Blog Post

Questions a Tenant Could Ask a Property Management Company

Dustin Edwards • Mar 29, 2021

Be Prepared to Answer these Questions and More as a Landlord

Tenant Questions
Even in a tight rental market where there can be many qualified tenants for a single property we encourage tenants to ask the questions that will help them to find the best possible property and the best property management company that will work with them over their tenure as a tenant. As you look for properties in Long Beach and nearby cities consider asking these questions of the property management company to help you find the best fit.

If I lose my key what happens? I.e. Are there costs? And what is the turn-around time to get into my place when I’m locked out?

One of the most common tenant calls we receive as a property management company is the call that one of our tenants is locked out. Getting locked out has likely happened to all of us at one point in time and the reality is that each property management company can handle the scenario differently. Even if you think this is unlikely to occur it is important you ask. For example consider the following:

  • Some keys for condos are “do not duplicate” and can be very expensive
  • If a key is lost the lock (vs. locked inside by accident) the home may have to be re-keyed by a locksmith and new keys made
Understanding the costs, prior to signing a lease, for a lost key are essential to having a great working relationship with your property management company.

How old are the appliances?
One of the attractions of the new developments throughout Long Beach is the aspect that everything is new! From new flooring to new appliances because that means you as the renter are unlikely to deal with any hassle related to an appliance not working.

Of course when it comes to renting a single family home in Long Beach you are unlikely to find “brand new” but you are likely to find a great quiet neighborhood which means you might want to inquire about something as common as the appliances. Taking the time to ask the property management company about the age of the appliances can give you an understanding if you might have to deal with any potential hassles. Even knowing the cost isn’t your responsibility, you don’t want to be inconvenienced by the need to repair a refrigerator, dishwasher or oven. If the property management company isn’t sure, consider asking how many service calls they have handled for the appliances for the last tenant as those should all be on record.

How much has the rent increased over the last few years?
Now past performance is certainly not an indication of future gains; however, as a tenant you can certainly ask to see if the property management company will share with you the rental increases. They could give you an average increase for that area instead of being specific to the property and that could work fine as well.  

In times of challenge, whether that be financial turmoil or pandemic related scenarios it is common for rents to remain the same; however, in stable economic conditions rents traditionally rise. One reason we suggest you ask about rental increases is to have an understanding for planning your budget. For example if one year your rental amount doesn’t change that is great news; however, even if it rises at an inflationary rate (i.e %1.6-3%) that could mean $84/mo on a $2,800/mo rent at 3% which is something to plan for when you are evaluating rental properties.

Understanding, from the property management company’s perspective how they have raised rent, communicated that raise, etc. can help you to have a better understanding of if you want to rent a property that is managed by them.

As a property management company we field all of these questions, and many more, from potential candidates. When you want to find out how we could alleviate stress, answer tenant questions, and still help you to get top dollar for your Long Beach we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 to hear how we can help. If you want to have a quick check to see how much your property could fetch in rent we invite you to fill out our Free Rental Analysis where we perform a comprehensive comparison to share your rental stacks up to the competition.

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: