Insights & Guides
Maintenance & Property Care
Rental property maintenance guides for East Contra Costa landlords: maintenance coordination, inspections, condition assessments, and vendor selection.
Oct 22, 2026Maintenance & Property Care
Who approves a repair on your rental? How owner approval limits work in California
A repair approval limit is a rule you set once, in writing, for each property. It decides which repairs your manager can order and which ones come to you first.
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Oct 21, 2026Maintenance & Property Care
How to own rentals in East Contra Costa when you live in another city
Owning rentals in East Contra Costa from another city comes down to a routine you set in writing: one statement for every home, a repair limit for each property, clean vendor billing and a known move-out process.
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Aug 3, 2026Maintenance & Property Care
SB 721 Balcony Inspections in 2026: What Owners of 3+ Unit Buildings Need to Know Now
California's SB 721 balcony inspection deadline passed on January 1, 2026. What owners of buildings with three or more units should do now: inspections, repairs, the 120-day window, and the six-year cycle, explained calmly.
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Jul 31, 2026Maintenance & Property Care
California security deposit rules in 2026: the one-month cap, the photographs, the 21 days and the electronic refund
California's security deposit rules changed three times in three years and 2026 is the first year all three apply at once: the AB 12 one-month cap and its small-landlord exception, the AB 2801 photograph requirements at move-in and move-out, and the AB 414 electronic refund and multiple-resident rules effective January 1, 2026. What can be deducted, the pre-move-out inspection, the 21-day statement, the penalties, and how Croskey runs the deposit from move-in to refund.
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May 8, 2026Maintenance & Property Care
Can Property Management Companies Charge for Maintenance? (California Guide)
Yes, property management companies in California can charge maintenance fees, coordination fees, and vendor markups, but the rules matter. What East Bay landlords need to know before signing a management agreement.
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Apr 21, 2026Maintenance & Property Care
Best Practices for Handling Tenant Maintenance Requests
Managing a rental property effectively requires more than just collecting rent; it demands a high standard of property upkeep and a streamlined approach to tenant maintenance requests. At Croskey Real Estate, we believe that the secret to long-term tenant satisfaction and asset protection lies in a professional maintenance workflow. In this guide, we break down
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May 13, 2025Maintenance & Property Care
Why Regular Rental Property Condition Assessments Are a Must for Every Landlord
IntroductionOwning a rental property is a fantastic investment, but it comes with responsibilities. One of the most critical, yet often overlooked, tasks is the rental property inspection, also called a Property Condition Assessment (PCA). Whether you’re a hands-on landlord or working with a professional team, routine inspections and condition assessments safeguard your property, ensure tenant satisfaction, and
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Oct 18, 2024Maintenance & Property Care
Deferred Maintenance in Real Estate: What Waiting Costs a Rental Owner
Deferred maintenance means knowing work is needed and choosing to wait. What the delay really costs a rental owner, and the inspection rhythm that prevents it.
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Jul 28, 2023Maintenance & Property Care
Section 8 in California: A Housing Provider's Guide to Vouchers
How the Housing Choice Voucher program actually works for California housing providers: the 2020 source of income rules, inspections, guaranteed subsidy payments, and running voucher tenancies well in Contra Costa County.
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Aug 10, 2022Maintenance & Property Care
Vacant Rental, Squatters and Break-Ins in California: What an Owner Can Do
What California law says about squatters and break-ins at a vacant rental: the trespass statute, what an owner must not do, vacancy insurance, and how to secure the home.
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May 7, 2022Maintenance & Property Care
A Renter's Guide: Insurance, Maintenance, and Your Lease in East Contra Costa
Renters insurance, who fixes what, and the California habitability rules for tenants in East Contra Costa, with the Civil Code sections that set them.
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Apr 29, 2022Maintenance & Property Care
Should you have your Pittsburg, CA home inspected prior to listing?
When it comes to selling your Pittsburg home, first impressions matter, and so does buyer confidence. One way sellers are gaining an edge in today’s competitive market is by ordering a pre-listing home inspection. While not required, it can make the selling process smoother, faster, and often more profitable. What Is a Pre-Listing Inspection?
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