Can You Collect Rent if the Tenant is Dies? | Property Management Companies in Columbia SC

Property managers always want homes to be full, resident retention to be high, and lease violations to be low. When property management companies in Columbia SC have good relationships established with quality tenants rent is more likely to be on time and profits will flow easily to investors. However, there are times when even the best tenants stop paying rent including tenant death which is one thing landlords have no control over.

What Happens When a Tenant Dies?

Property management companies in Columbia SC have an obligation to work with the executor of the tenant’s will to manage the tenant’s belongings. The lease obligation is the tenant’s responsibility even if they are no longer alive and the estate will be responsible for rent obligations.

However, most of the time the executor of the estate will not want to pay rent on an empty unit and property management companies in Columbia SC will want to release the unit as fast as possible. There are several options open to landlords and executors for how to handle the lease when a tenant dies.

Treat the death as a broken lease agreement and work with the executor to pay any early termination fees listed in the rental agreement.

As the judge to award full payment of rent to satisfy the lease during probate court proceedings

Allow the lease to break without any repercussions

Property managers need to be flexible and patient but should know the proper procedures to go through when a tenant dies while living in a rental property. If the property manager finds the tenant dead, they should call the authorities immediately and then the emergency contact information in the tenant’s file, followed by the property owner.

The tenant’s next of kin or executor will be responsible for cleaning out the home before the end of the lease, or the agreement made between the property manager or owner, and the executor. Investors will want to consult with their attorney if the property management company they are working with does not have one available.

If you are looking for a property manager, call
Auben Realty of the Midlands
at .

Red Flags When Talking to Prospective Tenants | Property Management Companies in Columbia SC

One of the most important jobs a property manager has is ensuring the most qualified tenants are living in investment properties. Investors count on property management companies in Columbia SC to know the best techniques for finding high-quality rental applicants including the red flags to listen for when showing the homes to prospective tenants.

Red Flags to Listen for

When a property manager is showing a home to a prospective renter it is important to have a bit of a conversation. Red flags often slip out in casual conversation and professional leasing agents with property management companies in Columbia SC will catch these right away.

What Do You Look for on the Background Check? If a prospective tenant wants details about what the background check is going to look for, chances are they have a few questionable things that might come up. These applicants may not want to waste time or money filling out the application if they may not pass the background check.

How Many People Do You Allow to Live Here? This question is a red flag because it indicates the prospect may not be able to afford the rent on their own, may have roommates, or additional people living in the home, whether they are on the lease or not.

I am Moving Because I Hate My Landlord. Whenever a prospective tenant trashes a landlord or other property management companies in Columbia SC it is a huge red flag that the tenant has issues, probably lease violations, with their current or previous landlords. Rental references and rental history will be important to double-check.

How Many Pets Are Allowed? When your tenant starts asking about the pet policy it is a sure thing that they have at least one animal they want to bring. If they ask how many pets can be in the home, chances are they have multiple pets or they want more in the future. Property managers will need to be upfront and clear about the pet policy in the lease.

The best way to ensure the top tenants are applying for and leasing your rental homes is to work with property management companies in Columbia SC with the ability to conduct thorough background checks and hold professional showings.

If you are looking for a property manager, call
Auben Realty of the Midlands
at .

Property Management in Columbia SC | What to do About Tenants Who Sneak in Pets

There are many reasons why property management in Columbia SC companies do not allow pets in their rental homes. Pets likes dogs and cats can scratch up carpets, walls, doors, and can leave stains and odors that are impossible to get out. The investor’s insurance may not cover pets or the risk that comes with some pets such as dogs which is one of the biggest reasons to put a no pets policy in the lease. Nonetheless, some tenants will want to have a cat or dog in the home and property managers will be left to figure out how to deal with the violation.

Confronting a tenant about their lease violations can be a tricky situation, but we have tips and best practices to make it easier on everyone.

Make Multiple Attempts to Contact-
The first time a property manager notices evidence of a pet they should contact the tenant immediately via phone call and a follow-up email. The tenant may admit to the animal being present in the home and have an excuse, but they could also deny they have a pet. If there is no answer, try again the next day and post a letter to their door asking the tenant to contact you. When all attempts to contact have been exhausted, you can send a certified letter to the tenant giving them notice of inspection.

