Independent Landlords, Real Stories, Real Solutions: A Podcast by Landlord Gurus

Being a landlord isn’t easy—but the right software can make it a whole lot better. In this Landlord Gurus episode, Chris and Eli share their real-world experience with property management platforms.They explain why TurboTenant checked all their boxes: affordability, automation, scalability, tenant screening, leases, and more.If you’re an independent landlord looking to simplify your rental business, this episode is a must-watch.👉 Check out TurboTenant here: https://turbotenant.pxf.io/DK6vVb👉 Read full article: https://landlordgurus.com/the-best-property-management-software-platform-for-independent-landlords/

Resources:

Landlording A-Z Course

Website: https://landlordgurus.com/

- Contact us

Socials:

- Instagram @landlordgurus

- Facebook @landlordgurus

- X @landlordgurus

- TikTok @landlordgurus

- Youtube @landlordgurus

Try out “Sage” our AI landlord helper

Handpicked tools from our list of partners:

- Collect Rent with PayRent 

- Thoroughly screen applicants at RentPrep

- Set up your dedicated landlord bank account with Baselane 

- Check in with Obie to make sure you have the rental property insurance you need

- Use the property management software we’re using to handle daily rental tasks, with Avail or TurboTenant 

- Get full property management services, at a fraction of the cost, with Hemlane

- Or check out our full Toolkit 

Ever had a tenant move out without paying rent or covering damages? 😬 You’re not alone.This week, we talk with Grant Burwash from FrontLobby about a tool that helps landlords:✔️ Report rent payments (on-time and missed)✔️ Protect themselves from tenant debt✔️ Offer tenants a way to build creditIt’s a win-win for good tenants and a safeguard for landlords.🔗 FrontLobby: https://frontlobby.com/More resources:

Landlording A-Z Course

Website: https://landlordgurus.com/

- Contact us

Socials:

- Instagram @landlordgurus

- Facebook @landlordgurus

- X @landlordgurus

- TikTok @landlordgurus

- Youtube @landlordgurus

Try out “Sage” our AI landlord helper

Handpicked tools from our list of partners:

- Collect Rent with PayRent 

- Thoroughly screen applicants at RentPrep

- Set up your dedicated landlord bank account with Baselane 

- Check in with Obie to make sure you have the rental property insurance you need

- Use the property management software we’re using to handle daily rental tasks, with Avail or TurboTenant 

- Get full property management services, at a fraction of the cost, with Hemlane

- Or check out our full Toolkit 

Thinking about buying a rental property but unsure what to look for?

In this episode, Chris shares how he evaluated a recent property in Walla Walla, WA—from zoning to lot size, ADU potential, and walkability. Hear the real questions to ask before you buy.

🎯 You’ll learn:

• What zoning tells you about rental and development options

• How to check short-term rental restrictions before closing

• The importance of walkability and neighborhood feel

• Why lot size matters more than you think

• What to consider with older homes and historic neighborhoods

• How to think through multiple exit strategies

  
  

🔗 Links & Resources:
Landlording A-Z Course

Website: https://landlordgurus.com/

- Contact us

Socials:

- Instagram @landlordgurus

- Facebook @landlordgurus

- X @landlordgurus

- TikTok @landlordgurus

- Youtube @landlordgurus

Try out “Sage” our AI landlord helper

Handpicked tools from our list of partners:

- Collect Rent with PayRent 

- Thoroughly screen applicants at RentPrep

- Set up your dedicated landlord bank account with Baselane 

- Check in with Obie to make sure you have the rental property insurance you need

- Use the property management software we’re using to handle daily rental tasks, with Avail or TurboTenant 

- Get full property management services, at a fraction of the cost, with Hemlane

- Or check out our full Toolkit 

#RentalProperty #LandlordTips #RealEstateInvesting #ShortTermRental #WallaWallaRealEstate #LandlordGurus #EvaluateBeforeYouBuy

In this episode, Chris and Eli dive into the real-life process of taking over management of a rental property — and all the unexpected headaches that come with it. Whether you're buying a property or inheriting it from another manager, there are a ton of moving parts: bank accounts, leases, software setups, vendor relationships, tenant communication, and (of course) maintenance.

Chris walks through his real-life experience transitioning into management of a 15-unit property and breaks down the behind-the-scenes stress, mistakes to avoid, and systems to get in place before things go sideways.

Listen now and set yourself up for a smoother rental transition!

🔗 Links and Tools:

Landlording A-Z Course

Website: https://landlordgurus.com/

- Contact us

Socials:

- Instagram @landlordgurus

- Facebook @landlordgurus

- X @landlordgurus

- TikTok @landlordgurus

- Youtube @landlordgurus

Try out “Sage” our AI landlord helper

Handpicked tools from our list of partners:

- Collect Rent with PayRent 

- Thoroughly screen applicants at RentPrep

- Set up your dedicated landlord bank account with Baselane 

- Check in with Obie to make sure you have the rental property insurance you need

- Use the property management software we’re using to handle daily rental tasks, with Avail or TurboTenant 

- Get full property management services, at a fraction of the cost, with Hemlane

- Or check out our full Toolkit 

What Counts as Income When Screening Tenants?
Chris and Eli are back with a real-world landlord dilemma: how should you treat rental applicants whose income comes from unemployment, disability, housing vouchers, or other non-W2 sources?

