When Do You Need To Have A Manager On Site?

Knowing the best time to hire an on-site manager can significantly impact your property’s efficiency and tenant satisfaction and improve your overall bottom line. As a landlord, deciding whether to hire an on-site manager involves weighing factors such as your legal obligations, the size of your property, and your tenant’s needs. While single-family homes may not require constant supervision, multi-unit dwellings can oftentimes benefit from having a hand on-site.

Below, we’ve gathered four reasons why a landlord should consider having a manager on-site.

Legal Requirements

First, you’ll need to understand your legal obligations to your tenants. For example, in California, if your rental property has over 16 units and the owner doesn’t reside on-site, then another responsible person must live on the premises, typically the on-site manager, housekeeper, or janitor. This is generally to have a responsible party for the day-to-day operations.

Even if they’re within the legal threshold, many landlords prefer to have an on-site manager to help ensure a timely response to tenant disputes and complaints. This can, in turn, reduce the risk of legal claims and turnover rates.

Property Size

Even if the rental property has less than 16 units, the size and complexity of the property can sometimes justify having an on-site manager. In properties with a high volume of tenants, issues such as maintenance requests, noise complaints, and lease enforcement can occur more often. Equally important is the complexity of the property. If your property has multiple buildings, many amenities, multiple stories, or a large footprint, having an onsite manager is incredibly beneficial. Gyms, poos, and parking structures typically require regular oversight and maintenance. An on-site manager can help to ensure these facilities not only remain clean but also remain functional and compliant with local safety regulations.

Operational Efficiency

An onsite manager can significantly improve the efficiency of how your property operates. For emergency situations such as burst pipes, fires, or break-ins, an onsite manager can respond immediately. By taking quick action, the onsite manager can reduce the damage done to the property while also ensuring your tenant’s safety. Without an onsite manager, your tenant needs to contact you directly, which means that at any hour of the day, you may need to be available.

In the case of general repairs and maintenance, an onsite manager can ensure repairs are promptly taken care of. This is essential for tenant satisfaction. Relatively minor issues, such as electrical breakers tripping or small plumbing leaks, can be taken care of quickly. This reduces the risk of larger, more expensive repairs if the minor issues are left ignored.

Rent Collection

Though there are many other options for paying rent nowadays, an on-site manager can oversee rent collection. They can be useful in enforcing late payment policies and addressing violations on the lease as they happen. This also gives you immediate information about who’s paying late and why, allowing you to make a better-informed decision about future lease renewals.

Their presence typically deters squatters and discourages poor behavior from your tenants. This creates a more stable and comfortable environment for your tenants.

Deciding whether or not your rental property can use the help of an on-site manager will depend on a number of factors. Such as the size of your property, the volume of your tenants, and the demands of your rental property. As well as your abilities in repairs and property management. If you’re still unsure if you need an on-site manager 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.