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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Beach Rentals Need These 3 Maintenance Items Before Summer Starts

By Dustin Edwards • May 30, 2025
Summer is a great time of year where people enjoy a number of outdoor activities. Though for landlords, summer brings with it a list of maintenance items and preventative care for their properties. Below, we’ve gathered three of the most important maintenance items to do before summer starts. Service your HVAC System Southern California summers are getting hotter and hotter, if you want to maintain tenant satisfaction you’ll need to have the HVAC or any A/C or cooling system properly serviced . Filters should be cleaned or replaced, and the ductwork should be inspected. For rentals with window units or mini-split systems should also be thoroughly inspected as well for optimal cooling. Doing proactive maintenance can reduce the risk of the cooling system breaking down during peak usage while also improving the system’s efficiency. This can lower utility costs for your tenants while extending the lifespan of your cooling system, saving you money in the long run. Additionally, consider inspecting your window and door seals for leaks. If the seals are broken, it allows hot air into the living space, this increases the cost associated with cooling while adding more load to the HVAC or cooling system. While not directly a part of the HVAC system, ensuring there aren’t any breaks in the seals helps extend the lifespan of your cooling system which is beneficial to your bottom line. Inspect your Roof The condition of a roof is oftentimes ignored since they tend to last over twenty years, and some property owners may not even be sure when the roof was last replaced . A poorly conditioned roof is one of the primary ways for a rental property to drive up the costs of repairs and tenant complaints. A damaged roof can inefficiently insulate a home, making it harder to keep it cool. It can also lead to water leaks during rainfall, which can lead to water damage, stains, and mold growth. While summers tend to be dry, the coastal cities such as Long Beach may see unexpected shifts in weather, which can bring sudden rainstorms or increased humidity. Fixing a small roof leak is relatively inexpensive, however, leaving said leak to grow can result in an emergency repair can cost thousands especially if a tenant has already moved in. A thorough roof inspection is a great maintenance item to do during a vacancy period especially as this can result in a positive experience with new tenants. This can lead to a long term stay with many lease renewals. Check for Signs of Pests Pest infestations are one of the fastest ways to ruin a tenant’s stay while also damaging a landlord’s reputation. Pests such as ants, cockroaches, other bugs, and rodents are common in many beach cities, especially during the warmer seasons. Being in a city, you’ll likely never truly be rid of pests, though, even a single complaint about an excess of bugs or rodent droppings can lead to bad reviews online, service calls, and in severe cases, lease termination. These pests not only create an unwelcome environment for your tenants, but they can also cause real damage to your investment property. Cockroaches are known to damage small wiring in appliances, ants can ruin food and get in everything, while rodents can chew through walls, plumbing, and even electrical wiring. Landlords should schedule regular ppest inspectionsto check for early signs of pest activity before the hotter season begins. Much like everything in this article, preventative maintenance is significantly cheaper than an emergency call, in this case to an exterminator. If you want to keep your tenants happy and your property well taken care of, preventative maintenance is a must. If you’re unsure about the signs to look for when doing routine inspections 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 .

What Is A Solar Battery and Does Your Rental Need One?

By Dustin Edwards • May 27, 2025
A Solar Battery is an important party of a solar panel system. However, is it valuable for a rental property? Read on to discover.

If You Have These 3 Things, Consider Putting Solar Panels

By Dustin Edwards • May 22, 2025
As California becomes more and more electric, the idea of installing solar panels becomes more enticing for many landlords. While the initial investment may be quite expensive, there are a few things to consider before making the decision. By keeping these factors in mind, you can greatly reduce the overall cost of installation as well as reduce your operational costs throughout the lifespan of the solar panels. Below, we’ve compiled three considerations you should keep in mind before making your decision to install solar panels on your rental property. Long Term Ownership For landlords whose plan is to own their rental property for a long period of time, a solar energy system can be a strategic investment with long-term benefits. The longer you own a solar panel system, the lower the operational costs can be for your rental property. Unlike a homeowner, who sees their return through their energy bill. A landlord sees their return through lower vacancy rates and higher lease renewals. The initial expense associated with installing solar panels can be offset over time through reduced energy costs, improved property efficiency, and adjusting your property’s rent accordingly. Tenants are quite receptive to features that lower recurring expenses, such as their electricity bill. With so many people working from home, a lower energy bill can result in an improvement in tenant satisfaction , as well as reduced vacancy and turnover rates. The use of solar panels fits well in a long-term investment strategy that focuses on keeping operational costs low and reliable while improving your rental property’s value . Stand Out From the Competition In a competitive rental market, such as in Long Beach, CA. Features such as solar panels can help your property stand out to prospective tenants. Features such as solar panels can increase a rental property’s attractiveness to many tenants, though, specifically environmentally conscious individuals and younger tenants tend to gravitate towards rentals with solar panels more. Properties that are energy efficient appeal to renters who prioritize lower utility bills and more sustainable living conditions. These features may influence a prospective tenant’s decision when choosing between rentals of similar characteristics and space. Additionally, tenants who are interested in sustainability often care for the rental and follow the rules better than others. They are also more likely to opt into lease renewals. This means that solar panels can improve your bottom line through a more consistent monthly rental income due to the reduced vacancy and turnover rates. Your Roof is in Good Shape It goes without saying that your roof needs to be in a structurally sound condition in order to install solar panels. In general, a roof is expected to have a lifespan of twenty to twenty-five years, If your roof still has over fifteen years of proper functionality, it's ideal for installing solar panels without requiring additional costs for repair. If your roof is in good condition and won't require repairs in the foreseeable future, you’re far less likely to face problems that would require you to remove the solar panels temporarily. This can be expensive, which is why it's important you don't properly inspect your roof before making the decision to install solar panels. Installing a solar system on your rental property offers measurable benefits to your bottom line in reducing your vacancies and turnover rates, as well as keeping your rental property competitive in the market. If you’re unsure if your roof is structurally sound to install solar panels 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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