As a landlord, you will likely receive many different types of calls throughout the year. From tenants who need maintenance work done on their units to those who want to renew their leases, it can be challenging for landlords to meet their obligations in a timely and effective manner. That’s where a property management company comes in handy!
This post will discuss the ten most common calls landlords receive and how a property management company can help.
Top Ten Calls Landlords Receive from Tenants
1. Maintenance Issues
One of the most common calls landlords receive from tenants is about maintenance issues. Whether it’s a clogged toilet or a leaky faucet, tenants often need their landlord’s help to resolve the problem. While some landlords might be able to handle these repairs themselves, others might not have the time or knowledge to do so—or they might live too far away to address the situation quickly. This is where a property management company can be beneficial. They will be able to dispatch a maintenance specialist to take care of the problem promptly and efficiently without the landlord having to lift a finger.
2. Lease Renewals
Another call landlords typically receive from tenants is about wanting to renew their lease. If you have good tenants who pay their rent on time and take good care of your property, you will probably want to keep them around for the foreseeable future. However, negotiating a new lease can be tricky and time-consuming. Once again, this is where a property management company helps. They will be able to handle all the paperwork and negotiations so that you can focus on other things.
3. Late Rent Payments
Unfortunately, not all tenants are perfect! Some might fall behind on their rent, which can strain your finances. If you find yourself in this situation, acting quickly and decisively is essential. A property management company can contact the tenant, keep the communication going, and work out a payment plan that suits everybody. They will also be able to keep track of payments and ensure they are made on time.
4. Noisy Neighbors
Another familiar problem landlords face is noisy neighbors. It can be frustrating for everyone if your tenants are constantly being disturbed by loud music, floor stomping, yelling, or other noise—especially if the dispute is between two tenants! Sometimes, it might even lead to them breaking their lease, leaving you with a vacancy to fill. A property management company will be able to contact the offending tenant and work out a solution that satisfies everyone—and hopefully keep the peace and your tenants.
Property management companies are used to these issues and have the experience and protocols in place – sometimes through CC&R’s, rules or other policies – that properly address noise and other nuisance complaints.
5. Unit Inspections
Landlords must conduct regular unit inspections to ensure that the property is well-maintained. However, these inspections can be time-consuming and challenging to schedule, especially if the landlord lives off-site. Proper notice must be provided to a tenant before the landlord enters the property, and it’s not always easy to get all stakeholders on the same page. A property management company takes care of this for you so that you can focus on other things.
6. Tenant Screening
One of the most important jobs of a property manager is to screen potential tenants. They’ll check prospective tenants’ credit history, rental history, and criminal background, helping to ensure that you are renting to qualified individuals who are more likely to pay their rent on time and take care of your property.
7. Handling Disputes
Unfortunately, disputes between landlords and tenants happen from time to time. Part of what a property management company does is mediate conflicts and work out satisfactory solutions for all concerned, including handling all legalities if it comes to that.
8. Evictions
It can be difficult and emotional for all involved when a tenant needs to be evicted from a unit. There are legal and logistical concerns that go along with evictions, and we’ve seen a lot of this during the past two years. People’s financial situations changed drastically during the pandemic, but some municipalities imposed a temporary non-eviction bylaw, which put many landlords in an unfortunate position. These are delicate situations, but property management companies are well-equipped to deal with them. They will be able to coordinate all aspects of the eviction, including legal filings, from start to finish, saving you a lot of time, effort, and anxiety. If they face barriers or complications due to legal measures, they will oversee the process to achieve the best possible outcome for everyone.
9. Parking Violations
Dealing with parking violations is quite common on rental properties. Tenants with assigned parking tend to get a little hot under the collar if someone parks in their designated space, and landlords are expected to do something about it quickly. For properties with guest parking, it’s also necessary to keep an eye out for opportunists that may be parked illegally or tenants that misuse their guest parking privilege. A property management company can monitor on-site parking to ensure no unauthorized use and report to the police or enlist the services of a towing company if needed.
10. Illegal Activity
Illegal activity takes many forms. It could be a tenant engaged in harassing or threatening behavior or something happening on the property that has nothing to do with the tenants themselves. These situations are highly charged and can be quite dangerous to deal with. You want to ensure your own safety and that of your tenants, so it’s vital to take an approach that does not compromise any of the above. A property management company will work with tenants, police, and others to keep the peace and ensure the premises are safe and secure.
As you can see, property management companies are qualified to handle many of the top issues landlords face today. If you manage an HOA or own rental properties in Los Angeles and are challenged to respond to tenant calls and requests, reach out to Belwood Properties today. We are a licensed broker overseeing properties and advocating for landlords and tenants throughout the Southland, and we’d love to help.
