Property Manager Issues

[Clayton Maxon]

Hey everyone,

I have a situation I wanted to see if anyone else has experience dealing with. Our property manager for a long term rental has been awful with communication ever since we signed a the management agreement. Recently it has gotten worse. We have been trying to get on the phone to talk about a few non urgent questions. The PM didn't call us on our scheduled time two times, and then said we would be contacted on two other days but we heard nothing. We have professionally expressed our frustration with the lack of communication, but only received short answer responses. Our last three emails have been unanswered trying to reschedule and address the lack of communication. It has now been about two weeks without any response. 

We have received all the rent payments and luckily haven't had any urgent or high priority issues yet. The management agreement says the contract can only be terminated early if we pay out the remaining equivalent of monthly fees. Is the lack and almost nonexistent communication grounds for the PM voiding their part of the agreement? Would it be worth trying to get out of the agreement early without paying those management fees or would it be better to just ride out the remaining 6 months and find a new PM at that point?

Thanks for reading!

[Erin Dreher]

I would start looking for another property manager. I would voice your frustration with the lack of communication with who ever you decide to go with...set up a reasonable set of expectations up front. Sometimes a property management company will allow you to terminate early without paying those termination fees. Try to actually speak with supervisor/owner and let them know their lack of communication has been unacceptable. 

*look for a mom and pop establishment that is fully staffed for your new PM