Calling Yourself The "Property Manager" or the "Owner"?

[Craig S.]

Hello,

I am wrestling with the idea on what to name by rental business, and what title to give myself in my newly formed company for rental property.

My goal is to build many rental properties and manage them myself. I have only 1 now.

I have seen many threads and posts about people designating themself as the "Property Manager" instead of calling themself the "Owner" to their tenants. I have went back and fourth on both methods. Here are some thoughts:

1) Property Manager Designation
If I call myself this, I feel that I will be deceiving my tenants. I like to speak the truth and while it may be easier and less confrontational to call myself just the Property Manager if a problem arises, I feel it will be not the truth.

I also want the tenant in most cases to know I am the decision maker whether it is for a problem/issue or not. I want the tenant to know that I mean business when I tell them something (like a rule, violation, etc). I don't mind telling a tenant how it is and being confrontational if I need to be. I like things done right and not playing the blame game.

2) Owner Designation
I like all things about calling myself the owner, and my tenants will know I am the decision maker. However, there are a few potential drawbacks. 1... I don't want any crazy tenants getting pissed at me and trying to come after me personally--coming to my personal home mad because I evicted them, charged a late rent fee, etc. 2... I also don't want them thinking that I am the wealthy owner and trying to take advantage of me by suing me, or anything else.

Also, what do you guys think about naming my company with my personal name, like if my name was John Smith -- calling my company "Smith Properties"? Do you think it would be best to have a totally separate business name, but still label myself as the owner?

I guess my main concern is privacy, and more importantly safety. I don't plan on buying war zone properties or having crazy tenants, but you never know what can happen. I just don't want a tenant getting mad at me because I have to evict them or something, then trying to come after me personally.

I would like to name my company after my last name like "Smith Properties" but this is a dead giveaway that I am the owner. If I name my business something like "Golden Properties" then it will appear more like a separate business and I can say that I am only part owner or that I need to check with my partner for decisions if I need to, that way all the blame wouldn't be on "me" in a tough situation.

What do you think?