Owner FAQs
Answers to your frequently asked questions
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What do property managers do?
We act as an agent for the owner, prepare properties for renting, inspect properties before, during, and after a lease term, market properties, make properties available for prospective tenants to view, receive applications, screen applicants, coordinate lease signings and lease renewals, maintain the property, provide administrative and financial property management, correspond with owners and tenants, log correspondence in our system, and coordinate utility payments during the make ready process.
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How often will I hear from my property manager?
You will hear from us as much or as little as you prefer. We will discuss this in our initial consultation and contract signing.
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What if you can't find a good tenant?
We are confident in our ability to quickly secure tenants and keep the cash flowing on both plans, so we offer a tenant guarantee: No management fee collected if the home is vacant for more than one billing cycle.
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How is maintenance handled?
Tenants have responsibility for light maintenance on your property. They have to replace burnt out light bulbs, change furnace filters, and change batteries in the smoke detectors. Tenants are also usually responsible for the lawn care.
When repairs need to be done outside the scope of the tenant's responsibility, we would have one of our sub-contractors handle the job. Anyone doing maintenance on your property is selectively screened and insured for liability and workers compensation to protect you from unnecessary exposure. We handle the nuisance calls at all hours of the day or night, so you don't have to deal with that call in the middle of the night.
If we go out and find that the problem was caused by the tenant caused, the tenant will be billed and responsible for reimbursement of the charge. We look at your property as our own and are only doing necessary maintenance and repairs; however, if it exceeds our authorization limit as stated in our management agreement, you will be contacted.
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How is the security deposit handled?
We handle the security deposit for your tenant. According to state law, there are special requirements for the handling of deposits. We keep the deposits in a separate account. We conduct a move-in condition report of your property prior to the tenant moving in; we do it again when they move out, so we have a before and after picture and can lawfully deduct any damage over and above normal wear and tear on the property.
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How is rent handled?
Like most leases, our rent is due on the 1st of the month. Late fees are charged after the 3rd of the month. We make paying rent easy. Tenants pay online through their resident portal in our software. Once collected, we need to make sure the funds clear and bills are paid; therefore, the proceeds are deposited into your account or sent to you after the 7th of the month.
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What happens if a tenant does damage?
A security deposit taken at move-in is usually adequate to handle most damage that a properly screened tenant may cause. Tenants with good credit and prior rental or ownership history seldom cause much damage. Should the tenant leave your property owing more than is covered by the deposit, they will be billed. If they do not pay, they will be turned over to a collection agency.