Blog Post

5 Uncommon Calls that a Property Manager Handles

Dustin Edwards • Dec 28, 2022

Property Managers Handle All Kinds of Calls

Property management companies often handle calls from tenants involving getting locked out or needing a repair to be made. Occasionally tenants can call asking for something a little different. 


Below are 5 uncommon calls that property managers handle.


Exotic Pet Requests

For the majority of tenants, wanting to keep a pet is normal. A cat, dog, or goldfish is incredibly common to be allowed in rentals nowadays. This keeps tenants happy, which in turn leads them to stay at your Long Beach rental property for a more extended period


What if your tenant has crazy pet requests?


Exotic pets can be as tame as a guinea pig, hamster, or rabbit, which can seem relatively unremarkable even though they are tagged as “exotic” pets. However, this can also include reptiles, birds, and large aquariums. Many landlords may feel uneasy about having animals that require live insects as food due to the potential for pest problems in the future. Birds, although smart, can be loud and bother neighbors, especially if the tenant shares a wall. Large aquariums run a risk of leaking and causing water damage to the walls, floor, and carpet. For this reason, many landlords reject renting their properties to tenants with exotic pets.


If you can justify the risks and allow exotic pets, it needs to be specified in your lease agreement. A detailed policy on exotic pets must be understandable for the tenant and yourself. The policy should cover cleaning messes. Limits on the pet relate to the number of pets, breed, and weight—a complete veterinary record disclosing disease prevention and vaccination requirements. If possible, a written reference from the previous landlord as to the behavior of the pet. As well as an increase to the security deposit in case the pet causes additional damage. 


Wanting to Change the Locks

If a tenant asks to change the rental property's locks, there may be something else wrong, as this is an unusual request. Though it’s probably in everyone's best interest to change them, as this gives them a reason to trust you, and you can avoid them changing the locks anyway. As unfortunate as it may sound, in California, if a tenant decides to change their locks, they can, even if stated otherwise on the lease agreement. Worse, they don’t need to provide you with a spare key. However, you can file an unlawful detainer action against your tenants if this occurs.


Wanting to do Paint Walls

Some tenants feel the need to make a rental feel unique to them. They may request permission to paint interior walls. Although this may seem innocuous, especially if they are willing to pay for the material and labor, it may cost you. It's no secret that tenants aren’t always very handy. If you allow a tenant to paint interior walls, you risk a poor job being done, meaning you’ll have to spend more time and money repainting it after they leave. Many landlords may outright reject this request or have the tenants pay for a professional job to paint it the color of their choosing and pay to paint it back to the original color after the lease has ended.


Install Security Cameras

Depending on the lease agreement, they may not even need permission if no damage is done to the walls. Many modern security cameras are wireless and rechargeable. The issue arises if they want to place cameras outside the rental where there are guidelines and privacy concerns.


For outdoor cameras, they will have to be mindful of where the cameras are pointing and turn off microphone features so as not to record neighbors if they choose to install a video doorbell.


Wanting to Change Fixtures

Your tenant may need more light in a room or a quieter fan if they work from home. They may request to be allowed to change their fixtures. Generally, landlords will deny this request as often a professional is required to do the work safely. 


What if the tenant is willing to pay to get the change?


Like painting the walls, if you allow them to replace fixtures, it's best practice to make sure they change them back before moving out. To keep the rental in its original form.


Property management companies are meant to deal with your tenant's calls. If your tenant has an unusual request or wants more details about our services, consider calling us at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our
free rental analysis to see what your rental could yield today.

Share this post

By Dustin Edwards 01 May, 2024
Everyone wants to feel safe in their homes. As an investment property owner, it's up to you to decide whether or not to include security measures in your property. Many of the costs associated with the security measures can be included in the rent, meaning not only can you keep your property safe, but you can earn more income in the long run. However, you would still want your tenants to have renters insurance to protect their assets. Today, we’ll discuss the top five security measures you can add to your property and why they're beneficial to you and your tenant. Security Cameras Cameras are probably one of the first security measures people think about when asked about security. Cameras provide more benefits than just surveillance. They provide an extra level of security for the safety of the tenants and their belongings. Additionally, security cameras can be useful when repairs are required. Cameras can aid in supervising repairs and maintenance to ensure you’re receiving the agreed-upon work. During vacancies when the property is empty, security cameras can help keep the property safe from potential intruders. Doorbell cameras are incredibly popular now. They provide the aforementioned safety of a camera that can be accessed remotely, as well as the ability to communicate with visitors. Although one must be careful never to say you're not home, just say you're unavailable to strangers. Security Lights Security lights with motion detectors are another effective tool when adding security measures to your property. These lights brightly if a potential intruder attempts to get near your home. They can provide enough illumination to see the intruder or, at the very least, scare them off. Nowadays, you can find a combination of security cameras and motion-activated security lights, such as the floodlight cam wired plus from Ring . Additionally, because these lights only turn on when motion is detected, they’re more cost-effective than traditional lights with a switch. Illuminate the Property Light generally deters intruders as it's more difficult to hide. Adding lighting to the landscaping can increase the security of the property while creating a relaxing atmosphere. Lights can also be used in other areas of the property to accent features such as trees, benches, or artwork. This can help your property stand out while giving your tenants an additional feeling of safety. Keyless Entry Keyless entry is seen as both a convenience feature and a security feature. They usually use an electronic passcode, biometric data, or grant access through a smartphone app. Physical keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated. You reduce the risk of unauthorized entry by eliminating the need for a physical key to enter the property. Many keyless entry systems include several features, such as remote locking and monitoring. Although keyless entry is a great new technology for keeping your tenants and properties safe, they’re best used with other security systems. Security Company Nothing beats having an extra pair of eyes on your property for security. This is where security companies like ADT and SimpliSafe come in. While companies may deal with security in varying ways, they aim to protect your investment. While safety is the primary role of a security company, remember that many tenants may be willing to pay more for a premium amenity like a home security company. Keeping your property and tenants safe is incredibly important to the longevity of an investment property. If you’re looking to improve the security of your Long Beach rental property or need help managing your beach city rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online .
By Dustin Edwards 19 Apr, 2024
Communication is key to maintaining good relationships with clients. However, there are several ways to communicate, so we intend to give you the best methods we've explored.
By Dustin Edwards 10 Apr, 2024
If you're thinking about how much different managing condos are from single-family homes, look at these top 5 reasons.
Show More
Share by: