We have a 14-page management contract that we've added our real experiences to over the years, with the intent of protecting both us AND the landlord.

And there are many possible ways that can be resolved and most don't involve hiking up property taxes so high that most people can no longer afford to be a landlord. 

To minimize delays, it is important that you get approval to be a section 8 landlord from each housing authority.

-- We focus on verifying 2-year work history and verifying rent payments with last 2 landlords (unless in same property for 5+ years).3) MoveIn Specials: be careful with offering "free rent" as will just attract tenants with no cash.-- Try free TV or something else worth 25-50% of one month of rent.-- Or, what we do is offer the free rent AFTER & ONLY if they pay their first 3 months of rent on time to earn it.4) Lower the rent 5% every 2-4 weeks until activity picks up.5) Understand this is the worst time of year to find tenants.-- Starts picking back up end of February when this tenant pool starts getting their income tax refunds and aren't broke anymore.6) Section 8: where is the property being advertised?

Quote from @Matt McNabb: I'm a solid $400k/yr job in NYC and have $250k to begin investing as my first step into building a portfolio, although I don't have time to be a landlord so I have to account for management fees.  

It's great for a landlord if the tenant is properly screened. 

Using money from an appreciating asset just to pay your landlord doesn't seem like a good flow of money.

@James Wise MICHIGAN UPDATE: new law went into effect January 2, that landlords can no longer discriminate on tenant income source.

Landlord-tenant regulations are a bit complex in California and getting hands on is the best way to learn before expanding into larger investments. 

Rentals was not a thought to me in those days I was a land flipper.. had absolutely no interest in being a landlord.. and basically still dont to this day :) yes I have some rentals for tax purposes but not really for wealth building purposes.