Bad Property Manager in Baton Rouge

[Tamara Alston]

Our property management company, Alpha Realty, has changed hands twice and served us well over 30 years, taking care of one property in Baton Rouge. We live in Virginia. Lately, I have had to resort to calling the owner to get our rent checks sent to us. Recently she was 2 months behind, blaming it on a complicated printer/software issue. I got her to hand write those checks which caught us up. Then it started all over and she owes us for March, April, and May. She is ignoring all texts and I'm not sure her office is open any longer. I'm looking for the steps I need to take to report her, as in where. Is suing her my only option? I don't have an address nor am I sure of her last name, though I thought a real estate board could help there. I don't even know if she's collected rents at all, but I definitely know it's time to change property managers, so how do I find a good one so far away. The mortgage is paid off, but there are HOA fees. Citibank sold our mortgage to some squirrelly company. We never recieved the deed once it was paid off, and since this is the first property we've paid off, we don't know how to go about getting it. What a bunch of headaches! Sounds like we're stupid, but there have been a number of deaths and health issues keeping our attention elsewhere, and this was never a big problem before. I'd appreciate any direction, especially in Louisiana, which can have some different rules.

[Steve Rozenberg]

@Tamara Alston

Sorry for the challenges,

It is very important that you make sure you take the time to interview and have candid conversations with a PM company. Let them know your strategy, your goals and what your business plan is to ensure that your business plan aligns with theirs and you can both work towards the same goal. If they are not aligned then simply keep looking till you find one that is.I would look up NARPM and start with them..Below are some questions I would think would be a good starting point for you to see who really treats their company like a business or a hobby.

My business partner is a regional VP for NARPM and I am happy to help if you need anything please reach out

Questions to Ask prospective management companies

* What are your average days on market for vacant homes?

* What is your average rent amount for all properties managed?

* What is your average work order cost for the owner?

* What is your average make ready cost for the owner?

* Are all my invoices uploaded to my owner portal?

* How do you advertise your vacant units?

* Do I receive video of my pre and post make ready?

* Do you have a setup fee?

* Do you upcharge on maintenance?

* When do you make owner payments? How often?

* Are you a Certified Property Manager?

* Are you a member of NARPM?

* What is your Guarantee?

* Do you provide move in and move out reports

* How many pictures do you take of the property prior to tenant moves in and after the tenant moves out

* Do you get weekly reports when the property is vacant what prospective tenants are saying about your home

* Do you provide monthly newsletters to your tenants

* Do you hold investor education classes to help me become a better investor

* Do you have single point portfolio based management services?

* How many properties do the owners actually own themselves?

* What do you do to ensure that the tenant is responsible for security deposit disputes since that is the largest reason for owner lawsuits

* How familiar are you with the newly changed laws that can affect you the owner if they are not used correctly?