The 7 Biggest Landlord Mistakes (That Are Costing You Money Right Now)

The 7 Biggest Landlord Mistakes (That Are Costing You Money Right Now)

Recording from their sickbed in Mexico after experiencing building-shaking waves from Hurricane Priscilla, Erin Spradlin and James Carlson power through to deliver critical advice: the seven biggest mistakes landlords make. They tackle everything from skipping background checks to overpricing rentals, with trademark honesty about what actually matters versus landlord paranoia.

🚫 The 7 Deadly Landlord Sins
1. Not knowing the laws - Federal, state, city, and HOA rules change frequently, especially around affordable housing. Colorado now requires Denver rental licenses. This is Erin's #1 mistake to avoid.
2. Skipping tenant screening - Credit checks matter more than background checks. Some landlords rely on "vibes" alone—risky business.
3. Wrong lease for your state - Don't fear customizing leases with plain language about what matters to you, as long as you don't violate tenant rights.
4. Underpricing rent - Erin disagrees this is a problem. Overpricing is the real sin—vacancy costs dwarf any underpricing loss. Properties stigmatized by sitting too long never recover.
5. Delaying maintenance - Annoying and expensive, but less annoying and expensive than doing it later.
6. Over-encouraging tenant reports - Don't invite problems. Set expectations upfront with a well-maintained property instead of constantly checking in.
🏠 The Bonus Mistake
Expecting tenants to live by your standards. If they're messy but not damaging property, that's their right. It's about compatibility, not control.

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