The Landlord Lens

Wall Street is pulling back from the housing market, but small landlords aren't slowing down. In fact, smaller investors now account for nearly two-thirds of investor home purchases in one major dataset.  In this episode of Landlord Lens, we explore the rise of the five-house landlord, why everyday investors are continuing to buy rental properties, and what this shift means for first-time homebuye...

Security deposits are one of the most common sources of disputes between landlords and tenants, and making the wrong move could cost you thousands. In this episode of Be A Better Landlord, we break down everything rental property owners need to know about security deposits, from how much to charge and when to collect them to what you can legally deduct when a tenant moves out. We'll cover security...

Chicago is considering major changes to its landlord-tenant laws, and the fight between renters and property owners is heating up. In this episode of Landlord Lens, we break down the competing PRO and FAIR proposals, what they could mean for rental property owners, and why both sides say the future of housing affordability is at stake. From renter protections and relocation assistance to rental re...

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s new Rental Ripoff Report lays out 23 actions aimed at cracking down on “bad landlords” after the city gathered testimony from more than 2,400 tenants across all five boroughs. The proposals range from faster inspections and stronger enforcement to recognizing tenant unions, increasing penalties, modernizing landlord registration, and even requiring disclosure of AI-alter...

A major housing reform has officially become law—and surprisingly, it did so without President Trump's signature. In this episode of Landlord Lens, we break down what happened, why the bill became law this way, and what the new legislation could mean for landlords, property owners, renters, and the future of housing policy in the United States. Whether you own rental properties, invest in real est...

Can landlords install security cameras on their rental property? In this episode of Landlord Lens, we break down what the law actually says, where security cameras are allowed, where they cross the line, and how landlords can protect their property without violating a tenant's right to privacy. If you've ever wondered whether security cameras are worth it or what's actually legal, this episode wil...

Congress passed a historic housing bill aimed at expanding housing supply, cutting red tape, and putting new limits on Wall Street’s role in the housing market. But even after passing Congress, the bill still faces delays from President Trump before it can become law. In this episode of Landlord Lens, we break down what’s actually in the bill, why it matters for landlords, investors, renters, and...

Is coliving the next big rental hack, or just a roommate nightmare waiting to happen? In this episode, we break down the pros, cons, and real-world risks of coliving as a rental strategy. We talk about what makes coliving appealing for landlords and renters, where it can go wrong, and how to think through whether this model actually makes sense for your rental business. Whether you’re curious abou...

AI is changing how landlords manage properties, communicate with tenants, review leases, handle maintenance, and save time on repetitive admin work. In this episode, Ava from TurboTenant sits down with real estate investor Ashley Kehr to talk about how she’s using AI in her rental business and where landlords still need to be careful. Ashley shares practical ways landlords can use tools like ChatG...

What happens if your tenant starts growing marijuana in your rental? In this video, we break down what landlords can and can’t do when it comes to marijuana use, grow operations, and lease enforcement. Laws vary by state, but there are still clear ways to protect your property, stay compliant, and avoid costly mistakes. We’ll cover: Can you ban smoking or growing marijuana in your rental? What to...

Most landlords don’t fail overnight, they make small mistakes that quietly eat away at their profits. In this video, we break down the biggest pitfalls property owners are running into right now and how to avoid them before they cost you time, money, and peace of mind. These 13 mistakes could sink your rental business if you’re not paying attention. Whether you’re a new landlord or scaling your po...

Renter demand is heating up earlier than usual, and the cities at the top might surprise you. In this video, we break down the top 10 hottest rental markets right now based on real renter behavior like searches, saved listings, and engagement. This is not about hype or headlines, it is about where attention is actually building before the 2026 leasing season kicks off. If you are a landlord or inv...

A rare bipartisan housing bill is moving through Congress, and it could have meaningful implications for affordability, household budgets, and the broader U.S. economy. In this episode of Landlord Lens, we break down what’s actually being proposed, why housing continues to take up such a large share of Americans’ income, and how lowering those costs could free up money for spending, saving, and pa...

