The Tenants Handbook: Understanding the Realities of Property Management
Living in a rental comes with its own set of joys and challenges. Leaky faucets, noisy neighbors, and the occasional maintenance issue, to name a few. This can be incredibly frustrating for tenants who entrust their homes to the hands of property management. This blog is here to bridge the gap between you and your property manager. We’ll tackle your common concerns, share practical solutions, and show you how we’re working behind the scenes to make your rental experience smooth sailing.
Searching for an experienced team to rent with? Palmetto State Properties is known for their ability to manage, market and maintain rental properties in the greater Charleston, SC area. Contact us today.
Common Challenges Tenants Face and How We Combat Them
Your property managers are here to help you navigate the ups and downs of rental living. We’re trained to stay calm and collected, even when things get a little hectic, and are committed to listening, communicating clearly, and finding solutions that work for you. So whether it’s a quick fix or a more complex issue, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Tenants can face many challenges. Here are some common tenant challenges and how we address them.
Maintenance and Repair Issues
When you alert us to a maintenance or repair issue, it’s important to let us know whether or not it’s an emergency requiring immediate attention. We respond quickly to all maintenance or repair requests, but in some cases, speed is of the essence to protect your safety, your belongings, and the property itself.
Be sure to give us a detailed description of what is going on so we can determine what kind of help you need. We maintain an extensive network of maintenance and repair specialists of all kinds. The more we know, the easier it will be to get the right expert out to take care of your problem.
Disagreement with Security Deposit Deductions
Tenants sometimes question deductions from their security deposit at the end of their tenancy. We may deduct unpaid rent or the cost of repairing damage that goes beyond normal wear and tear, but we will never deduct more than the actual cost.
If you disagree with what has been deducted and can provide evidence to support your position, we’ll gladly review the matter. It’s a good idea to take pictures or record the condition of the property on video both when you move in and when you move out. That’s the best way to identify conditions that already existed when you moved in and can help you avoid charges.
We occasionally are contacted by tenants who have moved out to let us know they have not received a refund check for their security deposit. Most often, this is because they have not provided a forwarding address. Or, they have unrealistic expectations as to how long the process can take, especially when repairs are required. At Palmetto State Properties we also offer the option of receiving your refund electronically to streamline this process.
It’s understandable that you might not have a new address by the time you move out of one of the properties we manage. Sometimes, renters relocating to another part of the country can’t make a home-hunting trip before moving, so they put their belongings in storage until they find a rental in the new area. Until they have signed a lease for their new home, they may not have a reliable forwarding address.
If this is the situation you find yourself in, be sure to give us a forwarding address as soon as possible. Once we know where to send your refund, you will receive it with an accounting for any deductions. Please allow us about 30 days from your move-out date to inspect, clean, and repair any damages to the vacated property and do the necessary accounting.
Trouble Paying Rent
An occasional late payment is often a simple matter of forgetfulness. That’s why leases are very explicit about rent due dates, late fees, and the consequences of nonpayment.
Tenants can also experience financial difficulties from job loss, divorce, serious illness, or the death of a breadwinner, among other reasons. If you find it difficult to keep up with your rent, it’s important to communicate with us about your situation as soon as possible.
We offer the option of paying with a credit card to help a struggling tenant get through short-term financial difficulties. Additionally, organizations such as local churches sometimes offer assistance with rent.
Noisy Neighbors
Noise complaints are one of the most common problems. When noisy neighbors are also tenants in a property we are managing, we can let them know that we have received a complaint and remind them of any relevant noise clauses in their lease. We can also inform them about local noise ordinances. Most municipalities have rules regarding how much noise is acceptable and certain hours during which residents have a right to relative quiet.
If the noisy neighbor is living in a property we don’t manage, it’s best for the complaining tenant to contact the local police department.
Accommodating Emotional Support Animals
Potential tenants with handicaps may be unaware of their rights regarding a landlord’s acceptance of an animal they rely on to provide them with services or emotional support. Most people know that service animals are not considered pets under federal legislation—specifically the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act. They must be permitted even in a “no pets” rental property.
But that doesn’t mean that tenants can simply claim that a beloved pet is a service or emotional support animal to get around the “no pets” rule. They need to have a doctor certify their animal as a service animal or emotional support animal and provide valid documentation.
We use a third-party company, http://PetScreening.com, to verify the status of purported service or emotional support animals as part of our routine screening process for prospective tenants.
Theft of a Tenant’s Belongings
All of our property owners require tenants to have renters insurance to protect them against financial loss if their rental property is burglarized. We advise tenants to create an inventory of their possessions with as much documentation as possible in the form of photos, videos, and receipts. (This will be important as substantiation of a loss from any covered cause, such as fire or a severe weather event, not only theft.)
In addition to filing a police report, the tenant should contact their insurance provider to get reimbursed for items stolen. Typically, a copy of the police report is required as evidence of the loss. We will rekey the locks at no cost to the tenant.
Unexpected Need to Terminate Lease Early
Life sometimes takes unexpected turns, and some of those unexpected turns may necessitate relocation. So, what can be done to minimize the financial impact of having to terminate a lease before the renewal date? Most property management companies simply charge a termination fee equal to two or three months’ rent.
We take a different approach. With the property owner’s approval, we can relist the property at the tenant’s request. Once a new lease is signed with a new tenant, the departing tenant will be released from their contract as of the start date of the new lease. The departing tenant is responsible for the rent until that date or the end of the lease, whichever comes first. There are fees associated with this option, but we have found that this option typically saves the tenant hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars versus having to pay a hefty termination fee.
How We Can Help You
Making sure your rental is running smoothly requires a team of professionals who know what they are doing and care. Your property managers are here to assist you in navigating the ins and outs of life as a renter to help ensure your safety and security. We meticulously manage the physical aspects of your home, serve as an in-between for your property owner and you, handle all the administrative tasks, and make sure the property’s financial health stays optimal so you have a safe, warm place to live.
While the level of service we provide may vary depending on your landlord’s chosen plan, our commitment to professionalism, responsiveness, and tenant satisfaction remains constant. See more of what we do day-in-day-out here in this blog.
Rent With Palmetto State Properties Today
Rest assured, your well-being is our top priority. We have a team of experienced professionals dedicated to maintaining your rental property to the highest standards. Should any issues arise, our experienced staff want nothing more than for you to be well taken care of. If you are looking for a place to live where your property management cares or you are a tenant with questions, you can contact us today.
