Definitely get the Nolo Press California Landlord’s guide. It is specific to California and is kept current with California law. It comes with a CD containing all the forms (month-to-month rental agreements, leases, application forms, etc). It also has very well-written explanations for how to do all the procedural stuff: placing the ad, screening tenants, accepting deposits, etc.
The most important piece of advice I could offer is to screen your tenants very well. Call all of the previous landlords, ask if the dogs were well-behaved, ask if the place was left in reasonable condition, ask the landlord if they would rent to this tenant again. Call the Boston PD’s personnel department and make sure the employment story checks out. Run a credit check. (People who can’t pay their bills on time generally can’t pay their rent on time either.)
