Whether it’s filing new paperwork for the first time or handling problematic people for the millionth, enduring challenges alone is no easy feat. It’s suffocating, not knowing where to find help — or even if help is within reach. The same is true for landlords and investors. As the laws and the property-renting landscape changes, small and fledgling landlords alike are caught in a chaotic environment. It’s overwhelming, especially as they’re overshadowed by larger groups which already seem to have all the answers. If you feel like this describes you, don’t worry: the truth is that you aren’t alone. The Genesee Landlords Association is there for you.
For decades, the GLA has dedicated itself to supporting landlords and investors from all walks of life through all kinds of challenges. It’s a community where people can learn from each other and share their experiences or, as Board Member Henry Tannebaum puts it, “fight battles that individuals wouldn’t be able to fight alone.” It offers an abundance of resources, as well — members can access background screenings and eviction databases for tenants, legal forms and leases, opportunities for civic engagement, scholarships for high school graduates, a monthly newsletter and more. Not only that, but the GLA also boasts plenty of networking opportunities online and in-person. This includes but is not limited to its monthly meetings, taking place the second Monday of each month. Even newcomers without a membership are welcome to attend up to three meetings annually. And, with roughly 300 paid members and 100 non-paid, there will always be someone to talk to. You will never be left without someone to ask about how to fill out that one form or how to address that one damaged property.
Tannebaum emphasizes the importance of small- and middle-sized landlords banding together as a community. As a member since the 1980s, he knows how strength in numbers and common interests can help everyone fight battles they couldn’t face alone and “get the job done right.” He’s also aware of how vital information is in this field, with ever-changing laws and problem tenants hiding in the woodwork, staying up-to-date and knowing what to look for is essential to avoid issues. This is why the GLA puts so much focus on educating its membership.
“There are more landlords than you know, but people don’t tend to talk about it.”
Henry Tannebaum, Genesee Landlords Association Board Member
“We’ll give them more information they may or may not have and collective advice from the group,” Tannebaum said, “We’ll help make them more professional.” In all of this, he stresses how everyone in the organization shares an almost familial bond: like-minded yet diverse individuals — from established investors in suits to new landlords in plain clothes — gather together in camaraderie. Even after leaving the field, some former members return to speak with old friends. Connections made here don’t disintegrate easily.
“There are more landlords than you know, but people don’t tend to talk about it,” Tannenbaum said. “You are not alone.”
If you’re interested in finding your community of fellow landlords and investors, or even if you’re interested in seeing if the field is for you, Tannenbaum encourages everyone to give the Genesee Landlords Association a chance. “We’re always looking for new members,” he said.
For more information, visit geneseelandlordassoc.org, call the office at 810.767.3080, or attend one of GLA’s main monthly meetings. These meetings are held on the second Monday of every month at Redwood Steakhouse on 5304 Gateway, Centre Blvd. in Flint.
