Myth-understandings of Property Management Companies
Dustin Edwards • February 14, 2020
Activities of Property Management Companies Go Beyond Collecting Rent
Over the years we have found that common misconceptions about the roles and duties of a property management company can lead to frustration or worse yet an owner who constantly struggles to manage a property themselves. While you certainly could manage your property/properties yourself we wanted to breakthrough myths to help you decide if a property management company might be the best fit to help with your real estate portfolio.
Myth #1: All you do is collect rent
This is the #1 item that we hear from prospective clients prior to them enjoying the service of a property management company. There is no doubt that one of our most important duties to our clients is that of collecting rent, but that is far from the only task that we handle on any given month for our client’s properties.
Consider just a few of the following activities that we complete on a given month for a property:
- Get a tenant into a property after they lost their keys
- Called, schedule, and coordinated three tradesman to provide proposals on a new air-conditioning unit
- Scheduled a handyman to fix a leaky faucet (yes it happens daily)
- Evaluate rental applications including Pet Screening and background checks
- Perform a rental analysis to ensure the current rent is maximizing the yield for our client and helping to maintain top tenants
- Reviewing updated housing laws to ensure properties and policies adhere to both local and state laws
And the list goes on and on. Collecting rent for our owners is a vital task; however, it is only one small item that we tackle with pride daily.
Myth #2: I'm Paying Even When There isn’t a Renter
Having a vacant property means you are taking on an added expense without the benefit of the income. If you had to pay a property management company on top of the mortgage then that really would be frustrating!
While we can’t speak for every property management company however at Beach Cities Property Management we can assure you that we don’t charge you while your property remains vacant. When your property is vacant we are not making any income and we are spending money, investing our time, and putting in effort to attract new prospective tenants. A vacant property is one where no one wins which means we are working hard to find you the best possible tenant.
Myth #3: Showing a Property isn’t that Hard, Why Should I Pay for it?
It would be nice if you could hold your rental property open for a few hours and along came a tenant that had perfect credit, presented to you their financial background and was ready to move in the next day but unfortunately that doesn’t generally happen. The reality is that finding the right tenant comes down to effective marketing for tenants, evaluation of applications and ensuring the property is available to be shown at a variety of times.
Take for example the below times we have for showing on just one of our available rentals:
Now ask yourself, can you make yourself available for each of these times and maintain your current work demands?
Along with innovative technology to make our rentals available more than most we do this as our full time job which means we make ourselves available to find the best tenants. Showing property is just one of the many tasks we complete as part of our engagement with clients.
If you have a myth-understanding we didn’t mention, we invite you to give us a call at (562) 888-0247
and we can share how we could help. When you want to see how your property could do on the rental market simply request our Free Rental Analysis.
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How Long Beach property management companies market rental properties: pricing, professional listings, multi-platform exposure, fast responses, and screening.
One of the most important steps in successful rental property management is tenant screening. While marketing attracts applicants and leasing fills vacancies, the screening process determines whether a tenant will be reliable, respectful of the property, and consistent with rent payments. For Long Beach property owners, proper tenant screening can mean the difference between stable rental income and ongoing management problems. Professional property management companies in Long Beach use structured screening procedures to evaluate applicants carefully while remaining compliant with fair housing regulations. A strong screening process protects your property, your income, and your long-term investment. Why Tenant Screening Matters Tenant screening is designed to reduce risk before a lease is signed by evaluating applicant reliability. When landlords skip or rush this process, they increase the likelihood of avoidable issues. These may include late or missed rent payments , lease violations, or property damage. Additional risks include neighbor complaints and costly eviction proceedings. Replacing a problematic tenant can be expensive and time-consuming. Between lost rent, repairs, and vacancy periods , a single bad tenant placement can cost thousands of dollars. Professional rental property management prioritizes careful screening because prevention is far easier than resolving problems later. The Tenant Application Process The screening process begins with a rental application. A thorough application collects information needed to evaluate whether an applicant meets the property's rental criteria . Applications typically request: Personal identification information Employment and income details Rental history References from previous landlords Authorization for credit and background checks Property managers review this information to ensure the applicant meets established qualification standards. Consistency is critical; property management companies in Long Beach must evaluate applicants using the same criteria to remain compliant with fair housing laws. Credit History Evaluation Credit history is one of the most common factors considered during tenant screening because it