Why Most People Don’t Switch Property Management Companies

Dustin Edwards • March 22, 2022

Switching Property Management Can Be A Difficult Decision

 Why Most People Don’t Switch Property Management Companies


It is difficult to understand when you should switch property management companies. Many times landlords feel as though the property management company has to have done something wrong in order to make the switch; this is certainly not true. There are a wide range of reasons to switch property management companies. We invite you to discover a few items of why people switch property management companies in this article.


How do I Compare Property Management Services?

Comparing property management companies periodically (at a minimum annually), is a prudent and effective method to understand if your property management is keeping up with the industry. You’ll find the top 3 categories to evaluate your property management company listed below. 


  1. Communication     - Good communication is essential when running any business, and managing your Long Beach rental property is no different. Conflict is often the result of a misunderstanding, due to a lack of communication. A property manager’s job is to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible while communicating effectively to minimize any misunderstandings. This means everything from how a property management company communicates with an owner to the tenant calls that they manage for your property.
  2. Knowledge - A property management company should be able to provide reports on your rental property. A financial report that records rent revenue and maintenance costs. And a physical report to provide the landlord with information on necessary repairs, general maintenance schedule. The provided information will aid in evaluating the property’s results. 
  3. A property management company should be able to keep up to date with the changing laws in order to avoid any unexpected expenses since laws in Long Beach and California change often
  4. Tenant Satisfaction - A competent property management company should understand that keeping tenants satisfied is as important as maintaining the rental property. Though tenant dissatisfaction can’t always be foreseen. In order to reduce tenant turnover it’s essential for a property management company to be able to keep up with market trends, maintenance and provide customer service to tenants.


How Do I Part Ways with My Current Property Management Company? 

First, check the  cancellation policy section of your contract with your current property management company. The policy may ask for a waiting period once you inform them of termination, usually 1 or 2 months. This section might also include an outline of any fees that are associated with canceling their services. 


If you are under a yearly contract with your current property management company, you may have to prepare for possible costs. Not only the canceling fees but you may be required to provide payment for any work orders or bills that have not yet been accounted for. These tend to come up after the contract is terminated.


Since your property management company may be taking care of communication with your tenants, be sure to inform your tenants that there will be a change in management or ask if your new property management company has a transition letter you can use. Tenants should be informed in writing if you intend to take over yourself or have another property management company take over. The information in the letter should include who will replace the previous company, who to pay their following rent payments to and when the management transfer will happen. To ease any insecurities with the tenants, inform them that their security deposit has also been transferred.


What to Expect from the New Management Company

You should expect them to manage day-to-day affairs. They should be able to run your Long Beach rental properties day-to-day matters including handling tenant requests, complaints or emergencies and documenting them. They should keep a database of well qualified prospective tenants for any future vacancies that may arise. Professional rental analysis of your area and your competition. 


At Beach Cities Property Management, our mission statement is to manage residential income properties with a completeness and totality that relieves our clients from any and all concerns with day-to-day management and accounting.


If you are looking to change your Long Beach property management company and have questions about our monthly property management services feel free to call us at (562) 888-0247 or feel free to 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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