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I seem to face this once or twice a year also. Good idea.

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I am writing a book about taxes for people who have rental
property (NOT the "get rich quick" focus or the 1031 focus,
just the everyday stuff.) I'm considering calling it "The
Accidental Landlord: What You Need to Know About Taxes and
Recordkeeping".

Yes, the person with 12 rental properties will pass it by
but my focus is on those who all of a sudden find themselves
bringing in rental income:
-taxpayer takes a job in another city or decides his house
is too small so moves to a larger one. He rents out house #1
(at least temporarily.)
-taxpayer buys a second home in a resort area but discovers
that expenses are higher than anticipated so decides to rent
it out (at least part time)
-taxpayer falls in love and moves in with new partner,
renting out her house. -taxpayers buy a house that happens
to have an in-law apartment which they decide to rent out
-taxpayer owned house with partner. They break up, partner
moves out, and taxpayer can't afford to pay the mortgage by
herself. She rents out a room in the house to someone else.
etc.

My question -- do you find these and similar situations in
your practice? I get at least one call a week from someone
in a situation like this -- they didn't PLAN to be a
landlord but circumstances are such that they are/will be
and they have no idea what that means taxwise (most common
question -- I got it again yesterday -- "will I still be
able to deduct my mortgage if I rent my house out?")

Would appreciate your feedback on the title/idea of the
title and whether these situations come up as often for you
as they do for me.

Jan Zobel EA

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