While there is no new legislative activity to report this week, we are deeply into the political season.  This is also a great time to understand how legislation can potentially impact the corporate housing industry.  CHPA can help!

Do you know how to monitor the legislative activity that could impact your right to do business in your markets?  Will you find out in enough time to do something to protect your livelihood?  Through CHPA, you have access to information.  Staying informed can mean staying in business.  Find out more on October 23 on CHPA's Webinar: If You're in Corporate Housing, YOU are in Politics!  One hour gives you access to lots of information that you NEED to know.  Register today!  

This week, this bill on PA Taxes is the only bill to have any activity.  This bill deals with hotel room rental tax.

Taxes

PA H.B. 1478 - An Act amending the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code, in alternative provision for third class county convention center authorities, further providing for hotel room rental tax.

To check legislative issues in your areas of business, go to the CHPA website to find out more information.

Many companies strive for excellence in all of their business practices – whether that be client services, sales success, guest satisfaction or continued technological improvements or advancements. You may know a few companies that exhibit these smart, innovative practices.

Through the annual Tower of Excellence Awards program, CHPA recognizes member companies who positively impact and serve the corporate housing industry. The nomination process is simple and the benefits of not only being nominated, but also winning the award, can give your company that much needed publicity -- for FREE!

Nominating a company is easy.  There is a two-step nomination process.

1. Step one is where we need you! It takes less than two minutes for you to nominate a company, an individual, or even yourself. The nominations are free and confidential, and you can nominate as many companies or individuals as you like. Nominations will be accepted through October 31, 2012. You can nominate more than one company, one colleague or in more than one category!
2. CHPA will contact each nominee for more detailed information in order to complete the nomination. This additional information will be considered by the judges and judged based on the criteria outlined for each specific award.

While the nominations are easy, judging can be difficult. There is so much talent and success in the industry.  CHPA uses an independent panel of 3-5 experienced association professionals to review the award submissions. This judges’ panel is not actively involved in the corporate housing industry, in either a provider or partner capacity. The panel is made up of non-profit executives, marketing professionals, financial/accounting professional, and others familiar with the volunteer nature of associations. Each award submission is reviewed according to the objective criteria set forth for each category and is weighed individually on its own merits.

Take advantage of this opportunity to get free publicity and increased awareness. You’ll receive recognition as a nominee and have the opportunity to be acknowledged among your peers.  The bonus is if you win! Winners are announced and sent out in press releases, recognized throughout the membership and acknowledged on the website. Winning companies are recognized as successful and supportive in the corporate housing industry.

The following awards are open for nomination:

• Company Member of the Year (less than 300 Units)
• Company Member of the Year (more than 300 Units)
• Company Member of the Year (Associate Partner)
• Individual Member of the Year (less than 300 Units)
• Individual Member of the Year (more than 300 Units)
• Most Creative Marketing (less than 300 Units)
• Most Creative Marketing (more than 300 Units)
• Best Community/Philanthropic Program
• CHPA Volunteer of the Year
• Best Green Progress Award

Nominate a company by October 31, 2012! Start now!

Taxes in MA 

MA H.B. 3842 - An act providing local aid enhancement for the town of Brewster.  By Representatives Turner of Dennis and Peake of Provincetown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3842) of Cleon H. Turner, Sarah K. Peake and Daniel A. Wolf (by vote of the town) that the town of Brewster be authorized to impose a room occupancy tax on certain property rentals located in said town. 

To see more information on local and state legislative activity, please check out the legislative section of the CHPA website.  

Going through the process of conducting a background check on prospective renters may seem like just one more hassle and/or an additional cost. Many property owners will rent out a property to someone because they “have a good feel” for the person upon their initial meeting.  Good feelings aside, however, you honestly have no idea who a prospective renter really is. Before you trust them with your property, consider the following before foregoing a background check:

1. Running a background check protects you as the landlord.  Not only does it provide you with information about credit and eviction history, but also a background check provides you with legal documentation (as required by the FCRA and the Fair Housing Act) for turning down a potential tenant. It simply isn’t enough, legally, to say that you don’t have a good feeling about a particular renter; you need to give them concrete reasons that can be backed up by their credit report and/or rental history for rejecting their application.
2. A background check will verify a potential tenant’s employment status and income.  It’s not enough that a renter can come with cash-in-hand for the first month’s rent and deposit. As a landlord, you want to make sure that they’ll be able to pay their rent on-time and in-full every month.
3. Most background checks also include a criminal history report.  Most property owners do not want someone with a criminal record, particularly a recent or violent one, staying in their property.
4. You will receive the contact information for former landlords/property managers of the prospective renter.  Asking just a few pertinent questions of former landlords will help to give you a better idea about the type of tenant someone will be. You’ll get this information in documentation from a background check.

Remember, running a background check helps you minimize your risk so that you can maximize your profit!  Limiting your rental properties to properly screened tenants who have passed your application process is the best way to protect your investment and yourself against potential liabilities. With a good, stable tenant in place, you can rest easy knowing you’ve protected yourself and your property to the best of your ability.