read the material, so its presence has no real impact on Landlord - Tenant relations.

Also, you need to worry about the Dodd Frank act and the Safe Act, there is legislation in those that can land you in jail for creating owner financed notes the wrong way.

We put water,sewer,and trash into the lease to make sure it is paid and not under the tenants control.So we will have base rent plus these utilities listed in the rent for a total rent price.Fulton county is one of the few counties in Georgia where a water lien SURVIVES foreclosure.No way to get rid of it except through the local council person with legislation or negotiating a payoff of the lien.With our apartment units the benefit is we get the bill so we can moniter water usage.If the bill is really large you can use a water leak adjustment form with the Fulton county water authority.Depending on the age of your property pay special attention to leaky faucets and old toilets leaking at the wax seal,the return line,and or the tank into the bowl.If you have plumbing leaks anywhere it will drive the water bill up.If you have an outside water spigot get it capped off or removed.Tenants are notorious for using water outside and driving the bill up.You better get a hold of this lien issue now or it will get worse.

John, any chance you could provide some links to this legislation or legal opinions?

The attorney we use is well versed in the Landlord/Tenant laws and can also assist the owners with wage garnishments if the owner wishes to pursue that.Feel free to read up on the topic here:http://ali.state.al.us/legislation/landlord_tenant.pdfI'd be happy to help with more specific information if you need anything else.

Some very good answers.I have a been a little uncertain about my terms, vacillating from 3 to 5 k down and options on Monthly payments.

"THE CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU HAS PUBLISHED THE FINAL REGULATIONS ON THE DODD-FRANK LEGISLATION AND IT WILL AFFECT THE WAY REAL ESTATE INVESTORS WILL DO THEIR BUSINESS ONCE THEY KICK IN."

I would bet 1000 cases of Lone Star longnecks that John Jackson knows the lease option laws and regs (executable contracts) from the idiot RE legislators in Austin TX better than any man alive or dead.Any BP poster care to wager?

Whether or not it is a permanent move is uncertain, but I feel like living in the same area as my investments will allow me to better learn the industry, and once i get real comfortable with everything then i can move where I want.