5 Unexpected Tenant Calls that Property Management Companies Handle

Dustin Edwards • February 28, 2022

Unexpected Calls and How You Can Help Manage Them

When renting out your first property in Long Beach, your first instinct might be to manage the property yourself. This decision can be more expensive in the long run compared to having a property management company, as they may have more experience in dealing with tenant calls that you may not expect.

 

When a tenant calls there can be a number of reasons as to why. Some are as simple as a noise complaint or they have lost their keys, while others can be more serious like there is water pooling under the sink. There are many different calls that property management companies deal with, below are just a few unexpected calls that we take care of.


I Have Misplaced My Keys or Locked Myself Out

While this is a common call, you would be surprised at the different hours this call comes in. Remember that accidents can happen at any time, day or night. Perhaps your tenant locked themselves out while taking out the trash or lost them after a night out. Be sure to always have an extra set of keys in case this situation arises.


Lights Keep Turning Off

Usually when lights go out, the response is to check the circuit breaker and reset it. In

situations when this has happened a number of times the root cause may be more serious. Especially in older properties that were not built to accommodate all the electronics being used today. This means that the circuit breaker controlling the lights may be overloaded due to it being shared with other outlets in the rental or the circuit breaker is faulty, either way for a job of this magnitude you may need to contact an electrician.


My Window has Been Broken

Kids will be kids, and unfortunately that means that sometimes a stray ball or something similar can find its way to your rental properties window. In these cases cleaning the shattered glass and calling a window repair service is the priority. If your local window service can’t immediately come to repair the window, temporarily secure the window opening to prevent hot or cold air in or out. Securing the opening will also keep wild critters from entering through the broken window. 



Water is Coming Up the Bathtub/Shower Drain

Having a backed up tub, shower, toilet, or sink is rather common and often can be fixed with a plunger. Sometimes a backed up tub, especially if the water smells like sewage, can indicate a serious problem. It could be a blocked main line, but could also be a clog in a plumbing vent. These vents allow sewage air escape out of the roof of the home. They are used to regulate air flow in your plumbing and assure waste and water flow through your pipes. When they become clogged usually by leaves from neighboring trees the sewage air and water may come up from the drains.

 

Water Stain or Leak from the Ceiling

When a tenant calls about a water stain or leak from the ceiling it is important to address immediately. As a stain can be the symptom of worse problems. This can be caused by a leak in the roof and if water has already leaked into the ceiling it means that you’ll need to send someone to inspect the roof and remove any wet insulation in the attic. Delaying this can cause mold to grow and in a worse case the ceiling can come crashing down.

 

If your Long Beach rental has multiple units, having water leaking through the ceiling can also mean the tenant in the unit above has a leak they may not be aware of.

 

These are only a small number of calls we handle for you when you have your rental properties managed by Beach Cities Property Management, if you have further questions about unexpected tenant calls feel free to call us at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our free rental analysis to see what your rental could yield today.

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With the real estate market as competitive as it is, many landlords are looking into building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or Jr. ADU to improve their bottom line with additional monthly income. While this is a great way to earn more, you need to be sure you’re investing in the right upgrade to your property. Below are some of the key differences between ADUs and Jr. ADUs; this way, you can make the right decision for your property. Differences between Junior ADUs and ADUs On the surface, the primary difference between an ADU and a Jr. ADU is the square footage. However, there are many considerations for each type of ADU , significant differences include costs and build limitations. ADUs are generally seen as a larger and more versatile build when compared to a Jr. ADU. They can be built detached from the main home, converting an existing structure, most commonly the garage. In Long Beach, an ADU can be up to 800 square feet or 50% of the gross floor area of the primary dwelling, whichever is smaller. For reference, an 800 sqft living space can be arranged as a 2-bedroom 1-bath home, though with creative use of the space, many investors have been able to fit 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms comfortably. If listing the ADU for rent is the goal, this can produce a higher yield, though at the cost of a higher initial investment. Jr. ADU, on the other hand, can only be a maximum of 500 sqft and must be built attached to the existing single-family home. While you can build an entire new addition to accommodate the Jr. ADU, it's not uncommon for homeowners whose homes are bigger than they need to convert a bedroom into a Jr. ADU in order to have additional income . A Jr. ADU does still require an efficient kitchen. Bathrooms can be shared with the main house, though this can deter some prospective tenants. Additionally, the utilities are oftentimes shared with the main house, which can simplify installation, though it can complicate utility costs with your tenant. When an ADU is Right Being able to build a full ADU provides an entirely separate and private living space, which is more desirable to prospecting tenants. This is the preferred choice for most investors, especially those who have unused space in their property. By being built apart from the main house, an ADU may cause less disturbance to those living in the main house, whether that be yourself or another tenant. In Long Beach, CA. ADUs can’t be listed as short-term rentals on apps like Airbnb; that being said, an ADU can command more in rent because of the aforementioned features. If you’re looking for a long-term investment, ADUs increase your property’s value while generating a consistent cash flow. Finally, if you ever plan on selling your rental property, the additional ADU can improve the appeal of your property to future buyers. When a Jr. ADU is Right While a Jr. ADU doesn’t have the same potential as a full-sized ADU, Jr. ADUs are far more budget-friendly. These are a great option for investors who have limited funds. Since Jr. ADUs generally require less work to be done in less time, allowing you to begin making a return sooner. Finally, if your property doesn’t qualify for a full-sized ADU permit due to the size of the property lot, a Jr. ADU can be built primarily through interior work, which may only require reconfiguring existing interior space. Whether you choose a full-sized ADU or a Jr. ADU, the decision depends on more than just the size of the structure, you’ll have to manage filling the vacancy and managing the new tenant. If you need help choosing which ADU is right for you or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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