Use Proper Escalation-
Unless the lease provides for immediate eviction on discovery of an animal, property management in Columbia SC should follow reasonable steps of escalation. First offense of a lease violation could result in a warning and demand to remove the animal. The second offense could result in a lease violation fine and a call to animal control. If a third offense is noted a move to eviction could be necessary.

Keep the Rules Consistent-
One of the key rules for property management in Columbia SC and anywhere is to make sure you keep the rules consistent. If all the properties are pet-free, you should not make concessions for some tenants and not others. The last thing a property manager wants is a lawsuit claiming discrimination because a tenant was treated differently than another.

Working in property management sometimes puts managers in confrontational situations with tenants but following our tips for tenants who sneak in pets can be applied to many different situations.

When you are ready to have a professional property manager handle the nitty gritty stuff, call
Auben Realty of the Midlands
at .

Property Management in Columbia SC | How to Assemble a Maintenance Team

When you work in property management in Columbia SC one of the most important things you need is a solid maintenance team. However, assembling the team can often be difficult, and some property managers do not know where to start. Luckily, we have some terrific tips and tricks that will help you find and hire the best candidates for your maintenance team.

Tips to Hiring Great Maintenance Team Members

Knowing Where to Hire-
Posting on Indeed, NowHiring, or other job platforms can be great for hiring a variety of positions, but a property manager will likely be looking for applicants with a special skill set for the maintenance team. Property management in Columbia SC could partner with staffing agencies that work with laborers that have experience in painting, drywall, carpet replacement, carpentry, plumbing, electrical and other trade skills that can be extremely valuable on a maintenance team.

Interview Process-
When interviewing applicants for a property management in Columbia SC maintenance team managers should be able to conduct a skills assessment to ensure the team member will be able to complete the duties of their job. Skills assessments can be a verbal interview asking for steps to fixing a clogged drain, paint a living room, or other tasks your team will be completing, and can also be created on a computer as a formal test. In addition to the applicant’s trade skills, property managers should also be interviewing for on-call availability, great customer service skills, and time management ability.

Maintenance Supervisors-
One of the most valuable positions a property manager can hire for is a maintenance supervisor. This person should have extensive experience in trade skills, maintenance, and team management. The Maintenance Supervisor can oversee scheduling of the team, managing maintenance requests from tenants, and leading move-out procedures to restore a home post-tenant; as well as helping to interview, hire, and train new crew members.

Having a great maintenance team will have multiple benefits for property management in Columbia SC including keeping the property in pristine condition and keeping tenants in their homes and happy. Both scenarios are profitable for investors.

If you are looking for a property management team with professional maintenance, call
Auben Realty of the Midlands
at .

Property Management Companies in Columbia SC |How to Get Good Deals on Investment Properties

Property prices have been skyrocketing for the last decade and good real estate deals are harder and harder to come by, especially if you are looking to use the properties as rentals. With rent rising, now is the best time to get into the market and make a profit, if you can secure low-interest rate loans on great deals. Luckily, the property management companies in Columbia SC may have some tips and tricks that can help you find the best investment deals for your rental business.

Look Out of Town-
If you live in a big city and are only looking at properties around you, those real estate market will make you cringe. Home values are rising, and inventory is at an all-time low in many places around the country as people stay put amidst the COVID 19 pandemic. One thing that investors can do is check out the smaller towns and regions within a few hours of their home base if they want to stay close to their properties. Some investors have even been looking in other states like South Carolina where property management companies in Columbia SC can take their business off their hands and handle all the nitty gritty while owners are hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Do not Rely on the MLS-
Working with a realtor can be easy, but there are a lot of homes that are For Sale by Owners and not listed on Zillow or realestate.com. Make sure to check platforms such as Craigslist and even Facebook Marketplace for properties that are for private sale. This is also a great place to find investment properties for a low price that need renovations before habitation.

Have Your Preapproval Ready-
Deals go fast and you must be ready to strike with your offer as soon as you see the advertisement. Having a preapproval letter handy from your bank or mortgage company will help you be at the top of the list for accepting offers.

Owners and investors can also partner with property management companies in Columbia SC to be on the lookout for properties that are going up for sale. Most companies work with multiple owners and can often be vital in networking between owners to unload and pick up new properties quickly, all while still relying on the same property manager!

