Giving Landlords the Support and Counsel They Need
Owning residential and commercial real estate can be highly lucrative and exciting. You can build a portfolio that allows you to retire and live the life you’ve always dreamed of. However, if you fail to protect yourself legally, real estate investments can quickly become a nightmare.
One of the areas you should pay extra attention to is the legal aspect of owning and managing property in Virginia. Whether your real estate project is commercial or residential, you must be aware of your obligations and protect yourself through legally valid contracts. Having a lawyer on your side can make all the difference in owning and running a real estate business.
At Ashwell & Ashwell, we have many years of experience helping clients operate successful real estate businesses, including rental properties. We offer support for owners and managers through excellent legal counsel and representation. We seek to minimize your legal burden by constructing powerful contracts that satisfy both parties. If disputes arise, we negotiate to avoid litigation but are prepared to represent you aggressively in the courtroom.
For more information about how our services can benefit your real estate company, reach out to us today. You can call us at 540-386-1277 to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help.
What Rights and Responsibilities to Property Managers Have in Virginia?
According to Virginia legal statutes, property managers must comply with the following:
- Operate their business according to the property management agreement
- Exercise a reasonable amount of care to protect the owner’s property and the tenant’s rights
- Disclose known facts about the property promptly
- Keep all personal and financial information confidential
- Provide an accurate accounting of income and expenditures related to the property
- Comply with fair housing statutes and regulations
Property managers are uniquely positioned to work with owners and tenants and ensure properties are safe and comply with legal requirements. These duties can be overwhelming and confusing, so hiring a team of real estate attorneys is important to ensure managers don’t face legal repercussions for their actions.
What Are Tenants’ Rights According to Virginia Law?
In Virginia, tenants who are paying rent and have a rental agreement are owed certain rights that landlords and property owners must respect. For example, habitable properties must include the following conditions:
- Heating (during cold seasons)
- Hot water
- Garbage containers/removal
- Smoke detectors
If any of the above are not functioning in the unit, the landlord could face legal action. Landlords must also repair the unit in a timely manner to avoid lawsuits. If you are a property manager facing legal action or want to avoid the hassle and expense of a lawsuit, you should strongly consider hiring a team of attorneys like those at Ashwell & Ashwell. We can help you navigate any disputes or issues that may arise with your rental, including breaches of contract or evictions.
How Can a Landlord Lawyer Help Me?
Landlord attorneys perform a multitude of functions that make property owners’ and managers’ lives simpler and safer. Some of the duties of a lawyer like those at our law firm include:
- Reviewing contracts to ensure their validity, including lease agreements, rental applications, and more
- Drafting new leases to provide greater legal protection for owners, managers, and tenants
- Assist landlords with terms and policies to improve cashflow and protect their properties; for example, late fees, pet fees, failure-to-pay fees, and security deposits
- Reviewing tenant screening and entry procedures
- Handling the legal aspect of eviction or tenants who refuse to vacate a unit
- Handling security deposits to comply with Virginia legal statutes
- Filing Writs of Possession to regain control of a unit (also known as eviction proceedings)
- Representing landlords and owners in recovering damages owed by a tenant
- Resolving disputes regarding lease agreements and property damage
- Negotiating fair terms for leases and disputes
- Representing landlords should litigation be required to recover damages
- Offering a defense against disgruntled tenants who bring lawsuits against an owner or manager
Investing in real estate offers many exciting opportunities but comes with substantial risk. Owners and managers should ensure their business runs smoothly by consulting with an attorney who can help structure the business and craft unique documents that meet that business’s needs.
At Ashwell & Ashwell, we proudly represent many clients who own and operate rental businesses. We will fight valiantly for you when defending you against lawsuits or protecting you from becoming a victim of unnecessary litigation. Call today to learn more about how we can help.
Should You Hire Our Landlord Attorneys?
Choosing a landlord attorney is an essential step toward owning and running a successful management or rental business. Your lawyer should be highly experienced, with a great depth of knowledge regarding the nuances of Virginia real estate law. Our team of attorneys combines the experience of a former judge, a former prosecutor, and skilled litigators. We have helped countless clients navigate the complex field of real estate law, giving us the knowledge and skills necessary to help you achieve your goals.
Owning and managing real estate can be complicated and stressful. However, with honest, dedicated lawyers on your side, you can rest assured that the legal aspect of your business is being handled with the utmost care. When you hire our legal team, you can let us deal with the legal aspects of your business so you can focus on your customers and properties.
Don’t delay in seeking the assistance you need. Reach out to our team of landlord attorneys today to get counsel and representation based on decades of experience. Whether you are a new investor or an experienced manager dealing with residential or commercial properties, you can benefit from our knowledge and ability to handle real estate legal needs. Call right away to schedule your initial consultation at 540-386-1277.
