News & Views — Featured Articles
A Sound Estate Plan
By: Michael Pine, Pine Innovative Planning We all have goals we want to meet during our lifetime. The education of our children, a comfortable and financially secure retirement, and perhaps a new home or a second home. The first step of estate planning is to help you plan for -and...
H.U.D. Issues a “Guidance” Related to Criminal Background Check
By: Christopher J. Hanlon, Esq. In yet another attempt to make law, outside of the context of what we all traditionally understand to be lawmaking (either through statutory amendment or the adoption of regulations after public comment) the Office of the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of...
The Apples to Apples of Insurance Coverage
You would think property insurance should be easily understood and not very complicated and all insurance companies that would insure the same type of property would be afford similar coverages maybe with some minor differences. If that's what you think then you're wrong. It's rare...
Is Your Tenant’s Dryer A Fire Hazard?
By: Bob Bellis , Dryer Vent Wizard of Central Jersey Without proper maintenance, the dryer vent is a potential home fire hazard—yet the majority of homeowners are unaware that the problem even exists. The result is venting systems that clog over time and become a growing fire hazard with...
Code Upgrades-Are You Covered?
By: Larry Rosen, Rifkin & Rosen Ultimate Property Loss Consultants At almost every meeting, I get questions about code upgrades. Does my insurance policy include code upgrades? What are they? How are they determined? When is there coverage for them? How do I get paid for them? Do I still get...
Revised Accounting Methods For Eviction Complaints
By: Michael D. Mirne, Esq. Most American businesses keep track of their charges and receivables using a “first in, first out” method. The central principle of this method, referred to as “FIFO,” is to apply customers’ payments toward their earliest balances first, and then toward their later...
Your Tenant Vacated, Now How To Address The Mess
By: Hon. Mahlon L. Fast, J.S.C. Retired As a practical matter, this issue becomes relevant only after a tenant has vacated/been evicted. The landlord will then deduct the fee for repairs, repainting, refurbishing and cleaning of a unit from the security deposit or sue the former tenant for a money...
Cybersecurity Risks for Real Estate Professionals? They Are Alive and Well.
By: Gary Strong, Esq. Introduction We have all heard about the massive data breaches at Target, Home Depot, and more recently JP Morgan Chase. As these data breaches have grabbed the biggest headlines, the media has rightfully focused on the staggering effects on consumers and response costs for...
Opinion Letter Relating to Rentals to Disabled Tenants
By: Bruce Gudin, Esq. There are several different laws relating to sales and rentals to disabled persons (or persons with disabilities authorized to live with tenants): The Federal Fair Housing Act The Americans with Disabilities Act The Rehabilitation Act New Jersey Law Against Discrimination...
A Guarantee Of Payment Must Be In Writing
By: Jonathan Mehl, Esq. It is important to have a guarantee of rental payments in writing. This can be incorporated into the lease. However, if the tenant is a business entity such as a corporation, and an individual is guaranteeing rent, there are additional precautions. The...