Ann O’Connell

Ann O’Connell

Attorney

Ann O’Connell is a legal editor at Nolo specializing in landlord-tenant and real estate law. She writes for Nolo.com, Lawyers.com, and Avvo. Ann is a coauthor of Nolo's Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home, which won a silver Benjamin Franklin Award from the Independent Book Publishers Association in 2020, and Nolo’s Every Landlord’s Legal Guide.

Legal career. Before joining Nolo as an editor, Ann was a freelance writer for Nolo as well as other publications and law firms. Ann practiced civil litigation in California and Colorado, and had her own firm in Colorado. At her firm, she focused on real estate, landlord-tenant, and small business cases. 

Credentials. Ann earned her B.A. from Boston College and her J.D. from UC Berkeley Law. She has passed the bar exams in California, Nevada, and Colorado, where she is both an active attorney and a real estate broker.

Landlord-tenant law. Ann’s favorite part of writing about landlord-tenant matters is the opportunity to help tenants—who often find it difficult to afford or hire a lawyer to represent them—understand and assert their rights. Ann’s research and writing on coronavirus-related eviction bans and tenant rights has been cited by numerous news outlets and government agencies, including Yahoo Finance, CNET, Fannie Mae, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Articles By Ann O’Connell

Enforcing No-Pets Clauses
In certain situations, a landlord might not be able to enforce a no-pets clause.
When Should a Landlord Hire a Property Management Company?
Here are the signs that it's time to hire a rental property management company.
Evaluating Cap Rate: Is That Residential Real Estate Investment Property Worth It?
One way to evaluate whether a property is investment-worthy is to calculate its capitalization rate.
Criminal Acts and Activities: Landlord Liability FAQ
Landlords have some degree of legal responsibility to protect their tenants from assailants, thieves, and fellow tenants.
Ten Terms to Include in Your Lease or Rental Agreement
What landlords should include in every lease and rental agreement.
Landlord-Tenant Laws in Colorado
Navigating Colorado landlord-tenant law can seem daunting, but in reality, a basic understanding of the state’s laws is enough to help both landlords and tenants solve most issues they face—without a lawyer.
Landlord-Tenant Laws in California
Both landlords and tenants should be able to deal with many legal questions and problems without a lawyer, once they understand the basics of state law.
Landlord-Tenant Laws in Alabama
A summary of Alabama's landlord-tenant laws on topics such as tenant screening, security deposits, required landlord disclosures, late fees, and other rent rules.
Landlord-Tenant Laws in Alaska
Both landlords and tenants should be able to deal with many legal questions and problems without a lawyer, once they understand the basics of state law. This overview of key landlord-tenant laws in Alaska will get you started.
Tenant's Right to Break a Rental Lease in California
Learn when and how tenants may legally break a lease without penalty in California, and how to limit liability for rent through the end of the lease term.