Basics of Property Management: Screening Potential Tenants
Important Emergency-Related Questions to Ask a Property-Management Company You Are Thinking of Hiring
Jesse Obrien
If you are looking to hire a property-management company to take care of your investment properties, there are many questions you need to ask the management company. Some of these questions include how they attract tenants, what their tenant-screening process is like, and how much they charge. However, some of the questions you ask should also be geared toward emergencies that may pop up with your rental. You may not want to think about this, but it is nice to know what will happen in the event that something goes wrong. Here are a few emergency-related questions you should ask a property-management company you are considering working with.
Do You Have a 24-Hour Answering Service?
One of the questions you should ask a property-management company is how tenants can get ahold of them if there is an emergency after business hours. Some companies hire a 24-hour answering service that will field all calls. Others will make the tenant wait until they are in the office and can get their message. This is a key question to ask, as your tenants may be turned off if no one is there to answer the phone when they need help.
Do You Work with Contractors Who Will Provide Services in the Middle of the Night?
Another important question you should ask a property-management company about their emergency property-maintenance services is if they work with contractors who will provide services in the middle of the night. Many property-management companies work with plumbers, roofers, HVAC professionals, and other home-repair professionals on a regular basis. However, not all of the vendors they typically use will handle emergency calls in the middle of the night or on holidays. Try to find a company who already has a rapport with professionals who can provide emergency repair services.
Will You Attempt to Contact Me Immediately in Case of an Emergency?
The last question you should ask a property-management company about their emergency services is whether they will contact you immediately or wait until normal business hours. This is a matter of personal preference. Some property owners want to be notified if their plumbing is flooding the home or their roof has a leak. Others hire a property-management company so they can sleep and not have to deal with these types of situations. Ask a company you are considering hiring and then find one that handles things in the manner you prefer.
Deciding which property-management company to hire is a big decision. Knowing what questions to ask can help guide you to the right questions. If you are looking to hire a property-management company, always ask questions related to emergency services and how the company deals with them. Start interviewing groups such as Choice Maintenance Group LLC to find a company that will be good for you.
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For the last several years, I've used a property management firm to help with my rental properties. One of the tasks that they handle for me is screening applicants who would like to move into one of my vacant units. Their expertise has helped me lower my tenant turnover and find people who want to stay with me for years. Part of the process is a tenant screening credit check. Before any further contact takes place, my manager orders credit reports from at least two agencies. That is enough to tell us if an applicant is a good financial risk. Assuming the references work out, I meet the candidate and make the final decision. If you own rental properties, let me tell you more about the benefits of having a property manager. I'm betting you'll find this type of arrangement will work for you too.