(5a) After December 31, 2012, when installing a new smoke alarm or replacing an existing smoke alarm, install a tamper-resistant, 10-year lithium battery smoke alarm. However, the landlord shall not be required to install a tamper-resistant, 10-year lithium battery smoke alarm as required by this subdivision in either of the following circumstances:
a. The dwelling unit is equipped with a hardwired smoke alarm with a battery backup.
b. The dwelling unit is equipped with a smoke alarm combined with a carbon monoxide alarm that meets the requirements provided in subdivision (7) of this section.

The Statute in its entirety can be found HERE.

Owners of rental properties in Charlotte will have to begin registering their rentals with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department effective January 1, 2013. Owners may contact the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department regarding questions about the new landlord registration requirements.

Read more about the landlord registry here: Charlotte Observer

“The NARPM® Annual Convention is a great way to keep up with current trends in the property management industry and to locate products helpful for the professional development of my firm,” said Bradford. “As always, there was a strong emphasis on the NARPM® designation program in residential property management.”

During the Convention, Bradford was recognized and installed as a member of the 2013 NARPM® Board of Directors.

Over 600 individuals were in attendance at the annual event. There are over 4,000 members of NARPM®, the nation’s only professional organization dedicated exclusively to enhancing the professionalism and ethics of the residential property management industry.

Two kinds of management options are at your fingertips at PAP, turn-key and procurement only.

With Turn-Key property management PAP will exclusively manage your property by finding and screening a qualified tenant, prepare and execute the lease, perform pre- and post move-in inspections, collect rent, collect and hold the security deposit, disburse monies to the owner, handle all maintenance issues, evict, if necessary, and respond to any and all tenant / 3rd party issues.

With Procurement only PAP will find a well-qualified tenant, prepare the lease between the tenant and owner, collect the first month’s rent and collect the security deposit. The owner then assumes the lease and security deposit responsibilities for the lease term.

For more information on our services and fees check out our website FAQ page here.
New client form is located here.

Online scamming is so prevalent that the FBI and Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) have recognized the threat online scammers place on consumers (Victims of Internet crime can file a complaint with the IC3 at http://www.IC3.org). While that’s a step forward in the war on scamming, it’s not an end.

So, what actions can you take as a consumer?

First and foremost, be on your guard when shopping for a property online.  If it looks like a fish and smells like a fish, chances are… you know where we’re going with this.

When in doubt, call and speak with someone live.  Most legitimate sellers will offer more than one form of communication.  It’s probably wise to steer clear of the “surgeon” who does not have internet or phone access because he is on an “oil rig”, yet he is able to email you and accept your money in the form of a wire transfer.

If and when possible, view the property in person before making any commitments.  Photos and virtual tours are great tools for viewing property online, but nothing can beat actually walking through a home.  To view a home, legitimate firms will sometimes require the consumer to visit the firm office and check out a key.  Park Avenue Properties requires any showings of our rental properties be assisted by and have a licensed agent present at the time of viewing.

The FBI National Press Office released an article on “Common Rental and Real Estate Scams” and listed the following ways consumers can protect themselves from online scammers:

• Do not accept overpayment for rental properties. If you receive a check that’s for more than the specified amount, return it. Do not deposit it.
• Do not wire funds to people you do not know.
• Verify potential renters’ income.
• Request renters’ personal references and follow up with those individuals.
• Check with your county recorder to learn who owns the property you’re seeking to rent.
• Call the property manager or association, if applicable, and ask about the landlord.
• Ask the landlord for a rental application. It’s a red flag if one is not available; most managed properties require an application.
• Find out how much of a security deposit may be requested in your state. Scammers will often ask for extra money in the form of a deposit.

You can view the full article posted by the FBI about Rental and Real Estate Scams on their website: Here.

Bottom line:  Scammers are going to scam, but it’s ultimately the consumers decision to act in an online transaction.  Ask questions and get answers.  You deserve to be an informed and responsible consumer.

The benefit to Park Avenue pinning is it’s a resource to look for entertainment and dining in the areas we’re managing in. We’re helping that transition to a new place be exciting and full of adventure.

For example have you ever heard of the Cow Cafe in New Bern, NC? They make homemade ice cream.

Did you know Charlotte, NC is home to one of the Amazing Maize Mazes? Where you can maneuver your way through 7 acres of a corn maize during the day or night.

Come pin with us at Park Avenue Properties! Come join us!

Changing your air filters every 30-60 days keeps your system working at it’s peak. Apartment Therapy wrote an article “How Often Should I Replace my Air Filter?” that offers tips on air filter replacement. It’s a great resource to check out!

Gutters may be another affected area as the weather cools down. Making sure that your gutters are clean of leaf debris will steer  clear of any blockage and potential leak damage that freezing water could do.

Checking windows and doors for drafts can keep the warm air in and the cold air out. Weather stripping can be a great way to prevent that cold air from creeping in.

Even the Energizer Bunny’s battery will wear out and your smoke or carbon monoxide detector won’t keep going, and going, and going. Preparing for the Fall and Winter season is a great time to take a look at those detectors to check if their working properly or need a battery replacement. To test your detector simply press the “TEST” button and be ready for a beep.

Last, Art of Manliness provided humor to this blog topic with their article, 15 Ways to Winterize Your Home. Check it out for a laugh and some tips!

The info-graphic shows how renewing your lease can be beneficial in saving  a tenant money and time. Costs can add up over years of moving each time a lease is up. The costs one faces when moving are primarily utility deposits, packing and moving costs, leasing fees and furnishings. The time spent to move is another factor to consider when deciding to renew your lease.