reflects financial reliability. A credit report provides insight into an applicant's behavior over time. This includes payment history, outstanding debts, and collections accounts. It also shows credit utilization, which helps assess overall risk. While a credit score alone does not determine whether someone will be a good tenant, it helps identify patterns of financial responsibility. Professional Long Beach property management services evaluate credit reports carefully while also considering income stability and rental history. Some applicants with lower credit scores may still qualify if they demonstrate strong income and a reliable rental record. Income Verification and Affordability One of the most important indicators of whether a tenant can consistently pay rent is income stability. Property managers verify income to ensure that applicants can reasonably afford the monthly rent. A common guideline is that tenants should earn at least two-and-a-half to three times the monthly rent in gross income. Income verification may include reviewing: Recent pay stubs Employment verification Bank statements Tax returns for self-employed applicants This step helps ensure the tenant's financial situation supports consistent rent payments. Professional property management uses income verification to reduce the risk of late rent or financial hardship. Rental History and Previous Landlord References Past rental behavior is often one of the best indicators of future tenant behavior. Property managers typically contact previous landlords to verify information such as: Payment history Lease compliance Property condition upon move-out Whether the landlord would rent to the tenant again A strong rental history suggests the applicant understands tenant responsibilities and has demonstrated reliability in the past. Experienced property managers in Long Beach California pay close attention to rental history because it can reveal patterns that credit reports alone may not show. Background Screening and Compliance Background screening may also be part of the tenant evaluation process. This can include criminal history checks conducted in compliance with fair housing regulations. It is important that background screening is performed consistently and in accordance with local and state laws. California and many cities have regulations governing how criminal records can be considered in rental decisions. Professional property management companies in Long Beach stay current on these regulations to ensure that screening practices remain compliant. This protects property owners from potential legal risks related to discriminatory screening practices. Establishing Clear Rental Criteria Before screening applicants, property managers establish clear rental criteria. These criteria outline the minimum standards applicants must meet to qualify for the property. Typical criteria may address: Minimum income requirements Credit history expectations Rental history standards Occupancy limits By establishing criteria in advance, property managers ensure that all applicants are evaluated fairly and consistently. Clear criteria also help set expectations for applicants and streamline the approval process. The Importance of Fair Housing Compliance Tenant screening must always comply with federal, state, and local fair housing laws . Landlords cannot discriminate based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, national origin, disability, familial status, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected categories under California law. Professional property management in Long Beach California includes careful adherence to fair housing regulations throughout the screening process. Consistent procedures help ensure compliance while protecting property owners from legal exposure. Why Professional Tenant Screening Matters Tenant screening requires experience, attention to detail, and knowledge of legal guidelines. Many landlords underestimate how complex the process can be. Evaluating applications while maintaining compliance with fair housing laws and local regulations requires careful procedures. A property management company in Long Beach brings established systems and experience to the screening process. This helps property owners avoid common mistakes while improving the chances of placing the best tenants for their rental . When screening is handled professionally, landlords can feel more confident that their rental property is in good hands. The Long-Term Value of Careful Tenant Placement A good tenant can make rental ownership significantly easier. Responsible tenants pay rent on time, maintain the property, and communicate effectively when maintenance issues arise. Careful screening increases the likelihood of finding tenants who will remain in the property long-term. Long-term tenants reduce turnover costs , minimize vacancy periods, and create more stable rental income. Professional property management companies understand that tenant placement is one of the most important decisions in the entire rental process. How Beach Cities Management Screens Tenants At Beach Cities Management, our rental property management in Long Beach includes a structured tenant screening process designed to protect both property owners and tenants. Our screening procedures include: Comprehensive rental applications Credit and income verification Rental history checks Fair housing compliant evaluation standards Our goal is to place qualified tenants who will respect the property and maintain consistent rent payments. Ready for Professional Tenant Screening and Leasing? If you want help leasing and managing your rental property, professional Long Beach property management can simplify the process and reduce risk. Apply today through our **Owner Application** . Let Beach Cities Management handle tenant screening, leasing, and property management so you can focus on building long-term investment success.
How a well-written lease protects Long Beach landlords and tenants, what it must include, and how professional property management keeps leases compliant.
