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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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By Dustin Edwards December 19, 2024
If you're properties are suffering from lack of heating this winter, these 3 common issues could be the cause.
By Dustin Edwards December 12, 2024
Although Southern California’s winters are typically mild when compared to other parts of the country, tenants still value a warm home during the cooler months. Taking steps to maintain a comfortable living environment shows your tenants that their needs are being prioritized. This is crucial for tenant satisfaction, especially during the holidays. Below are three methods to help keep tenants warm during the winter season. Maintain Heating System It's required for landlords to provide rentals with a working heating system, however, it's not uncommon for these to fall into disrepair either because of lack of maintenance or negligence. Scheduling regular inspections and maintenance before the coldest weather can help to ensure the heating is reliable and efficient. Cleaning air filters, and checking for cold spots, or irregular noises can help prevent small issues from escalating into expensive repairs. Preventative maintenance can help to reduce the chances of inconvenient calls for emergency repairs. Being proactive with your maintenance can also help you protect your investment while earning goodwill from your tenant. Another factor that can affect your heating system is drafts around windows and doors. These drafts can cause your heating system to overwork which makes the system less efficient, and reliable and ultimately reduces the lifespan of your heating system. You can address this by inspecting the seals around doors and windows for gaps or cold spots. Replace worn-out seals and caulking where it's needed. Offer Smart Thermostats Consider providing your tenants with a smart thermostat for energy-efficient heating. This can not only give tenants control over their comfort, but it's also a great tool to reduce energy usage. By providing this upgrade to your tenant, you show a commitment to your tenant’s satisfaction which can in turn result in a long-term tenant. These kinds of devices definitely benefit your tenants, though they can also contribute to the longevity of your rental property as well. Additionally, you can give your tenant a smart thermostat as a holiday gift . This can show your tenant that you’re not simply collecting rent while protecting your investment. Reverse Ceiling Fans The direction in which a ceiling fan rotates is oftentimes overlooked, and it can have a great effect on the temperature of a home. A ceiling fan is typically seen as a way to cool down a home during the hotter seasons without using the air conditioning . Reversing the spin of a ceiling fan can help to circulate warm air more efficiently during the cold season . This is because warm air rises, and a fan rotating clockwise will push the warm air back down helping maintain warm temperatures. Most fans have a switch on the motor and it is easily accessible for most people with a step ladder. This easy adjustment helps reduce the need for your tenant to use the heating system. Tenants will notice a more consistent and comfortable temperature indoors. This should also help reduce costs on their energy bill. Reversing the rotation of the ceiling fans also takes some of the strain off of the heating system. This helps to ensure it operates efficiently for years by reducing the wear and tear on it. Taking proactive steps this winter season to ensure your tenant’s comfort demonstrates a landlord’s commitment to their tenant’s comfort. A comfortable tenant is a satisfied tenant , which can lead to a long-term tenant and steady rental income. Consider it a small investment for long-term success. If you need help keeping your rental warm or managing Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
By Dustin Edwards December 5, 2024
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