Protecting Your Property: Managing Squatters, Evictions, and Tenant Damage!

Session 1: Uninvited and Unwelcome: Dealing with Squatters Effectively and Legally

 Duration - 60 minutes | Speaker - Doug Chasick

As property occupancy challenges become increasingly prevalent, it is imperative for property stakeholders to understand their rights, responsibilities, and legal options when faced with squatters. This webinar will provide a deep dive into the legal framework surrounding squatter rights, eviction procedures, and property protections.

You’ll gain insights into identifying early warning signs of potential squatter activity, implementing proactive measures to prevent squatting, and effectively managing squatter incidents if they arise. You’ll learn about the various tactics squatters may employ, as well as best practices for swiftly and legally regaining control of their properties.

In this session, industry expert Doug Chasick, CPM®, CAPS, CAS, SLE will offer valuable guidance on navigating the often complex and emotionally charged process of dealing with squatters. From understanding the nuances of adverse possession laws to leveraging eviction procedures effectively, you’ll will leave with a clearer understanding of your rights and obligations under both landlord/tenant and fair housing law.

Doug’ll provide you with knowledge and tools needed to confidently navigate squatter situations and protect your property interests. Join us for this important session and safeguard your property against the challenges increasingly posed by squatters.

Session Objectives

• Understand the legal rights and protections afforded to squatters under relevant laws and regulations.
• Identify early warning signs of potential squatter activity and implement proactive measures to prevent squatting.
• Learn about the various tactics squatters may use to gain occupancy and how to effectively counteract them.
• Gain insight into the eviction procedures specific to dealing with squatters, including documentation requirements and legal timelines.
• Explore negotiation tactics and alternative dispute resolution methods for resolving squatter incidents peacefully and efficiently.
• Understand the risks and consequences associated with illegal eviction attempts and how to avoid them.
• Learn about property security measures and risk mitigation strategies to prevent future squatting incidents.
• Gain practical knowledge on how to navigate the emotional and logistical challenges of dealing with squatters.
• Understand the nuances of adverse possession laws and how they may impact property ownership rights.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of your rights and obligations as a property owner or manager when faced with squatter situations.

Session Highlights

• Squatter rights and legal protections
• Early detection and prevention strategies
• Legal eviction procedures and documentation requirements
• Negotiation tactics and alternative dispute resolution methods
• Property security measures and risk mitigation strategies
• Squatter or trespasser – what’s the difference and does it matter?
• Fair housing considerations when dealing with a squatter situation

Session 2: Fair Housing Compliance Basics for Collections and Evictions

 Duration - 60 minutes | Speaker - Doug Chasick

This fast-paced 60-minute session is designed to equip Multifamily Professionals with the knowledge necessary to maintain fair housing compliance concerning collections and evictions. In today's dynamic and litigious environment, ensuring adherence to fair housing laws is essential to minimize the possibility of being named in a fair housing compliant or federal lawsuit.

We’ll start with a brief review of the fundamental principles of fair housing compliance and examine how to avoid discriminatory policies and practices, especially those that could be considered as having a disparate impact on certain protected classes. We’ll explore typical state and local statutes about notice language and periods as well as what constitutes lawful delivery of notices.

Since effective and compliant communication and documentation are an important component of all fair housing compliance programs, we’ll review what elements are necessary and what to avoid when communicating about collections and consequences.

Whether you're a seasoned property manager or new to the field, this webinar will provide valuable insights and practical tips to enhance your fair housing compliance efforts. Don't miss this opportunity to sharpen your skills and safeguard your property against potential legal challenges.

Session Objectives

• An overview of the Fair Housing Act’s key provisions related to collections and evictions, including prohibited discrimination practices.
• Identify common discriminatory practices in collections and evictions and how to avoid them.
• Examine the concept of disparate impact and its implications for fair housing compliance and the strategies for implementing fair and effective rent collection policies.
• How to address late payments, stipulations, payment plans, and communication tactics while respecting tenants' rights.
• How to navigate the eviction process while adhering to fair housing laws and regulations.
• Understanding eviction notices, legal proceedings, and documentation requirements.
• Managing requests for accommodations related to collections or eviction proceedings,  while ensuring compliance with fair housing requirements when accommodating tenants with disabilities.

Session Highlights

• Overview of Fair Housing Laws: An in-depth examination of the Fair Housing Act and its implications for collections and evictions in the apartment sector.
• Prohibited Practices: Understanding discrimination prohibited by fair housing laws and how they relate to collections and evictions.
• Disparate Impact: Identify and change policies that may create an unintentional discriminatory effect on certain protected classes.
• Best Practices for Collections: Strategies for handling rent collection processes in a manner consistent with fair housing principles.
• Eviction Procedures: Guidelines for conducting evictions in compliance with fair housing regulations, including necessary documentation and procedural requirements.
• Reasonable Accommodations: Addressing requests for accommodations or modifications related to collections or eviction proceedings.

Session 3: Wear & Tear Vs. Tenant Damage: A Complete Guide for Landlords!

 Duration - 60 minutes | Speaker - Paul Flogstad

When a tenant vacates a rental property, it's common to find some degree of wear and tear. While landlords can deduct the cost of repairs for damages beyond normal wear and tear from the security deposit, they cannot withhold funds for typical deterioration of the property due to time and use. Defining normal wear and tear can be challenging, as it encompasses the natural decline in a property's condition over time. This deterioration is inevitable, even with careful tenants, and should not be deducted from the security deposit.

To prepare for these costs, landlords should budget for minor repairs, maintenance, and cleaning between tenants. Unlike normal wear and tear, tenant damage results from neglect, abuse, misuse, accidents, or unauthorized alterations. Landlords can hold tenants responsible for such damages, including those caused by guests. It's crucial for landlords to understand the difference between normal wear and tear and tenant damage to handle security deposits and property maintenance correctly.

Session Objectives

Discovering new damage in your rental property can be unsettling. This session aims to provide clarity on differentiating between normal wear and tear and tenant damage. If you're struggling to classify a broken or worn item, consider whether it could result from continuous use or if it was due to neglect, abuse, or misuse. Additionally, accidents can occur, so it's important to recognize that tenant damage is not always intentional.

Session Highlights

• What’s Considered Tenant Damage?
• Normal Wear and Tear: Flooring
• Normal Wear and Tear: Paint & Walls
• Normal Wear and Tear: Appliances
• Normal Wear and Tear: Plumbing & Fixtures
• Handling the Security Deposit
• Discussing Property Damage with Your Tenant
• Steps to Take Before, During, and After Tenancy
• What Happens if There’s a Security Deposit Dispute?
• Taking Steps to Protect Your Property

Who Should Attend

• Property Managers
• Property Owners
• Builders
• Developers
• Realtors
• Housing Authorities
• Regional/Area Managers
• Community Managers
• Service Managers/Supervisors
• Training and HR Professionals.
• Regional/Area Managers
• Community Managers,