When global conflict escalates, it doesn’t just affect geopolitics, it can ripple through mortgage rates, inflation, and the U.S. housing market. In this video we break down how tensions involving Iran could impact interest rates, housing affordability, and what landlords and real estate investors should be watching. We’ll look at the economic chain reaction that often follows global instability a...

Short-term rental regulations are tightening across the country, and many investors are feeling the squeeze. From new licensing requirements to occupancy limits and outright bans, the short-term rental model is becoming harder to rely on in many markets. So where are smart investors pivoting? In this episode, MTR expert Jesse Vasquez breaks down why more real estate investors are moving toward mid...

Property taxes could go to ZERO in 2026 but can states actually pull it off? Several states are proposing major property tax reforms, including plans to eliminate or drastically reduce property taxes for homeowners. In this episode, we break down which states are pushing for it, how they plan to replace the lost revenue, and what it could mean for landlords, investors, and homeowners. We cover: •...

Is accepting Section 8 tenants a smart move or a costly mistake? In this video, we break down the real pros and cons of Section 8 housing for landlords, including guaranteed rent payments, inspections, demand, regulations, and potential risks. If you're deciding whether to accept housing vouchers, this will help you evaluate if it fits your rental strategy. We cover: • Guaranteed rent payments • I...

For years, buyers and landlords have heard the same advice: just wait. When mortgage rates fall, housing will become affordable again. But new data suggests that returning to pre-pandemic affordability would require mortgage rates, wages, or home prices to move in ways that are historically unlikely. In this episode of Landlord Lens, we unpack why the housing market may not be facing a temporary d...

Rent control is often sold as a solution to rising housing costs but the reality is more complicated. In this video, we break down why rent control doesn’t work the way people expect, how it impacts renters and landlords, and why cities keep turning to it despite decades of evidence. From reduced housing supply to unintended consequences that actually raise rents, we take a clear, practical look a...

Some real estate laws make sense. Others… absolutely do not. In this video, we break down 10 of the weirdest real estate laws that still exist, from strange rules around home maintenance to laws that sound fake but are very real. Whether you’re a landlord, homeowner, or renter, these are the kinds of laws that make you stop and say: wait… that’s actually a law?

A new right-to-repair law just passed in Duluth, Minnesota and renters could now legally take action on repairs if landlords don’t act. In this video, we break down the actual law passed in Duluth, how it works, what it allows tenants to do, and what it means for landlords and property managers. We explain: • What the Duluth right-to-repair law actually permits • When a renter can demand repairs •...

President Trump is proposing a ban on institutional investors buying single-family homes—but what does that actually mean for landlords, renters, and the housing market? In this episode of Landlord Lens, we break down: - What Trump is actually proposing (and what he isn’t) - How a ban on institutional investors could impact housing supply - Whether this helps or hurts small, DIY landlords - The po...

States across the U.S. are moving to regulate AI in housing—and it’s creating serious uncertainty for landlords. In this episode of Landlord Lens, we break down Trump’s AI moratorium, the DOJ’s new AI litigation task force, and what it all means for rent pricing, compliance, and risk—especially as states target algorithmic pricing tools like RealPage. Lawmakers say AI regulations are needed to pre...

Denver is considering raising the maximum fine for unlicensed rentals from $1,000 to $5,000. In this episode, we break down why the city wants the increase, how many landlords are still unlicensed, and what the data shows about enforcement since the rental license requirement began in 2023. We cover how the current system works, why thousands of properties remain unlicensed, what the proposed chan...

Millions of renters are about to get squeezed not by rent prices, but by healthcare costs. The federal government reopened without extending enhanced ACA subsidies, and that decision directly affects renters’ financial stability. Since renters are already three times more likely to be uninsured than homeowners, even small changes to ACA subsidies can have big consequences for rent payments, delinq...