Owning a rental property can be confusing. Who's supposed to fix that leaky faucet? What about mowing the lawn? At CRI Properties, we've seen these questions pop up time and time again. That's why we've put together this guide to clear things up.
In this post, we're going to break down what property managers handle and what falls to tenants. By the time you finish reading, you'll know exactly who's responsible for what. This knowledge will help you avoid arguments, keep more money in your pocket, and keep your property in great shape.
What Duties Property Managers Take Care Of
Property managers do a lot to keep your rental running smoothly. Here's what duties we typically handle:
Finding and Screening Tenants: We dig into potential tenants' backgrounds, checking their credit, job status, and rental history. This helps us find reliable folks who'll treat your place right.
Collecting Rent: We set up easy ways for tenants to pay on time - no more awkward phone calls about late rent.
Fixing and Maintaining the Property: We take care of routine upkeep and emergency repairs. This keeps your property in good shape and your tenants happy.
Following the Law: We stay on top of housing laws. This keeps you out of legal hot water and ensures fair treatment for your tenants.
Managing the Money: We handle the numbers, including budgeting and expense tracking. We'll give you regular reports so you always know where you stand.
Checking on the Property: We do regular walk-throughs to catch small problems before they become big ones. This saves you money and keeps your property value up.
Enforcing Lease Rules: We ensure tenants stick to what they agreed to in the lease. If issues come up, we handle them professionally.
Marketing Empty Units: When a tenant moves out, we work fast to find a great new one. This means less time spent on an empty property.
Always Being Available: We're on call 24/7 for emergencies. This gives you and your tenants peace of mind.
Working with Contractors: We have a network of trusted pros to perform repairs, maintenance, and renovations on your property. We make sure the job's done right and at a fair price.
What Duties Tenants Need to Handle
Tenants have their jobs to do. Here's what renters typically need to handle:
Paying Rent on Time: Tenants need to pay rent when it's due, per their lease.
Keeping the Place Clean: Tenants are in charge of regular cleaning, taking out the trash, and keeping things tidy.
Telling Us About Problems: We'll fix issues, but tenants need to let us know when something's wrong. Quick reporting can stop small problems from becoming big ones.
Following Lease Rules: Tenants must stick to what they agreed to in the lease. This might include things like noise levels, pet rules, or not making changes to the property.
Paying for Utilities: Unless we say otherwise, tenants usually pay for electricity, gas, water, and internet.
Getting Renters Insurance: We often ask tenants to get insurance to protect their stuff.
Taking Care of the Yard: For houses, tenants might need to mow the lawn and shovel snow, unless the lease says differently.
Dealing with Small Pests: For minor bug or mouse problems, tenants should handle basic prevention and control.
Being a Good Neighbor: Tenants should be considerate of those around them and not damage the property beyond normal wear and tear.
Giving Proper Notice to Move: When it's time to leave, tenants need to tell us in advance, as their lease requires.
When It's Not So Clear Cut
In the context of rental properties, determining the responsibilities for various tasks can sometimes be ambiguous. Take air filters, for example. We often ask tenants to change these, but we don't leave them guessing. We provide clear, step-by-step instructions on how to do it right.
Light bulbs are another gray area. Generally, tenants take care of replacing regular bulbs. But if it's a hard-to-reach fixture or needs a special kind of bulb, we step in to help.
When it comes to appliances, we have a system. We handle fixing broken appliances, but we ask tenants to do simple upkeep. Things like cleaning the lint trap in the dryer fall to them.
Window coverings can be tricky too. We usually install these when a tenant first moves in. After that, tenants typically handle cleaning and small repairs.
For outdoor spaces like yards or balconies, we don't leave anything to chance. We spell out clearly in the lease who's responsible for what. This way, everyone knows exactly what they need to do to keep these areas looking good.
Talking It Out: The Secret to Smooth Sailing
At CRI Properties, we believe good communication is the secret to figuring out smooth property management duties. We keep everyone in the loop and tackle concerns head-on. How do we do it? We send property owners regular updates on their investment's performance. For tenants, we've set up easy-to-use websites where they can report issues, pay rent, and access important documents. If there's an emergency, we're just a phone call away, 24/7. We also make sure our policies are crystal clear in leases and tenant handbooks. But we don't just sit back and wait for problems. We regularly check in with tenants and inspect properties to catch issues before they become headaches. This proactive approach keeps everyone happy and properties in top shape.
Why Hiring Pros Makes Sense
Getting a professional property management company like CRI Properties can make your life as an owner much easier. We handle the day-to-day stuff, freeing up your time and reducing stress. Our know-how in property management duties means:
Better Tenants: Our thorough screening leads to more reliable, long-term renters.
Fewer Legal Headaches: We know the laws well, which protects you from potential lawsuits.
Less Time with Empty Units: Our marketing skills help fill vacancies quickly.
Better Upkeep: Our approach to maintenance saves you money over time.
Less Stress for You: You can enjoy the perks of owning property without the daily hassles of managing it.
Knowing who's responsible for what in property management duties is key to running a successful rental business. With CRI Properties, you get a partner who knows how to balance these responsibilities effectively. We care for your property like it's our own, making sure it stays a valuable, money-making asset for years to come.
Want to make owning property easier? Give CRI Properties a call today. Let's team up to make your rental property the best it can be.
