Top property management resources for landlords

Good tools save you hours and keep you compliant. Here are the resources I rely on, and the free ones we built for California landlords.

1. A clean rent ledger

Start here. A ledger tracks every payment, charge, and balance in one place. It's the document that wins disputes and supports a rent increase. Download our free rent ledger and update it every month. Clean records are the cheapest insurance you can buy.

2. A notice generator

Most notices fail on the details: wrong type, wrong wording, or a faulty proof of service. AB 747 added new service requirements in 2026, which makes accuracy even more important. Our notice generator builds the document and the service fields together, so they match. Use it before you serve anything.

3. A monthly compliance checklist

A checklist turns compliance into a habit. Mine has three items: update the ledger, review pending notices, and scan local ordinances. Run it on the same day each month. Find our checklist and other tools in one place.

4. Current law guides

Rules change every year. Bookmark a source you trust and check it before you act. Our guides break down the 2026 changes, including California housing law updates and rent-cap compliance. Read them once, then refer back as needed.

5. Your local rent board

State law is the floor. Your city often adds more. Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco each run their own rent programs with their own caps and rules. Find your local rent board's website and check the current figures before any increase.

6. A qualified attorney

Tools handle the routine. An attorney handles the exception. For a contested eviction, an unusual lease, or a high-stakes dispute, get advice early. The cost of a consultation is small next to the cost of a dismissed case.

Put them to work

Resources only help if you use them. Pick the rent ledger today and start logging. Add the notice generator and checklist next. A few simple tools, used consistently, keep your properties compliant and your records clean.

Explore everything in one place on our tools page.

This article is general information, not legal advice. California housing law is complex and changes often. For your specific property or situation, consult a qualified California attorney.