Fact-Checking Statement

Commitment to accuracy

Rental Property Lab is committed to publishing content that is accurate at the time it is written and honest about its limits. We write for landlords and investors who make real financial and legal decisions, so accuracy is not a marketing claim for us; it is the foundation of the resource. We would rather say we do not know than present a false certainty.

Verification process

Before publication, each article and calculator goes through a verification step:

• Calculator formulas are checked against the standard definitions of the metric they compute (cash flow, NOI, cap rate, cash-on-cash, amortization).
• Tax references are checked against current IRS Schedule E form lines and instructions.
• Cost and lifespan ranges are checked against published manufacturer specifications and publicly available cost data, and presented as ranges.
• Jurisdiction-dependent rules (deposits, notice periods, screening) are flagged as variable rather than stated as a single national rule.
• A second editor reviews the draft for internal consistency and for claims that overreach the evidence.

Sources we use

We rely on primary and operating sources wherever possible:

• IRS Schedule E (Form 1040) and its instructions for rental income and expense reporting.
• Manufacturer specifications for component lifespans (roofing, HVAC, water heaters, appliances).
• Published primary sources: IRS forms and instructions, manufacturer documentation, and public regulatory guidance.
• Established financial definitions for NOI, cap rate, cash-on-cash, and amortization.

How errors are handled

When an error is discovered, by us or by a reader, we verify it, correct the content, and revise the last-updated date. Substantive corrections are made in place so the page always reflects our best current understanding. Reader reports can be submitted through the contact form; please include the article URL and the specific statement in question. See our Content Update Policy for the full correction process.

Transparency about limitations

We are explicit about what our content can and cannot do. Our calculators are educational tools that depend on the inputs you provide and on assumptions that may not match your property, market, or loan. They do not model income taxes, depreciation recapture, or local regulation unless stated. Our cost and lifespan ranges reflect typical single-family and small multifamily properties in average condition and will move with your local market. Nothing on this site is legal, tax, accounting, or investment advice, and no professional relationship is created by reading it.