Insights & Guides
Maintenance & Property Care
Rental property maintenance guides for East Contra Costa landlords: maintenance coordination, inspections, condition assessments, vendor selection, and seasonal property care tips.
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
A vacant rental with continuous break-ins, what’s an owner to do?
A self-managing housing provider named Jennifer came to my office a few years ago. She was frustrated that she couldn’t keep good tenant’s in her rental property. Her rental had been vacant for a few months, and her reserves were dwindling; she needed to get new tenants to lease the property ASAP before she ran
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Aug 1, 2022Maintenance & Property Care
The day my tenant started a fire
Accidents can happen in any rental home. Recently, one of our tenants was frying food when a small kitchen fire quickly escalated. Thanks to fast emergency response and our proactive property management approach, what could have been a disaster was contained and resolved with minimal damage. Immediate Response Matters The apartment building’s owner had hired
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May 7, 2022Maintenance & Property Care
A Renter's Guide: Insurance, Maintenance, and Your Lease in East Contra Costa
Are you covered? Did you know that homeowners’ insurance only covers the dwelling and not your personal property? If you haven’t already done so, reach out to a local insurance agent to discuss the importance of renters’ insurance. Got Maintenance? Your lease should cover what maintenance services are the owners responsibly and what are yours
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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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