PM charges owner for rent court fees- normal?

[Nicole A.]

Is it typical for a PM to charge the property owner for rent court filing fees? This fee is added to the tenant's late rent due in the court filing, so if they pay, then I would get the money back. However, if it goes to eviction, I will not get the money back (and also accrue eviction fees). And this is assuming the tenant is someone placed by the PM. Is this typical practice?

[Christine Kankowski]

AS an owner of a property management company with only 1 eviction in 4 years, our policy is this:    WE will coordinate the eviction without additional fees, but the court fees, attorney fees, etc are the owner responsibility.   We are here to manage the property, not take over the liability and risk of the property.  That being said, we do what we can to place quality tenants in the property, because that creates less work for us in the long run and keeps the property in better condition as well. 

Its kind of like asking, if the tenant doesn't pay the rent, shouldn't the PM pay, since they put them in there?  Sorry but no. 

If they dont charge you extra fees to handle the extra work, you are in good shape.   

Best of luck for a smooth eviction.   :)