Blog

Resources for small landlords

Practical guides on tracking finances, managing tenants, and running your rentals efficiently.

California Law14 min read

California Landlord Tenant Laws 2026: Complete Guide

New rules on appliances, security deposits, disaster liability, and bulk internet. Everything California landlords need to know for 2026.

February 16, 2026
Texas Law12 min read

Texas Landlord Tenant Laws 2026: Complete Guide

Senate Bill 38 overhauls evictions with electronic notices, first-time grace rules, and expedited squatter removal. Full breakdown inside.

February 16, 2026
Florida Law11 min read

Florida Landlord Tenant Laws 2026: Complete Guide

Electronic notices, security deposit alternatives, and no rent control. Why Florida remains one of the best states for landlords in 2026.

February 16, 2026
New York Law13 min read

New York Landlord Tenant Laws 2026: Complete Guide

Rent stabilization, Good Cause Eviction, strict deposit rules, and increased NYC enforcement. Navigating America's most complex landlord state.

February 16, 2026
Ohio Law10 min read

Ohio Landlord Tenant Laws 2026: Complete Guide

No rent control, no deposit caps, fast evictions. Why Ohio is one of the most landlord-friendly states and what you need to know for 2026.

February 16, 2026
Software Review11 min read

Best Landlord Software for 1–10 Properties (2026 Review)

Most 'best software' lists are written by the software companies. This one is written for landlords with honest tradeoffs and real pricing for small portfolios.

February 16, 2026
Decision Guide9 min read

DIY Property Management vs Hiring a Company: The Real Math

Property managers charge 8–12% of rent. Self-managing takes time. Here's how to calculate which option actually costs less for your portfolio.

February 16, 2026
Finances8 min read

How Much Does a Property Manager Really Cost? (The Fees Nobody Mentions)

The 8–12% number is just the start. Placement fees, markups, renewal charges — here's the full breakdown most landlords don't see until it's too late.

February 16, 2026
Legal12 min read

State-by-State Landlord Law Changes for 2026

New security deposit rules, rent increase limits, eviction process changes, and fee restrictions. Here's what changed in California, Colorado, Texas, Washington, and Florida.

February 16, 2026
Tools9 min read

The Real Cost of Using Spreadsheets vs Software for Rental Properties

Spreadsheets are free. But between missed deductions, lost time, and costly errors, they might be the most expensive tool you're using. Here's the actual math.

February 16, 2026
Common Mistakes10 min read

Property Management Mistakes That Cost Landlords Thousands

Most landlords don't lose money on big disasters. They lose it slowly through avoidable mistakes that compound over months and years.

February 16, 2026
Rent Collection8 min read

How to Collect Rent Online as a Small Landlord

Checks get lost. Venmo has no paper trail. Here's how to set up proper online rent collection without paying for enterprise software you don't need.

February 16, 2026
Organization9 min read

How to Keep Track of Multiple Rental Properties Without a Property Manager

One rental was easy to manage in your head. Three or more? You need a system — but you don't need to hire a property manager to get one.

February 16, 2026
Getting Started10 min read

What Every First-Time Landlord Needs to Know Before Renting Out a Property

You bought the property. Now what? Here's the practical checklist — from setting rent to screening tenants to avoiding the mistakes that cost thousands.

February 16, 2026
Rent Collection8 min read

How to Handle Late Rent Payments Without Ruining the Relationship

Late rent is inevitable. How you handle it determines whether you keep a good tenant or start an expensive eviction process.

February 16, 2026
Finances9 min read

Landlord Accounting 101: How to Track Rental Income and Expenses for Taxes

You don't need to be an accountant to manage your rental finances. But you do need a system — and the IRS expects you to have one.

February 16, 2026
Organization8 min read

The Best Way to Document Everything as a Landlord

If it's not documented, it didn't happen. Here's what to track, how to organize it, and why good records are a landlord's best legal protection.

February 16, 2026
Tenant Relations7 min read

How to Raise Rent Without Losing Good Tenants

Rent increases are necessary. Losing a reliable tenant is expensive. Here's how to handle the conversation and the math behind getting it right.

February 16, 2026
Finances7 min read

Security Deposit Tracking: How to Avoid Disputes When Tenants Move Out

Security deposit disputes are the number one legal issue between landlords and tenants. Here's how proper tracking prevents them.

February 16, 2026
Productivity8 min read

How to Manage Rental Properties While Working a Full-Time Job

Most small landlords have day jobs. Here's how to manage your rentals in a few hours per week without letting anything fall through the cracks.

February 16, 2026
Leasing7 min read

Lease Renewal Checklist: What to Review Before Your Tenant Signs Again

A lease renewal isn't just a signature. It's your chance to update terms, adjust rent, and fix anything that didn't work in the last 12 months.

February 16, 2026
Taxes10 min read

Every Rental Expense You Can Deduct on Schedule E

A complete breakdown of every Schedule E expense category — from mortgage interest and depreciation to supplies and professional fees. Know what qualifies and how to track it year-round.

February 15, 2026
Screening9 min read

How to Screen Tenants as a Small Landlord

A wrong tenant can cost you thousands. A discriminatory screening process can cost you even more. Here's how to protect your property and stay on the right side of the law.

February 15, 2026
Maintenance8 min read

Stop Managing Maintenance Requests Over Text

That 11 PM text from your tenant about a leaky faucet? There's a reason it stresses you out — and it's not the faucet. It's the lack of a system.

February 15, 2026
Taxes8 min read

Landlord Tax Deductions You Might Be Missing

Most small landlords claim the obvious deductions. But depreciation, mileage, home office, and software costs get overlooked every year. Here's what to look for before you file.

February 15, 2026
Tools6 min read

Spreadsheet vs Software: When It's Time to Switch

Your rental property spreadsheet worked great at first. Here's how to know when it's time to move on — and what to move to.

February 15, 2026
Finances7 min read

How to Track Rental Income and Expenses (Without Losing Your Mind)

Spreadsheets break down fast. Here's how small landlords can track rent payments, log expenses, and stay tax-ready — without expensive software.

February 15, 2026

Stop managing rentals with spreadsheets

Nestbase gives you one clean dashboard for properties, tenants, rent, and expenses. Free for up to 3 units.

Get Started Free →