3 Common Mistakes Property Managers Must Avoid

Dustin Edwards • March 7, 2024

Managing properties entails far more than simply collecting rent. A number of tasks and duties are required to ensure the satisfaction of your tenants. When a tenant feels like their needs are being met by their property manager, it increases the possibility of a lease renewal.


Today, we’re going to discuss three common mistakes property managers need to avoid to increase their bottom line.


Poor Communication

Communication is one of the most important aspects of having a good relationship with tenants. For tenants, it can be frustrating for their calls and emails to go unanswered for long periods. Suppose communication with a tenant is well established. In that case, you can learn about issues with your property, such as damaged electrical circuitry and leaky plumbing, which, if caught and fixed quickly, can save you thousands of dollars down the line. If property managers delay or ignore tenant communication attempts, it can greatly affect your bottom line. Not only can a tenant choose not to renew their lease, your property can end up with expensive repairs. 


Dealing with frequent vacancies can be incredibly stressful. Not only do you miss out on your tenant's monthly rent income, but you also need to invest money and time in preparing the rental, listing the rental, and screening another tenant.


Lack of Maintenance

Maintaining the property is rarely the tenant's job. Poor maintenance affects the tenants and will eventually come back to cost the owner. Once their lease agreement ends, tenants have no reason to stay in a rental run down out of negligence. Poor maintenance can also shorten the lifespan of the systems in the home. An extreme example is a leak in the plumbing. If the water were to make it into the walls, you risk damaging the framing, growing mold and mildew, and creating an environment that invites pests. What was a small leak will cost thousands, or the home can be considered uninhabitable until repaired.


It's best practice to have regular inspections of the property inside and out, although you’ll need to set up a date to access the inside of the tenant’s unit. Inspecting the landscaping, paint, and other amenities is important for the property's exterior. Even though curb appeal is typically only focused on when looking to find a tenant, the rental property needs to look its best year-round to maintain its value.


Being Unfamiliar with Local and State Laws

California's real estate laws vary depending on the county and city of your rental. The rules can change significantly depending on the location of your rental. Your property manager needs to be aware of the laws in the area they are managing. Many of the laws in California are in place to protect tenants over landlords, so it can be incredibly expensive if your property manager isn't familiar with these laws. This can greatly affect your bottom line in court fees, lawyers, and time.


For example, while you can state in your lease agreement that there will be regular rent increases, your property manager must know how much and how frequently they can increase and how many days notice is required before you raise the rent. 


Managing your rental property can feel daunting for first-time landlords. This can be different, though. If you need help managing your property or are having trouble understanding what other mistakes to avoid, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online.

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Beach Rentals Need These 3 Maintenance Items Before Summer Starts

By Dustin Edwards • May 30, 2025
Summer is a great time of year where people enjoy a number of outdoor activities. Though for landlords, summer brings with it a list of maintenance items and preventative care for their properties. Below, we’ve gathered three of the most important maintenance items to do before summer starts. Service your HVAC System Southern California summers are getting hotter and hotter, if you want to maintain tenant satisfaction you’ll need to have the HVAC or any A/C or cooling system properly serviced . Filters should be cleaned or replaced, and the ductwork should be inspected. For rentals with window units or mini-split systems should also be thoroughly inspected as well for optimal cooling. Doing proactive maintenance can reduce the risk of the cooling system breaking down during peak usage while also improving the system’s efficiency. This can lower utility costs for your tenants while extending the lifespan of your cooling system, saving you money in the long run. Additionally, consider inspecting your window and door seals for leaks. If the seals are broken, it allows hot air into the living space, this increases the cost associated with cooling while adding more load to the HVAC or cooling system. While not directly a part of the HVAC system, ensuring there aren’t any breaks in the seals helps extend the lifespan of your cooling system which is beneficial to your bottom line. Inspect your Roof The condition of a roof is oftentimes ignored since they tend to last over twenty years, and some property owners may not even be sure when the roof was last replaced . A poorly conditioned roof is one of the primary ways for a rental property to drive up the costs of repairs and tenant complaints. A damaged roof can inefficiently insulate a home, making it harder to keep it cool. It can also lead to water leaks during rainfall, which can lead to water damage, stains, and mold growth. While summers tend to be dry, the coastal cities such as Long Beach may see unexpected shifts in weather, which can bring sudden rainstorms or increased humidity. Fixing a small roof leak is relatively inexpensive, however, leaving said leak to grow can result in an emergency repair can cost thousands especially if a tenant has already moved in. A thorough roof inspection is a great maintenance item to do during a vacancy period especially as this can result in a positive experience with new tenants. This can lead to a long term stay with many lease renewals. Check for Signs of Pests Pest infestations are one of the fastest ways to ruin a tenant’s stay while also damaging a landlord’s reputation. Pests such as ants, cockroaches, other bugs, and rodents are common in many beach cities, especially during the warmer seasons. Being in a city, you’ll likely never truly be rid of pests, though, even a single complaint about an excess of bugs or rodent droppings can lead to bad reviews online, service calls, and in severe cases, lease termination. These pests not only create an unwelcome environment for your tenants, but they can also cause real damage to your investment property. Cockroaches are known to damage small wiring in appliances, ants can ruin food and get in everything, while rodents can chew through walls, plumbing, and even electrical wiring. Landlords should schedule regular ppest inspectionsto check for early signs of pest activity before the hotter season begins. Much like everything in this article, preventative maintenance is significantly cheaper than an emergency call, in this case to an exterminator. If you want to keep your tenants happy and your property well taken care of, preventative maintenance is a must. If you’re unsure about the signs to look for when doing routine inspections or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .

