What Is The Role Of Property Managers? How Do They Assist You?

Property managers are responsible for the effective management of residential and commercial properties. This includes pricing, marketing, filling vacancies, dealing with tenants, and overseeing maintenance.

Suppose you are considering a career in property management or hiring a property manager to handle your rental properties. In that case, it makes sense to understand a property manager’s many duties and responsibilities. 

Residential property management refers to the real estate industry, where rental properties are leased and rented. Professionals in this industry work on behalf of rental property owners, providing services to both tenants and property. This involves signing rental agreements and collecting rent on behalf of landlords, but questions remain.” What else do property managers do?”. 

How does a property manager work?

Property managers have to deal with everything that goes on in a rental property daily. They must have experience in the area that the rental property belongs to, such as commercial buildings or apartments.

The property manager then manages the rents, tenants, maintenance, budgets, and documentation of the rental property to ensure that the landlord’s goals are met. They must also be familiar with state and national laws on legal methods, such as tenant screening, security deposit management, terminations, evictions, and property safety compliance.

Rent Pricing

As real estate professionals, property managers are concerned with the value of a property. They determine the fair value of your property by surveying and assessing the site.

Moreover, they can correctly assess market trends and set rental prices based on current market conditions. They also know how to set a price that is not too high so as not to scare off potential tenants. We also know how not to price too low to avoid losing money.

Working with tenants

The property manager acts as a connection between the landlord and the tenant, handles all tenant-related issues, and represents the landlord. If a problem arises after the tenant moves in, the property manager is the first point of contact. A good property manager will handle most outgoing property transactions, from noise complaints to maintenance issues.

Write a good lease agreement

A well-prepared rental agreement is essential when renting a property, as it forms the basis for a good relationship between tenant and landlord.

Property managers can draft and customize lease agreements that are beneficial to both parties. It defines the terms and conditions, expected behaviour, procedures, and payment terms. Tenants can refer to the agreement and can easily comply with it.

Understanding of Agreement Law

Property management firms are subject to various laws, including federal, state, and local regulations. Understanding them is crucial to running a successful company.

These laws are well-known among experienced property managers. Most property management companies also provide in-house training to keep their employees updated.

For example, knowledge of the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 will help you choose your tenants correctly. This can help avoid legal problems and avoid asking potentially discriminatory questions of tenants.

• Do you attend a local church? Religion is a protected category, and asking questions about religion may constitute discrimination.
• Do you have a disability? Again, people with disabilities are protected persons. Asking this question may help the tenant understand that you are not renting to a person with a disability.

Knowledge of other laws is also helpful, such as security deposits, tenant evictions, lease terminations, and property safety standards.

Read also: 6 Basic Insurance for Your Home-Based Services

Coordination of Tenant Changes

The coordination of tenant changes is the responsibility of the property manager. In fact, the property manager is responsible for coordinating tenant moves. The property manager must inspect the rental property for damage after the last tenant leaves and arrange for cleaning and repair of damage before the new tenant moves in.

In some cases, the property manager will arrange for eviction if the tenant is causing problems. This means that you need to be aware of rental laws and have the courage to deal with them confidently.

Property Maintenance 

The property manager is also responsible for the maintenance of the property. This keeps the property in good condition and ensures the safety of the tenants. Maintenance includes investigating and resolving tenant complaints and enforcing tenant rules. They also check all vacant units, perform necessary maintenance and repairs, and coordinate the work of contractors. Note that in cold climates, essential maintenance may include snow removal.

Accounting and Budgeting

Budgeting and record-keeping are two areas where property managers may assist. This expert is in charge of balancing your costs so that you may generate a profit.

As a result, property managers frequently create budgets for the upkeep and upgrading of their clients’ rental properties.

Property managers can also assist you in keeping accurate records. Some of the things they might keep track of are insurance premiums, rental income, running costs, maintenance expenditures, maintenance records, maintenance requests, signed leases, and a list of all inspections.

Managing evictions and separations

In this case, managers are responsible for evicting tenants with difficulty. They know what they can do and how to do it legally.

When a tenant is about to leave, the manager must inspect the rental property. This ensures that everything is in order and that there is no damage to the property.

If there are no problems, the tenant is accepted to move out, and the deposit refund occurs. In case of damage, part of the deposit is refunded. The apartment is then cleaned and prepared for a new tenant to move in.

Dealing with tax issues

Finally, landlords may need the help of a property manager to file their tax returns. The property manager can complete the property tax returns themselves in some cases.

Bottom line

We hope this list of property manager duties has given you an idea of what is expected of this role. As you may have noticed, the duties of a property manager range from a few basic tasks to the overall management of a rental property. It’s fair to say that property managers need a wide range of skills and knowledge to manage rental properties successfully. 

Author Bio

Lily Poole is a Property and Home Insurance officer by profession. She has pretty well experience in the NYC Property insurance and accounting field and has an impressive profile in the training and development industry.