SEMINARS OFFERED BY SOUTHERN OREGON RENTAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION

SOROA, as part of its ongoing commitment to continuing education for its members and associates offers several very valuable seminars. Seminars are conducted at various locations throughout the year.  The Seminars and locations are published on this web site.  They are also published in our newsletter.  Members may also be placed on an email notification list and will receive an email reminder a few days prior to the last sign up day for the Seminar.  Click here for Seminar schedules, topic, speakers, dates, etc and signup information.

LANDLORDING SEMINARS

The subject of Landlording, and what are the essential elements to being a well-informed landlord or property manager now comprises more information than can be effectively taught in any one class.  Accordingly, we have elected to divide the Landlording Seminar into three distinct, but related sections: Landlording 101, 102, and 103. A brief description now follows.  We will also utilize the newest edition of  Oregon Rental Housing Association Forms Manual 2008 Edition, by J. Norton Cabell as a required adjunct to these courses: (Also helpful, but not a requirement, would be a copy of Oregon Rental Housing Association Law Book 2008 Edition, by J. Norton Cabell).

LANDLORDING 101: RENTERIZING YOUR RENTAL!

The rather catchy title to this section is meant to alert the potential subscriber to the seminar of the importance that SOROA attaches to getting your rental property ready to accept new tenants! How does your property appear to the 'drive-by-ers' on the street?  Is it attractive? Appealing to the eye?  Would a potential applicant think twice about renting the property; meeting you?  Some suggestions on improving the appearance are offered.  The State of Oregon, (as well as municipal governments) are rather pointed in their demands for basic habitability issues!  It is the LAW!  Is your unit capable of providing safe, comfortable, and legally acceptable shelter to your next tenant?  We will discuss the basic needs and legal requirements to ensure that your unit is truly...habitable!  Mold, that malignant scourge of nature on the unsuspecting owner, is an ongoing concern to everyone...owner and resident alike!  Today's properties offer many safeguards against mold propagation.  Yesterday's properties may be lacking some of the basic ventilation, heating, moisture barrier and detection methods.  We will briefly touch on possible improvements and solutions.  Perhaps you are considering some minor remodeling work!  Now would be the right time to accomplish this...before you rent the property.  A happier resident and, more dollars per month for you!  Some possible, easy to accomplish upgrades are also discussed.

LANDLORDING 102: FINDING THAT FAMILY!

Your unit is now as ready as you can make it, for occupancy.  Now comes the task of selecting your next tenant.  This phase of land lording, if properly done, will take time, skills, and the right forms to use.  What is a good rental business criteria?  What basic information can you request; what are some questions that you should not ask? (another seminar on Fair Housing will give more detailed information than can be handled in this course.  We recommend that all landlords and property managers avail themselves of this additional course.)  Should you rent month-to-month or use a fixed term lease?  We believe that the more information that you and the resident can understand and agree to in writing, the fewer will be any disputes because of misinformation or lack of description or specification.  What are the right forms to help you build this comprehensive rental agreement or lease?  The Forms Manual, together with seminar information and discussions will help answer these questions.

LANDLORDING 103:  MANAGING THE BUSINESS!

For certain, we are engaged in service for dollars received business!  Ask any landlord that has met the 'business end' of a court battle, and lost sums of money, and they will sadly agree with you!  We hope to give you insight into how to properly manage your rental housing business!  What happens when the tenant doesn't pay the rent or is late with the rent?  What do you do with unwanted pets, extra residents, and extra trash?  What do you do with noisy, intimidating tenants? How do you handle terminating the tenancy?  How do you handle the accounting of the security deposits, fees, etc. when either you or your tenant gives notice?  What happens when your tenant doesn't leave?  (We have a separate seminar that covers the subject of Evictions.  What will be covered in LL103 will only briefly describe the procedures, and is not a substitute for this very valuable seminar.)

FAIR HOUSING:

Anyone may wonder…who needs this kind of information?  I know how to be fair with people, why do I have to spend time and money to hear someone tell me what I already know? WRONG!!  Federal and State of Oregon Fair Housing regulations can be a ‘minefield’ for the unsuspecting rental owner and manager.  Start telling people that you only rent to adults, Caucasians, able-bodied persons, and a host of other unlawful discriminating practices, and you will find that you will be paying many thousands of dollars in fines and penalties to government and private groups for these and other ‘mistakes’.

Our seminar, taught by legal and other well trained professionals, will explain what and who are considered “PROTECTED CLASSES�.  What we say to prospective applicants, and how we say it can be very important…you will learn the differences in this seminar.

EVICTIONS:

There are several ways to remove an unwanted tenant from your property.  Some are the correct and legal ways…some are not.  Although Landlording 103 will briefly describe the eviction processes in Jackson and Josephine Counties, there is still much more to be learned when the instructor walks you through the processes allowed by the State of Oregon Residential Landlord/Tenant Act.  When do you serve notices, what kinds of notices are required, how do you serve notices, how do I testify in court?  Plan on attending and save yourself much money and stress from making improper and unlawful errors.

LANDLORD/TENANT LAW:

The Oregon Rental Housing Association Law Book (2008 Edition), together with a manual prepared by SOROA will be the basis for this course of instruction.  You will learn the many features of the Oregon Revised Statutes as they apply to renting and managing property to your residents.

This seminar, usually taught by one of our attorneys that are on the SOROA Board of Directors will provide you with much knowledge, and equip you to be a better, more professional landlord.  Every monthly meeting that our members and associates can attend, also feature some valuable information about the law, as well as does the monthly ‘INSIDER� newsletter.  Plan on this seminar to round out your knowledge of landlord/tenant laws and how it pertains to you.

MAINTENANCE:

SOROA offers this seminar on how to maintain, improve, and redecorate your rental properties.  How do you control mold, what do you do when you bathroom vinyl floor begins to discolor around the toilet, what is the best way to clean shower stalls, a whole host of questions that you may have, and would like to have answered.  You will learn from others who may also attend this seminar, as a dialog of information helps everyone learn from each other, as well as from the instructor.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION:

Mediation of conflicts is the aim of this seminar.  In the manual provided you will find excellent examples of mediation techniques that work.  In Jackson County, mediation is a required step during the eviction process.  Learn the process and you and your tenant can be in a win-win situation.