Questions To Ask A Property Management Agency
A property management agency can help take the load off of your shoulders by handling all aspects of property care. But not all agencies offer the same services. So it's important to ask the right questions so that you can find the best fit for your needs.
Below are some key questions to get started.
What Services Do You Offer?
A property management agency should be able to provide a range of services, including property maintenance, tenant screening and leasing, rent collection, accounting and bookkeeping, property marketing, property inspections, and more.
Property maintenance is an important part of property management, as it involves the day-to-day care of the property. This can include emergency repairs, regular maintenance, and general upkeep.
Understanding how a property management agency screens and leases tenants is also important. This process should include background checks, credit, and rental histories. These are important to ensure that only good tenants are allowed to live on your property. You don't want to risk having a tenant who doesn't pay their rent, damages property, or causes other problems.
Rent collection is another key service that property management agencies offer. They should be able to collect rent on time, track late payments and fees, and help you with any evictions that may be necessary.
Property management agencies should also be able to provide property marketing. This involves advertising the property on various platforms and marketing it in ways that draw in potential tenants. Ask if they are experienced in handling the types of services you're looking for so that you can determine if they're the right choice for you.
How Do You Handle Property Emergencies?
It's important to know how property management agencies handle property emergencies. This could include plumbing, heating and cooling issues, electricity outages, or other emergency repairs. Find out if they have an after-hours line for tenants to call in the event of a property emergency and what kind of response time you can expect from them.
You want to retain your tenants for as long as possible, so it's important to know that the property management agency is ready and willing to respond quickly in the event of an emergency.
Some property managers will go the extra mile, like providing 24/7 emergency property maintenance or having a property manager on-call round the clock. But this could cost more, so make sure you're aware of the costs associated with this type of service.
It's important to do your research and ask all the right questions so that you can make the most informed decision possible. By doing this, you'll be able to find a property management agency that will provide quality services and ensure that your property is properly taken care of.
With the right property management agency on your side, managing property becomes much easier and stress-free.