Property mgmt fees question

[Steven Mitchell]

Hello,

We recently bought a property we need to be managed.  When signing the contract, we noticed they charged 10% of gross and 50% when they find a new lease, which we agree with.  However, if we fire them before a year is up, we owe them 675$.  When asked about this, they said its because they usually charge 100% of the lease fee, so if we fire them they need to recoup that.

Is that a standard provision?  I feel like this is giving them all the leverage, so if things go south I wont fire them due to stiff financial penalties.  But we also dont want to be unreasonable.  

If they dont work out, what 5 questions would you ask a property management company to vet them?  If we have to find another.  

Steve