I’m a new landlord in CA and missed the 21 day window to return the security deposit (I thought I had 30 days).

Crime is on the rise, property protections for landlords is nearly non-existent, and development is leaving the area for more favorable regulations. 

I started as a reluctant landlord when I had to move and rent out our family home several years ago.

Yessir.....Avoid taking any landlord advice from that dude.

Tenant also agrees to the following:-All drains, waste pipes, and plumbing are accepted as clear by Tenant at the time of occupancy, and any material blocking them after occupancy shall be repaired at Landlord’s cost, unless determined by repair person that such blockage occurred during the time Tenant controlled the Premises and due to some fault or negligenceCOVENANTS OF LANDLORD.

Make sure the deposits are transferred and not deducted from purchase price, otherwise you will need to come out of pocket when tenants move out.You should also make tenants and landlord sign an estoppel agreement, which outlines important items and agreed to, so the tenant cannot claim to have a huge deposit later or claim that the prior owner gave him ownership of the shed in the backyard.

Hello, we are researching landlord insurance for our first rental properties on the FL Space Coast.

I did self manage and self lease, so I screened all tenants looking for no evictions, no criminal background, good landlord references, long term tenancy, etc.  

Legal and regulatory considerations include landlord-tenant laws, property tax rates, building codes and zoning regulations, and insurance coverage.

Hello Andrew, Not being professional landlords we were didn't know what we didn't know and priced the rental without utilities.