As professional Chula Vista property managers, we are always happy to answer questions that our current owners and potential new clients may have. Hiring a property management company to care for your largest assets is a big decision. You should gather as much information as you can before making a decision and signing a management contract.
Outside of “how much do you cost?” the most common questions are about leasing, rent collection, and maintenance. Here are some of the specific questions we hear and why they’re so important.
Leasing Questions for Chula Vista Property Managers
Some of the questions you should ask about the leasing process include:
- How do you establish my property’s rental value?
- How long will it take to find a tenant?
- What does the marketing process look like?
- How do you handle showings?
Get a good idea of how a property manager will market, show, and lease your home. It’s especially important to talk about tenant screening. Ask about screening criteria and how move-in inspections are handled. Make sure your property manager knows what to do with a security deposit.
Chula Vista Property Management Questions
Once you’ve covered the leasing particulars, you’ll want to ask some common questions about the day-to-day management process. These might include:
- How is rent collected?
- How do you enforce the lease?
- How often do you communicate with tenants?
- What if a tenant pays late or not at all?
- Do you hire landscapers for my single-family home?
- Do you have a contract with a pest control company?
Answers to these questions will show you how a management company works. You want to be sure there are systems and processes in place for everything, from inspections and documentation to rent collection and payment. Make sure there are consistent procedures that are legally compliant. Talk about the rent control laws and the fair housing requirements that separate pets from service animals. Ask questions about anything you don’t understand.
Tenant relationships are important, so pay attention to the way a property manager talks about residents. You want to know your manager will be responsive and available to you and your tenants. A good property manager will protect your investment and effectively manage the relationship with your tenant.
Common Maintenance Questions
Repairs are always going to be necessary. At any moment, a garbage disposal or a window could break. Your doorbell could stop ringing or your water heater could explode. If you’re renting units in a building, there could be a problem with elevators or common areas that impact your residents. You’ll need to know what happens when a tenant reports an issue.
Ask your potential property manager questions such as:
- Do you have a maintenance team or do you hire outside maintenance vendors and contractors?
- Are they licensed and insured?
- How do you keep maintenance cost-effective?
- Do you have preventative maintenance plans in place?
- What happens in an emergency?
Chula Vista Rental Property Accounting Questions
Accounting is a big part of rental property management these days, and most property managers are relying on fantastic technology. Ask about the software being used by the property manager. Make sure it’s specially designed for rental property management.
Good property management companies will use a software that’s designed specifically for rental management. Technology helps keep costs down and also protects you with outstanding documentation. You and your tenants should have portals so you can keep up on the things going on with your home. Accounting statements should be readily available and accurate. Transparency is critical, and you want to know you’ll always be able to see the income and expenses associated with your investment.
These are the most common questions we hear, and we’re always happy to talk through our responses. If you’d like to talk about Chula Vista property management, please contact us at Encore Realty.
