Message Loud & Clear!

So the message is loud and clear. DO NOT USE individuals that cannot provide proof of workman's compensation insurance coverage. Should you do so, you are exposing yourself and your client to significant legal liability in case there is an injury. When your client presses you to find less expensive repair people, do not give in to the apparent quick solution of using an uninsured independent contractor.

Peter Meer is President/Broker of Meer & Company, Inc., 303-322-1550, which manages 150 single family homes and properties in Denver, Colorado. He holds the Master Property Manager (MPM) designation and the firm holds the Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC) designation from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). To learn more about Peter's Landlord solutions visit Meer and Company website at www.meerandco.com.

Potential For Liability

Contrary to what these uninsured independent contractors will tell you, there is NO mechanism for waiver or release of the right of Worker's Compensation Coverage. The potential for liability cannot be effectively avoided even if the independent contractor incorporates and the worker, as an officer, elects to reject coverage.

Peter Meer is President/Broker of Meer & Company, Inc., 303-322-1550, which manages 150 single family homes and properties in Denver, Colorado. He holds the Master Property Manager (MPM) designation and the firm holds the Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC) designation from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). To learn more about Peter's Landlord solutions visit Meer and Company website at www.meerandco.com.

Property Owner Also A Statutory Employer

In addition, the property owner would also be considered a statutory employer. As a statutory employer, the property manager is required by statute to provide worker's compensation coverage to
to uninsured independent contractors (&8-41-401, C.R.S.). In the event of an accident, even a bona fide independent contractor can seek recovery from the statutory employer and property owner.

Peter Meer is President/Broker of Meer & Company, Inc., 303-322-1550, which manages 150 single family homes and properties in Denver, Colorado. He holds the Master Property Manager (MPM) designation and the firm holds the Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC) designation from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). To learn more about Peter's Landlord solutions visit Meer and Company website at www.meerandco.com.

Worker's Compensation Coverage

As property managers, we all get calls from individuals seeking to provide one type of service or another for our property repair needs. Most of these folks do not carry workman's compensation and tell you they don't need to do so. They contend they are independent contractors, thus any injury incurred while working on your rental property is not a liability to the property manager or the owner of the property. Allow me to quote part of an attorney's opinion on this subject: "Property managers that manage income-producing real estate for others, by law are a statutory employer for any person proving work on those properties. This is true, even if the worker is a bona fide independent contractor."

Peter Meer is President/Broker of Meer & Company, Inc., 303-322-1550, which manages 150 single family homes and properties in Denver, Colorado. He holds the Master Property Manager (MPM) designation and the firm holds the Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC) designation from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). To learn more about Peter's Landlord solutions visit Meer and Company website at www.meerandco.com.

Two Great Sites For Marketing

There are many Internet sites for advertising residential rentals. Some sites promise the world, but deliver much less than that. Two companies that I have found do a great job at a very reasonable price: Rentbits.com and Rentals.com. These two companies provide great access to those seeking a residential property tenant. Both of these sites provide lots of room for your narrative and for pictures. They also have some great tracking tools that help you with the folks who don't leave a phone number.

Peter Meer is President/Broker of Meer & Company, Inc., 303-322-1550, which manages 150 single family homes and properties in Denver, Colorado. He holds the Master Property Manager (MPM) designation and the firm holds the Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC) designation from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). To learn more about Peter's Landlord solutions visit Meer and Company website at www.meerandco.com.

Require Additional Security Deposit

Given the foreclosure and medical bills is it worth accepting this tenant? Depending on employment and landlord verification, the answer may be yes. It is not unusual for us to require an additional security deposit to offset the "higher" risk involved with this type of tenant. Before automatically turning down the foreclosed, medical bills galore tenant consider the above thoughts. Make a business decision that fits your company model.

Peter Meer is President/Broker of Meer & Company, Inc., 303-322-1550, which manages 150 single family homes and properties in Denver, Colorado. He holds the Master Property Manager (MPM) designation and the firm holds the Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC) designation from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). To learn more about Peter's Landlord solutions visit Meer and Company website at www.meerandco.com.

Screening Tenants With Medical Bills

Medical bills are a very common problem. When you are ill, with no insurance, your options are limited. Most often the individual waits until it becomes an absolute necessity. This is one reason that emergency rooms across the country are always full. When I run the credit reports, these unpaid bills show up and dramatically impact the FICO score. In many cases the individual continues to make appropriate payments on other debits (credit cards, car loans, etc.). So even though the credit score is low and there are unpaid medical bills, it may be a risk worth taking.


Peter Meer is President/Broker of Meer & Company, Inc., 303-322-1550, which manages 150 single family homes and properties in Denver, Colorado. He holds the Master Property Manager (MPM) designation and the firm holds the Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC) designation from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). Visit Meer and Company website at www.meerandco.com.