Glenn S. Demby

Glenn S. Demby, Esq. is the contributing editor of Commercial Lease Law Insider and Fair Housing Coach, published by the Habitat Group. His newsletters have won numerous awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors and the Specialized Information Publishers Association.

POP QUIZ

Must You Rent to Student with Assistance Dog?

Jul 29, 2025

Glenn S. Demby

Q: Your community has a no-pets policy. A disabled student and army veteran who relies on an assistance dog to help her with post-traumatic stress disorder fills out a rental application. You screen her and find that she owes her former landlord thousands of dollars in unpaid rent and has a very poor credit report. Must you rent her an apartment?

DOS & DON'TS

Define Key Business Words Like “Department”—Or Don’t Use Them

Ambiguous language is a surefire recipe for a dispute.

Jul 28, 2025

Glenn S. Demby

Ambiguous language is a surefire recipe for a dispute.

Landlord Loses

Tenant Doesn’t Need Landlord’s Consent to Make Non-Structural Alterations

Jul 26, 2025

Glenn S. Demby

A landlord served a funeral home tenant with a notice to cure for installing a scissor lift and other alterations without the landlord’s prior written consent. Two years later ...

Landlord Loses

Tort Claim Is Regurgitation of Landlord’s Lease Claim Against Tenant

Jul 25, 2025

Glenn S. Demby

While shutting down a gas station operation on leased property, 7-Eleven removed underground gasoline storage tanks, lines, piping, compressors, and fuel dispensers without the landlord’s approval. The landlord sued ...

Avoid 7 Fair Housing Liability Risks When Renting—or Not Renting—to Students

As students head back to school, give your staff this fair housing refresher.

Jul 18, 2025

Glenn S. Demby

With students heading back to school, the Coach is dedicating this month’s lesson to helping you recognize and avoid the liability risks of dealing with students. First, we’ll explain how fair housing laws apply to students even if this group isn’t listed as a protected class. Then, we’ll set out seven common pitfalls landlords fall into when dealing with student renters and what you should do to avoid them.