Existing lease/property management company question

[Joe Miller]

Hi Everyone,

   I have been reading through the forums a ton trying to find some information about this but I haven't really had any luck. I am getting ready to close on a duplex this month. I will occupy the one unit but the other has an existing tenant/lease. Before I close I am trying to determine if I can legally get rid of the management company and take over management myself or if I have to wait until the lease expires to do so. (Keep the lease just change where the payments/phone calls etc are made to)

The owner is an out of state investor who is difficult to get a hold of but the listing agent emailed me the following, " There is no term between the owner and the management company and you are able to take up managing the property directly after closing if you choose to do so. Deposits will also be transferred if that's what you choose to do" 

My concern is the lease is stated as follows, "This Contract shall be deemed as a Tenant lease Contract by and between XXXX Property Management , ”Owner” or “Landlord”, which is a business entity of limited liability status, and XXXX (Tenant)" I am concerned that despite there being no agreement between the owner and the management company it seems like the lease is between the management company and the tenant. 

Does anyone have any experience or insight with this? I want to be sure I am not doing anything wrong by taking the agent at her word. The management company's 10% fee doesn't make or break anything for me but being I am right next door I would really prefer to self manage if possible/legal.

Thanks!