As of July 1, 2011, the state of California requires homeowners to install carbon monoxide detectors. According to the California Air Resources Board, approximately 40 Californians die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning. These deaths are preventable!  Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless toxic gas produced by vehicles, furnaces, fireplaces, stoves, or combustion appliances. When these things malfunction, or they’re used in badly ventilated areas, deadly conditions can occur.  Because carbon monoxide sneaks up on its victims—the signs of poisoning include headache, nausea, and fatigue—alarms are a vital defense against poisoning. Failure to install detectors will leave landlords and property managers vulnerable to legal action in the case of tenant injury.

The new law initially applies to single-family homes/rentals with appliances that burn fossil fuels (leaf blowers, lawn mowers, kerosene stoves, etc.) or have attached garages/fireplaces. For all other types of housing, such as apartments and hotels, detectors must be in place by January 1, 2013.

The law states that detectors must sound an audible warning once carbon monoxide is detected. They must be battery-powered, or if run by electricity, have a battery backup; and they must be certified by an independent, nationally-recognized testing lab such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Packaging will always specify this. Many carbon monoxide detectors double as smoke detectors, but these must meet the above standards and sound different alarms for each. Detectors can be purchased at any hardware/home product store for about $20 – $30.

Violators face a $200 fine, but money isn’t the only thing at stake here. Protect your tenants, your bottom line, and yourself—install carbon monoxide detectors today.

California’s Medical Marijuana laws remove state-level criminal penalties on the use, possession, and cultivation of marijuana by people who possess a physician’s "written or oral recommendation" that they "would benefit from medical marijuana." However, this directly conflicts with the Federal Controlled Substances Act, which makes the manufacture, distribution, or possession of marijuana a criminal offense. When the law sends conflicting messages, how can landlords and property managers stay on the right side of it?  How can you accommodate residents who benefit from marijuana use while protecting your property from potentially illegal drug activity?

Along with sensitive and comprehensive tenant screening, the key is to include specific language in your rental or lease agreement that clearly sets expectations regarding all illegal drug activity.

If you find a well-behaved tenant with proper medical clearance growing a small marijuana plant on a private patio, we advise you to ask the tenant to move it inside. Ask the tenant if he/she cultivates any other plants, and confirm by entering the apartment, if necessary. Keep an eye out for complaints about marijuana smell and for frequent visitors, which may indicate illegal activity.

This is a developing legal issue in California, and this article, of course, should not be taken as legal advice. But common sense—along with strong rental agreement language and good tenant relationships—should help insulate you from any surprises.

"Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite."

Even if this nursery rhyme has been your only encounter with bed bugs, you’ve probably heard that in the past ten years bed bug infestations have increased 80% nationwide. The tiny pests are making headlines as they take over homes, hotels, movie theatres, and anywhere that offers a hiding place. Here are a few simple facts to help you and your residents keep bed bugs where they belong—somewhere else.

Bed bugs aren’t caused by dirt. They don’t care about the size of your wallet. Bed bugs are parasites that feed on human and animal blood. As long as a food source is available, they’ll happily take up residence in the wealthiest, most pristine home.

Bed bugs travel well. Since more people are traveling than ever before, hotel rooms are ground zero for the bed bug epidemic. But anywhere with a high human turnover is at risk; that means your apartment building, as well as movies, schools, offices, dormitories or military barracks. Bed bugs like dark, cramped spaces, so they can easily hitch rides in luggage, purses, backpacks, or clothing.

Bed bugs like clutter. Organize public areas and storage closets as well as possible, and tell residents to follow your lead. An area might be sterile, but if it’s cluttered, bed bugs will hide there.

You can catch them in the act. Bed bugs are visible to the naked eye. Adult bed bugs are brown/reddish-brown, oval-shaped, flat, and about 1/4 to 5/8 inch long. After a meal, their bodies elongate and become swollen. Bed bug eggs resemble grains of rice, and heavy infestations are often marked by an unusual, pervasive sweet aroma.

If you’ve been bitten, don’t worry about your health. A bed bug bite is a small, itchy red welt, similar to a mosquito bite. They often occur in rows of 3 or 4. Bed bugs don’t transmit disease.

That bite probably won’t be your last. Once in your building, bed bugs can quickly scurry to a new hiding place: behind baseboards, under wallpaper, inside switch plates, or in furniture seams. Then it’s only a matter of time until they begin multiplying.

Bed bugs are tough opponents. To kill bed bugs, wash sheets and clothing (used or not) at high heat. Vacuum floors and luggage frequently. Scrub and steam clean mattresses and applicable surfaces. Lastly, check your work by calling an exterminator. Because bed bugs hide so well, a professional consultation can save you and your residents a great deal of money.