Property managers are hired by the owner to manage the operation , maintenance and administration of property rentals. Their work, among many other tasks, includes marketing rentals and finding tenants, ensuring rental rates are competitive while covering taxes and overheads, collecting rents and complying with rental laws.
Their exact responsibilities will vary depending on the type of property being managed, the amount paid and the terms of the management contract. There are some important roles that property managers can play in helping rental property owners.
Property managers are people specializing in the provision of rental services under the guidance given by the owner — whether the objectives are financial or based on the provision of attractive living conditions, or both.
Guidance may take different forms — corporate property owners may issue mission statements and vision statements on their properties, while individual owners may provide verbal guidance on their property objectives.
The manager ensures that the property is occupied by the responsible tenants, that payments are received on time, that budgets are followed and that the rent is properly maintained.
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Property managers handle everything that happens every day in a rental property. They should have working knowledge of the real estate sector in which the rental business operates, such as industrial property or housing.
The property manager then works to ensure that the owner's objectives are met by managing rent, tenants, maintenance, budgets and rental property records. They must also have an in-depth knowledge of state and national legislation on legal methods for the screening of tenants, the handling of security deposits, the termination of leases, the eviction and compliance with property safety standards.
For these reasons, some states require property managers to be licensed as real estate brokers. If this is the case, the owner of the property will have to hire a broker to ensure that the property is managed legally.
Other states allow managers to be licensed as property managers instead of realtors, while some do not require licensing at all. Apart from licensing, property managers come with a variety of specialties and experience.
Setting rent is a basic responsibility of any landlord. Therefore, it is one of the most common jobs a landlord will pass on to a property manager. The property manager sets competitive rent prices to attract tenants to the property. Generally, this is done by conducting a survey of comparable properties in the area—this should also be done at least annually to remain attractive for tenants.
The property manager will also set up a rent collection system for tenants. To ensure optimal cash flow, they set a collection date to ensure that monthly property expenses can be paid and strictly enforce late fee policies.
Screening and managing tenants is another key responsibility of the property manager. The property manager may be involved in finding and screening prospective tenants, managing daily complaints and maintenance issues, and handing out tenant moves and evictions.
The property manager must keep the property in a safe and inhabitable condition. The property managers are responsible for the physical management of the property, including regular maintenance and emergency repair. Work carried out by contractors and other repairs must be inspected to ensure that the standards are met and that their work is completed in a timely manner.
Property managers may be responsible for managing the building budget and maintaining all important records. The manager must operate within the budget set for the building. In certain emergency situations where the occupants (tenants) or the physical structure (investment property) are at risk, they may use their judgment to order repairs or otherwise without any budgetary concerns.
Sexton Group Real Estate Property Management in Berkeley and Lafayette, California is a boutique property management company specializing in residential sales as well as property management services for properties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. We have 2 offices to serve you, one in the heart of Berkeley and the other in the heart of Lafayette, California. The Sexton Group understands that many of our clients buy properties for investment purposes. Our clients are the reason we come to work everyday, and we pride ourselves in delivering exceptional care to them, their properties, and their tenants. Our focus is on maintaining the economic health of our clients’ properties and creating the perfect combination of tenants and properties. We go above and beyond qualifying our tenants; we make sure that we meet the needs of both tenants and property owners to ensure a high-quality, respectful, honest, and long-term relationship. We anticipate both our tenants and our property owners’ needs and work 24/7 to select the perfect pairing. Contact us today for your free consultation!
