Episode 183: The Key to Landlording with Tim Baldwin
Summary
So many new landlords make mistakes that they don’t even realize they are making. They don’t have a lease, they don’t know fair housing laws or maybe they discriminate in their ads. YIKES. This can end up in a lawsuit that may find the landlord in the wrong. Joining me today is Florida attorney Tim Baldwin, who focuses on landlord and tenant cases. He and I discuss the importance of having a comprehensive written lease, how to approach cameras at a rental property, and much MUCH more!
Listen to the full episode :
About Our Guest:
Tim Baldwin is recognized as one of the top landlord attorneys in Florida. Tim has been a practicing litigation attorney since 2004, specializes in landlord representation and is the owner of Property Management Law Solutions, PLLC, a law firm dedicated to helping landlords. From small, self-managing landlords to large, nationwide apartment companies, Tim’s law firm represents all kinds of landlords with their host of needs. Having tried nearly 60 jury trials, Tim puts his trial and litigation experience to help landlords reduce risks of liability, improve their management operations, and improve their legal position in contested matters. Tim also hosts his own podcast designed for property managers, Property Management Law Solutions Podcast. Tim also founded a self-help website for self-managing landlords to provide them manage their rental properties. From education, training, forms, tools, and community forum, LandlordHotline.net provides landlords with a robust and attorney-informed resource. Tim has four children with his wife, Jennifer. When Tim is not engaged in business and with his family, Tim performs music with his band, Whitesands Panhandle Band, in the Florida Panhandle, and serves at his local church.
Learn more about Tim Baldwin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timbaldwinatty/
Learn more about Property Management Law Solutions, PLLC here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pmlawsolutions/
Learn more about Landlord Hotline here: www.landlordhotline.net
This Week’s Blog Post:
Introducing Attorney Tim Baldwin
Hi friends! I’m Dr. Jen, and in this episode of My Life as a Landlord, I had the pleasure of interviewing Florida attorney Tim Baldwin, who specializes in landlord law. Tim has practiced since 2004, beginning in Florida, moving to Montana for several years, and eventually returning to Pensacola, where he now represents landlords across the entire state. What makes Tim so fascinating is his combination of experience—lawyer, real estate broker, educator, and advisor to both small mom-and-pop landlords and large national companies. I wanted him on the show because many of the landlord questions I see online boil down to the same two: “How do I get this person out?” and “How do I get my money?” Tim helps landlords navigate exactly those issues.
What Makes a Landlord “Unsophisticated”?
One of my favorite parts of this episode was Tim’s description of the “unsophisticated landlord.” These are the folks who operate purely on emotion, have never studied the laws governing their rentals, and often rely on verbal agreements or poorly drafted leases. They don’t know the fundamentals of managing a rental business, which leads to predictable disasters—unapproved pets, excessive occupants, trashed units, and tenants who know how to work the system. Tim stressed that being a landlord is running a business. Without education, without policies, and without a solid contract, the tenant often has more control than the landlord does.
Why Every Landlord Needs a Great Lease
Tim emphasized repeatedly that the lease is the core of the business. It is the operational document that sets the rules, establishes expectations, and provides the enforcement mechanisms. Without it, landlords are left with only the bare minimum statutory protections, which are rarely enough to prevent or resolve problems. Even worse are landlords with no lease at all, who end up relying on at-will termination laws and hoping a judge sides with them. A strong lease isn’t just paperwork—it’s protection, clarity, and the foundation of every decision that follows. Tim’s advice was simple: every landlord needs an attorney to help create that foundation, just like any other business owner would.
Cameras, Privacy, and Legal Boundaries
One of the most intriguing topics we discussed was surveillance cameras. Landlords often misunderstand what is and isn’t allowed. Tim explained that audio recording is governed by specific statutes, and many states require consent. Exterior cameras placed by landlords may be seen as continuous inspections, violating access laws. Tenants, on the other hand, often can place cameras like doorbell systems—but courts may strike down lease clauses that prohibit them entirely, especially when they relate to safety. Public policy, tenant privacy, and reasonable notice all play major roles. These details vary by state, and this is exactly why landlords need qualified legal guidance before installing (or prohibiting) any recording devices.
Education, Resources, and Staying Up to Date
Tim believes landlords must decide whether they truly want to be in this business—and if so, they must commit to ongoing education. Laws change, case law evolves, and trends shift. He encouraged landlords to join reliable local, state, and national associations, attend seminars, and rely on trustworthy resources—not peer-to-peer forums alone. Tim also created LandlordHotline.net, a membership platform offering attorney-informed forms, training, and community support. His goal is to provide landlords with the tools they need to stay informed and avoid costly mistakes. Whether you manage one rental or hundreds, staying educated and building relationships with professionals is essential.
I recorded this episode in Maui, Hawaii. Why? Because real estate takes you places. Where do you want real estate to take you? Join me next week for Episode 184, where mentors Paul and Leticia Montelongo join me to talk about the jump from real estate into data centers. I’ll see you there!