In this episode, we unpack:

• Rent-to-income ratios and fair screening practices

• How state laws affect your ability to approve or deny

• Real-life scenarios with Section 8, unemployment insurance, and co-signers

• The legal and ethical considerations landlords must keep in mind

Don’t make assumptions—make informed decisions.

📎 Resources:
Landlording A-Z Course

Website: https://landlordgurus.com/

- Contact us

Socials:

- Instagram @landlordgurus

- Facebook @landlordgurus

- X @landlordgurus

- TikTok @landlordgurus

- Youtube @landlordgurus

Try out “Sage” our AI landlord helper

Handpicked tools from our list of partners:

- Collect Rent with PayRent 

- Thoroughly screen applicants at RentPrep

- Set up your dedicated landlord bank account with Baselane 

- Check in with Obie to make sure you have the rental property insurance you need

- Use the property management software we’re using to handle daily rental tasks, with Avail or TurboTenant 

- Get full property management services, at a fraction of the cost, with Hemlane

- Or check out our full Toolkit 

#LandlordPodcast #TenantScreening #RentalPropertyTips #FairHousing #Section8 #IndependentLandlord

🛠️ What if maintenance didn’t have to be the most stressful part of being a landlord?

In this episode of Landlording A-Z, we’re joined by Nate Smoyer, long-time landlord and Head of Marketing at Lula, a property maintenance platform designed specifically for landlords and property managers.

Nate shares how he’s successfully managed rentals remotely across multiple states, his background in the PropTech world, and how Lula is offering a smarter way to handle maintenance — one of the biggest challenges landlords face.

🎙️ In this conversation, we cover:

• The real reasons maintenance is so difficult (and what to do about it)

• How Lula integrates with platforms like TurboTenant & AppFolio

• Tips for triaging maintenance issues to avoid wasting time and money

• Why solving maintenance can improve tenant satisfaction and retention

Whether you’ve got one rental or fifty, this episode is packed with insight, strategy, and tools to help you manage more effectively.

👇 Resources mentioned in this episode:
🌐 Learn more about Lula: https://lula.life
🔗 Connect with Nate Smoyer: 877-523-6936 | [email protected]

💬 Have a maintenance horror story or question? Send us a message or leave a comment — we’d love to hear from you!

Landlord Gurus Resources:

Landlording A-Z Course

Website: https://landlordgurus.com/

- Contact us

Socials:

- Instagram @landlordgurus

- Facebook @landlordgurus

- X @landlordgurus

- TikTok @landlordgurus

- Youtube @landlordgurus

Try out “Sage” our AI landlord helper

Handpicked tools from our list of partners:

- Collect Rent with PayRent 

- Thoroughly screen applicants at RentPrep

- Set up your dedicated landlord bank account with Baselane 

- Check in with Obie to make sure you have the rental property insurance you need

- Use the property management software we’re using to handle daily rental tasks, with Avail or TurboTenant 

- Get full property management services, at a fraction of the cost, with Hemlane

- Or check out our full Toolkit 

Washington State has passed its first rent control law since the 1980s, and it’s a big deal. In this episode, Eli and Chris break down what the new law means for landlords, including:

• The new 7% + CPI cap (and how the 10% max works)

• What legally counts as a valid rent increase notice

• Why using the right form and serving it correctly matters more than ever

• The risks of non-compliance (hello, $7,500 fines)

• What landlords can do now to stay protected in 2025 and beyond

We also talk about tightening up your operations: like screening tenants more carefully and updating your leases to adapt to this shift.

Whether you’re in Washington or just want to stay ahead of trends, this episode is packed with actionable advice.

🔗 Rent Control Law: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?billnumber=1217&year=2025

💡 Don’t forget to follow and share the podcast to stay informed on all things rental property management!

Landlording A-Z Course

Website: https://landlordgurus.com/

- Contact us

Socials:

- Instagram @landlordgurus

- Facebook @landlordgurus

- X @landlordgurus

- TikTok @landlordgurus

- Youtube @landlordgurus

Try out “Sage” our AI landlord helper

Handpicked tools from our list of partners:

- Collect Rent with PayRent 

- Thoroughly screen applicants at RentPrep

- Set up your dedicated landlord bank account with Baselane 

- Check in with Obie to make sure you have the rental property insurance you need

- Use the property management software we’re using to handle daily rental tasks, with Avail or TurboTenant 

- Get full property management services, at a fraction of the cost, with Hemlane

- Or check out our full Toolkit 

🚨 Big News in Property Management Software! 🚨
In this episode of the Landlord Gurus podcast, Chris and Eli from Landlord Gurus unpack the recent acquisition of Azibo by TurboTenant—a significant move that could impact many landlords and property managers.