What Is A Solar Battery and Does Your Rental Need One?

By Dustin Edwards • May 27, 2025
A Solar Battery is an important party of a solar panel system. However, is it valuable for a rental property? Read on to discover.

If You Have These 3 Things, Consider Putting Solar Panels

By Dustin Edwards • May 22, 2025
As California becomes more and more electric, the idea of installing solar panels becomes more enticing for many landlords. While the initial investment may be quite expensive, there are a few things to consider before making the decision. By keeping these factors in mind, you can greatly reduce the overall cost of installation as well as reduce your operational costs throughout the lifespan of the solar panels. Below, we’ve compiled three considerations you should keep in mind before making your decision to install solar panels on your rental property. Long Term Ownership For landlords whose plan is to own their rental property for a long period of time, a solar energy system can be a strategic investment with long-term benefits. The longer you own a solar panel system, the lower the operational costs can be for your rental property. Unlike a homeowner, who sees their return through their energy bill. A landlord sees their return through lower vacancy rates and higher lease renewals. The initial expense associated with installing solar panels can be offset over time through reduced energy costs, improved property efficiency, and adjusting your property’s rent accordingly. Tenants are quite receptive to features that lower recurring expenses, such as their electricity bill. With so many people working from home, a lower energy bill can result in an improvement in tenant satisfaction , as well as reduced vacancy and turnover rates. The use of solar panels fits well in a long-term investment strategy that focuses on keeping operational costs low and reliable while improving your rental property’s value . Stand Out From the Competition In a competitive rental market, such as in Long Beach, CA. Features such as solar panels can help your property stand out to prospective tenants. Features such as solar panels can increase a rental property’s attractiveness to many tenants, though, specifically environmentally conscious individuals and younger tenants tend to gravitate towards rentals with solar panels more. Properties that are energy efficient appeal to renters who prioritize lower utility bills and more sustainable living conditions. These features may influence a prospective tenant’s decision when choosing between rentals of similar characteristics and space. Additionally, tenants who are interested in sustainability often care for the rental and follow the rules better than others. They are also more likely to opt into lease renewals. This means that solar panels can improve your bottom line through a more consistent monthly rental income due to the reduced vacancy and turnover rates. Your Roof is in Good Shape It goes without saying that your roof needs to be in a structurally sound condition in order to install solar panels. In general, a roof is expected to have a lifespan of twenty to twenty-five years, If your roof still has over fifteen years of proper functionality, it's ideal for installing solar panels without requiring additional costs for repair. If your roof is in good condition and won't require repairs in the foreseeable future, you’re far less likely to face problems that would require you to remove the solar panels temporarily. This can be expensive, which is why it's important you don't properly inspect your roof before making the decision to install solar panels. Installing a solar system on your rental property offers measurable benefits to your bottom line in reducing your vacancies and turnover rates, as well as keeping your rental property competitive in the market. If you’re unsure if your roof is structurally sound to install solar panels or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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