If you are ready to talk to a property manager and get the process started, call
Auben Realty of the Midlands
at .

Property Management Services Columbia SC | South Carolina Squatters Rights

One of the worst nightmares for owners and property management services Columbia SC is tenants who do not leave or refuse to leave after their lease is up. When people occupy a home, they are not supposed to live in, they are referred to as “squatters.” These squatters are not only people who might stay after the lease is up, but also people who break in, or friends that were not on the lease who try to stay after the original lessors move out.

Some people believe that squatters can get lawful possession of a home through a loophole called adverse possession which allows legal ownership of a property without having to provide payment under certain conditions. However, each state has their own laws, often called “squatters rights” that govern how these situations are handled.

Squatter’s Rights, Should I be Worried?

Squatters must occupy a home or property lawfully for more than 10 years before they can claim ownership of the property and get a deed or title in their name. These situations are unique to abandoned properties or properties that have been unclaimed through inheritances or other circumstances.

Squatter’s rights in South Carolina are not applicable to homes that are owned by someone or under contract with property management services Columbia SC. Investors may have to deal with tenants from time to time that do not want to leave after their lease is up, or when they are being evicted, but these folks are not squatters.

Property management services Columbia SC owners trust and work with regularly are adept at handling the legal side of evictions and tenants that violate their leases. These processes are often burdensome for owners, and a good property manager will be able to handle things from start to finish without the owner ever needing to come to court in most cases.

If you are ready to talk to a property manager and get the process started, call
Auben Realty of the Midlands
at .

Property Management Companies in Columbia SC | How to Make Carpet Last In Rental Homes

Property management companies in Columbia SC understand the burden of needing to purchase and replace carpeting with every moveout, and the strain it puts on investors. Between the price of materials, the cost of labor, and the time it takes away from being able to re-rent a home, carpet replacement can really put a dent in an investor’s budget for property maintenance. Luckily, there are a few ways you can make carpets last longer so that they do not need to be replaced every time!

Tips for Rental Carpet Care

Carpets are easy to damage and get dirty but property management companies in Columbia SC can take certain steps to make reduce the damage and keep carpets in good shape longer.

Hard Surfaces at Entryways- Many homes have carpeting in the rooms that contain exit doors. It is common for living rooms, sitting rooms, or foyers to have carpet; however, consider a hard surface for just in front of the entry. Tile, laminate, or hardwood flooring in front of the doors to create a 5’ x 5’ landing area will help reduce the amount of dirt, water, grass, and grime that is dragged into the house on your shoes from the outside.
Complimentary Carpet Cleaning- At least once per year, offer a free deep carpet clean to your renters. They will appreciate the above and beyond service, clean carpets, and property management services in Columbia SC will reap the benefits of reduced carpet replacements! This is a win-win for everyone involved!
Consider the Type of Carpet- There are many different types of carpeting. Some have longer fibers, others are denser, and there are even carpets that are moisture wicking and stain resistant! Carpeting such as polypropylene fiber carpet is the most popular, easiest to clean, and affordable. Nylon Frieze and nylon are also very durable and easy to clean.
Provide a Vacuum- Some property managers will go as far as to provide every home with its very own vacuum cleaner. This way, residents are guaranteed to have one on hand during move-in, which is often one of the messiest times. A vacuum cleaner will cost less than carpet replacement!

Keeping carpets clean and looking brand new can be difficult. Sometimes, no matter what precautions you take, carpet replacement will be inevitable. A property manager can help ensure the likelihood of replacement is reduced.

If you’re looking for property management in Columbia SC,
call Auben Realty
at .

Property Management Companies in Columbia SC | Average Price for Rentals in Columbia SC

One of the most important things real estate investors in Columbia need to determine is how much they will charge for rent on their properties. The amount you charge for rent should be competitive with the market rental rates of the area but also be more than enough to cover the mortgage, taxes, maintenance, and the services of property management companies in Columbia SC.

While many other factors also go into pricing rent, such as the size and condition of the home, nearby amenities, and recent upgrades, a good place to set your baseline, would be what is the average price of a rental in Columbia. Property management companies in Columbia SC track this information diligently so they can apply their knowledge to the owner’s portfolio.

