If you’re considering becoming a landlord, it’s important to understand the different types of property management and what each type entails. Property management can be divided into three main categories: self-management, full-service management, and tenant placement. Self-management is when the landlord is responsible for fully managing the property. Full-service management is when the landlord hires a professional property manager to handle all aspects of the property. Tenant placement only is when the landlord hires a professional to find and screen tenants. However, the landlord is still responsible for maintaining the property.
If you opt for self-management, you’ll need to be familiar with your state’s landlord-tenant laws and comply with them. These will govern aspects of the tenancy such as rental permits, rent amount and late fees, security deposit rules, the notice required for eviction, and more. Being knowledgeable about these laws will help you avoid any potential legal problems down the road.
Here are a few tips for self-managing your rental property:
Screening Tenants
As a landlord, you will want to ensure you are carefully screening potential tenants. This includes checking their credit score, verifying their employment, and looking into their rental history. It is also important to meet with the potential tenant in person to get a sense of who they are. By doing all this, you can ensure that you rent to a responsible and reliable tenant. This is important because your screening results can show a lot about a potential tenant’s ability to pay rent on time and take care of the property during their stay.
Handling Deposits and Rent Payments
You will likely require a security deposit from your tenants. This is to protect you in case of any damage the tenant may do to the property. Make sure you have specific procedures in place for how the deposit will be handled. Moreover, you must stay updated with local rental rates to stay competitive and attract tenants. Ensure you establish with them when rent payments are due and what happens if they are not paid on time. This is crucial to setting expectations with your tenants from the start.
Evictions and Tenant Disputes
You must take action if your tenants are no longer paying their rent. This may include issuing a notice to vacate or filing for eviction. You should consult with an attorney to understand the specific laws in your state and what actions you can take. It is important to remember that evictions can be costly and time-consuming, so they should be a last resort. You can also avoid such scenarios by thoroughly screening your tenants from the start.
Maintenance and Repairs
When a tenant vacates a rental property, it’s important to conduct a thorough inspection of the property to assess any damage that may have been done. You will then need to decide what repairs and/or cleaning needs to be done. It is important to get an estimate for the repairs/cleaning before you begin to know how much it will cost. You can either do the repairs/cleaning yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. You can prevent any immediate need for repairs if your rental is furnished with durable and quality furniture that can withstand wear and tear for the long term.
Marketing your Rental Property
If you’re a landlord with a rental property, it’s important to market it correctly. This will help you attract quality tenants and ensure your property is rented out as quickly as possible. You can create an attractive listing, use quality photos, and set a competitive price. You can also use online tools for marketing your rental property, such as social media and online classifieds websites. This will showcase your rental to a wider audience and help you find tenants for your property.
Increasing Your Rental Properties
Once you can manage your rental with ease, you may want to consider expanding your portfolio by purchasing more family residential properties. Not only will this provide you with a more reliable income stream, but it will also help to diversify your investments. In this case, you can look for family houses for sale in a new neighborhood that allows tenants easy access to amenities such as parks, schools, and grocery stores. This can help attract more tenants and make it easier to keep your rental property occupied.
As a landlord, you must be prepared for all situations. Knowing how to properly manage your property will give you a more reliable income stream and help avoid any stressful situations. In time, your investments will begin to pay off, and you can enjoy the benefits of being a landlord.
