Blog Post

How do Property Management Companies Differ from Rental Companies

Dustin Edwards • May 23, 2023

Being a landlord can be stressful at times. You need to be vigilant with your property to maintain or attract new tenants and avoid vacancies as best as possible, and you might still have to deal with crummy tenants.

Although many new landlords try to manage their properties independently, it can sometimes become overwhelming, especially if you’ve expanded your portfolio and have multiple Long Beach rental properties you have to manage.


For those who need a helping hand, there are a few different kinds of companies that can help. Today we’ll discuss the difference between a property management company and a rental company to help you decide which one is better suited for you.


Property Management Companies

A full-service property management company does exactly what it says in the box. Collect rent, vet tenants, deal with repairs, keep up with laws, take care of vacancies, and many more tasks. Naturally, there is an associated cost in using a property management company. Yet you should consider it an investment rather than a cost to your income. The best property management companies will demonstrate their value by helping you earn more. The phrase “time is money” comes to mind. For the cost of hiring a property management company, you can save yourself hours from having to visit the property to inspect it, deal with tradesmen, evictions, and general maintenance. With that time saved, you can better invest it in expanding your real estate portfolio or spend more time with family and friends. Property management companies also have many resources that can take an individual years to acquire, including qualified tradesmen and handymen, lawyers, and even lists of tenants screened and vetted to help you fill your vacancies with high-quality tenants. Everyone wants a great tenant that can reliably pay their rent and doesn’t cause you problems, and a property management company can help give you the best opportunity for that.


Rental Companies

A rental company is better suited for landlords who like to be more hands-on. While offering fewer services than a property management company provides, they are more affordable, and some sites allow you to list your property for free. While a property management company is hired to take care of your rental, enabling you to be hands-off, a rental company generally helps tenants find homes for rent. It's a way for you to allow potential tenants to see your property is for rent. Usually, you can upload images and a description of your rental property to help potential tenants to see your listing better. While most are just aggregate rental sites, some may offer background and credit checks for tenants, a separate email to conduct business, and some may offer to collect rent.



Both property management companies and rental companies are significant assets for landlords. However, the difference in what they can each provide differs significantly. For new landlords, or those who prefer to be hands-on, rental websites can offer a little help while they expand their portfolio to a point where they can justify the cost of using a property management company. At the same time, said property management company can provide various resources, albeit for a price. Whether you are a new landlord or an experienced investor looking for a hand when managing your Long Beach rental properties or have any questions about what services we provide at Beach Cities Management, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our
Owner Application online.

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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 .
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