Why
Property Management Companies in Columbia SC Would Help You:

Average Apartment Rent in Columbia SC
ranges from $812 to $1,100 depending on if you are renting a studio apartment or up to three bedrooms. Student housing can be more expensive as the rental rates are usually on a per bedroom basis which can skyrocket the price for an entire apartment or house.

Average Rent for a Single Family Home in Columbia
is around $1,200 with some homes renting for upwards of $1500-$2,000 and others staying closer to $900-$1000 per month to rent depending on bedrooms, bathrooms, and amenities.

The cost of living in Columbia is lower than the national and state averages with housing coming in incredibly more affordable with a rating of 59.1 compared to the US rating of 100. Transportation in Columbia is also more affordable which makes the area quite attractive for families, new young professionals, and first-time homebuyers looking to live in an up-and-coming area near the coast.

Columbia is also a college community which means the area is prime for renters and investors looking to partner with property management companies in Columbia SC to offer high-quality, affordable single-family housing with multiple bedrooms.

If you are looking for professional property managers to help you make the most of your rental property investments in Columbia,
Call Auben Realty of the Midlands
at .

Property Management Companies in Columbia SC | Should Tenants Be Allowed Swimming Pools?

One of the toughest decisions property management companies in Columbia SC must help owners make is whether to allow renters to set up swimming pools in the backyard. In South Carolina, some homeowners keep their pool going all year round and renters in single-family homes often want to enjoy their own private swimming pool as well. However, swimming pools can be a significant risk for property owners and there are several factors that you will need to consider with property management companies in Columbia SC.

Why You Should Let Tenants Have Swimming Pools

There are two reasons to let tenants have swimming pools—to make your property more attractive, and to charge more in rent. Depending on the type of renter you are targeting, swimming pools can be an effective draw for communities where you can increase rent for the luxury amenities. Swimming pools are hit and miss with families who might think the pool is a safety hazard; however, younger millennials and generation Z renters will love swimming pools with decks they can entertain on in the backyard and they will be willing to pay extra for it.

Why You Should Not Let Tenants Have Swimming Pools

The property management companies in Columbia SC will warn you that allowing tenants to have swimming pools can be a risk. Not only can swimming pools to a lot of damage to the yard, lawn, and property if they overflow or leak; they can put you at legal risk if an accidental drowning happens on the property. When the tenant moves out, they may not take down the pool ahead of time and the property maintenance crew will have to find a way to deal with it
and
restore the lawn beneath.

If you are considering allowing renters to have swimming pools, it is best to purchase rental properties that already have swimming pools installed. This way you know that the installation is done properly, the swimming pool will add value to the home rather than diminishing it, and professional pool maintenance can be called as needed.

If you need a property manager who can help you navigate the tough decisions, call
Auben Realty
at

Property Management Companies in Columbia SC | 3 Tips for Rental Property Investing

Everyone who ventures into rental property investing and starting property management companies in Columbia SC wants to be successful and get a substantial return on their investment. However, you don’t start out investing by buying the first vacant home you can find, slapping a rental price on it, and listing it on Craigslist as a rental property. The best investors understand that investments need to be intentional with a lot of detailed planning and forethought about the future of the investment.

Three Tips from
Property Management Companies in Columbia SC
:

If you are looking to make wise and financially attractive investing decisions for rental property investing, consider these three tips.

Invest in Single Family Homes
. When comparing condos to single-family homes, the condos will lose every time for many reasons. Single-family homes attract renters who want to stay rooted somewhere and will be long-term renters. These renters are reliable and can help your portfolio expand quickly because there is less risk in losing the rental income or having hiccups in the cash flow.
Location, Location, Location
– You want to choose properties for your property management companies in Columbia SC that will attract high-quality tenants, garner the top of the market rent for value, and be in high demand for tenants so the home is never vacant and there is no disruption to the rent collection process. Prime locations are also perfect for investing because of the upward trajectory of home prices.
Don’t Choose a Fixer-Upper-
Rental property investing with property management companies in Columbia SC is much different than flipping houses. When you invest in rental properties you remain the owner of the property rather than selling it to another investor. Because you are remaining in ownership, a better investment is a home that will not need significant repairs over the next ten years and will retain its value with warranties still intact.

Established property management companies in Columbia SC can guide you through more best investment practices to ensure the homes you are investing in as rentals will have the maximum return on your investment.

If you are interested in discussing property management, call
Auben Realty
at .