Chris shares his personal experience using both platforms, while Eli offers insights into what this merger could mean for lease creation, rent collection, advertising, and legal compliance. They also discuss how this change might affect tenants, onboarding, and the practical side of managing rental properties.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Key differences between TurboTenant and Azibo

• How the merger may streamline (or complicate) property management

• Why having up-to-date, local lease documents is more critical than ever

• What landlords and tenants can expect during the transition

If you're using either platform—or exploring software options—this is a must-listen.

🔗 Related resource: Check out our article on choosing the right lease documents: https://landlordgurus.com/understanding-rental-lease-agreements-a-landlords-guide/
💡 Don’t forget to follow and share the podcast to stay informed on all things rental property management!

Landlording A-Z Course

Website: https://landlordgurus.com/

- Contact us

Socials:

- Instagram @landlordgurus

- Facebook @landlordgurus

- X @landlordgurus

- TikTok @landlordgurus

- Youtube @landlordgurus

Try out “Sage” our AI landlord helper

Handpicked tools from our list of partners:

- Collect Rent with PayRent 

- Thoroughly screen applicants at RentPrep

- Set up your dedicated landlord bank account with Baselane 

- Check in with Obie to make sure you have the rental property insurance you need

- Use the property management software we’re using to handle daily rental tasks, with Avail or TurboTenant 

- Get full property management services, at a fraction of the cost, with Hemlane

- Or check out our full Toolkit 

In this episode, Chris and Eli introduce our new 1-on-1 coaching offering designed specifically for independent landlords. Whether you're struggling with tenant issues, lease setup, maintenance coordination, rent collection, or just don’t know where to start—this service gives you direct access to our combined 35+ years of real-world landlording experience.

1. Start with a free 15-minute consultation
2. Choose a 30- or 60-minute session for deeper support
3. Get personalized, actionable advice and resources
4. Know if we’re the right fit—risk-free

This episode covers what to expect, how to book, and the kind of problems we can help solve. If you’ve ever wished for a trusted landlord friend to bounce questions off of—now you’ve got two.

🔗 Ready to chat? Book your free consultation⁠

Resources:

Landlording A-Z Course

Website: https://landlordgurus.com/

- Contact us

Socials:

- Instagram @landlordgurus

- Facebook @landlordgurus

- X @landlordgurus

- TikTok @landlordgurus

- Youtube @landlordgurus

Try out “Sage” our AI landlord helper

Handpicked tools from our list of partners:

- Collect Rent with PayRent 

- Thoroughly screen applicants at RentPrep

- Set up your dedicated landlord bank account with Baselane 

- Check in with Obie to make sure you have the rental property insurance you need

- Use the property management software we’re using to handle daily rental tasks, with Avail or TurboTenant 

- Get full property management services, at a fraction of the cost, with Hemlane

- Or check out our full Toolkit 

In this episode of the Landlord Gurus Podcast, Chris and Eli take a deep dive into two popular property management platforms: Avail and Zillow Rental Manager. Whether you're listing vacancies, screening tenants, collecting rent, or creating lease agreements, choosing the right software can make a big difference in your day-to-day operations.

Tune in as we compare the features, strengths, and limitations of each platform—from rental listings and tenant applications to electronic leases, rent collection, and financial reporting. We also highlight important considerations like screening costs, local compliance, and usability tips based on our real-world experiences as landlords.

Whether you’re just starting out or managing multiple properties, this episode will help you decide which tool fits your needs best—or if you should be using both.

👉 Links:

Landlording ⁠⁠⁠A-Z Course⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://landlordgurus.com/⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Contact us⁠⁠⁠

Socials:

• Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@landlordgurus⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook ⁠⁠⁠@landlordgurus⁠⁠⁠
• X ⁠⁠⁠@landlordgurus⁠⁠⁠
• TikTok ⁠⁠⁠@landlordgurus⁠⁠⁠
• Youtube ⁠⁠⁠@landlordgurus⁠⁠⁠

Try out “⁠⁠⁠Sage⁠⁠⁠” our AI landlord helper

Handpicked tools from our list of partners:

• Collect Rent with ⁠⁠⁠PayRent⁠⁠⁠ 
• Thoroughly screen applicants at ⁠⁠⁠RentPrep⁠⁠⁠
• Set up your dedicated landlord bank account with Baselane
• Check in with ⁠⁠Obie⁠⁠ to make sure you have the rental property insurance you need
• Use the property management software we’re using to handle daily rental tasks, with ⁠⁠⁠Avail⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠TurboTenant⁠⁠⁠ 
• Get full property management services, at a fraction of the cost, with ⁠⁠⁠Hemlane⁠⁠⁠
• Or check out our full ⁠⁠⁠Toolkit⁠⁠⁠