Change can be difficult, but if your San Diego property management company is not serving your needs or meeting your expectations, it may be time to drop the managers you’re using in favor of property managers that do a better job. Your management company should be providing experience, wisdom, and leadership. You should receive investment advice and sound strategies that lead to a better rental experience for you and your residents.
Do not ignore the warning signs. If any of these situations sound familiar to you, it may be time to upgrade your property management.
Lack of Communication or Responsiveness
When your property management company does not do a good job communicating with you, they’re probably not communicating well with your residents, either. This can be dangerous, especially if it means repair work is not being done in a timely manner or questions about the property aren’t being answered.
Thanks to technology, communicating with owners and residents is easier than ever. Property managers can make themselves available by phone, text message, email, and even on social media. Most good management companies will have an online portal for owners and tenants to send messages and keep up with account activity.
Discuss your communication expectations with your property manager before you begin working together. During the course of your relationship, if your phone calls are not being returned and your emails are going ignored, it’s perfectly acceptable to begin looking for better communication with another management company.
Financial Statements are Confusing or Inaccurate
You should expect your rent to be paid on time and consistently. If the rent seems to be coming in late month after month or you notice there are deductions and costs that you did not expect or approve, you should address these questions and concerns with your property manager. You should receive an accounting statement at least monthly, which reflects the income and expenses associated with your rental property.
Transparency is critical when it comes to managing your money, and property managers are responsible for the rent that comes in from tenants and the rent that is paid to you as a landlord. There are association fees, registrations, and taxes that must be considered as well. If your property manager does not inspire confidence when it comes to matters of money, you need to find another one.
Difficult Tenants and Ineffective Systems
Proper tenant placement is one of the most important jobs your property manager can do for you. It’s critical to have well-qualified residents in place who will pay the rent on time, take care of your property in an acceptable manner, and follow all of the terms and requirements of your lease agreement. When you have tenants who are not performing the way they should, it may be due to the fact that your management company is not screening well or not enforcing the lease that’s been signed.
You want to work with a management company that has standard and consistent procedures for rent collection, routine repairs, emergency maintenance, inspections, security deposits, and claims or disputes. When you notice an increase in tenant complaints, broken leases, unpaid rents, or neighborhood nuisances, you should reconsider who you are working with.
We know it’s not easy to make big changes, but your rental property requires the best possible management you can find. We’d be happy to talk to you about how we can help. Contact us at San Diego Residential Property Management.