There has been a considerable increase in investing in rental properties in the past few years. This has been primarily influenced by the increased returns of rental properties. While it is true that rental properties have guaranteed returns, this only applies when they are appropriately managed. People will assume that all it takes to start getting rent is buying the best property available and advertising it in the right circles. Managing a rental property is unfortunately far from being this easy.
Foregoing the services of a professional property management company in Salt Lake City or other locations might be the biggest mistake you can make when investing in rental property. This company will handle some of the primary aspects, which will determine the profits you will reap from your property.
Here are some of these aspects:
Rent Collection
Without the right mechanisms in place for the collection of your rent, you will lose a lot of money when renters pay you in cash or into accounts you cannot consolidate. The establishment of a rent collection method is essential to keep track of your tenants and your collected money. You can opt to collect your rent online, via mail, at a drop-off location, in cash. The ideal choice for your rent collection will depend on the distance between your rental units, the number of tenants, and the number of units you have.
Lease Agreements
The lease contract will contain the terms between you and your tenant and is a legally-binding document, which you can use to get recourse in court in case something goes wrong. That said, you should ensure that the wording and terms used in your lease agreement are favorable for you and the tenant and that your document is legally enforceable.
The legal requirements for a lease continually change, and it is generally impossible for you to keep up. Property management companies have lawyers who can draw the lease and protect your interests.
Tenant Screening
You cannot afford to rent your property to just anyone looking for a place. Many landlords have had to part with hefty fines and even served jail time because they rented out their properties to fugitives. Tenant screening is essential to ensure that you have crucial information about your renter. This not only protects you from legal issues but also helps you determine if your potential tenant is fit for your property.
Managing Tenant Complaints
The best way to get a 100% occupancy is to manage your tenants’ complaints promptly. It might be difficult to do this as an individual, but not so for a property management company with enough workforce at its disposal. The company will come up with plans of solving your tenants’ issues, and therefore, boost their odds of renewing their lease and putting in a good word for you to potential tenants.
The above elements prove that there is nothing easy as managing a rental property. While you might look at the costs of hiring the services of a property management company as a loss or an additional expense, the returns this decision guarantees make it a good investment. The company will also advise you on how to expand your rental property portfolio and increase your revenue base.
