All Forum Posts by: Angie Swader

 I am managing a property where this exact thing happened.  Previous tenant tore the place up, investor did not want to do repairs was more worried about lost rent.  I do not think they screened properly either.  (Only been working with them since May.) Now they are looking at the new resident of two years doing the exact same thing.  She's allowed a water leak to go for over year without reporting it, now there is extensive water and mold damage.  Thank goodness they allowed me to call in a plumber to fix the spigot (it only took two months to get approval.)  I am trying to train these folks so they don't lose their property.  It's almost $500 below market rent.  What a mess and I get to clean up!  I earn every penny of the $50/month they pay me to manage this place.  

If your lease didn't specify who was in charge of landscaping then no you should not charge.  Bushes grow.  

However, if you told them landscaping was their concern and they signed on the dotted line that they understood, then yes charge them.  It's all in how you worded your lease agreement.  

However, you have to justify normal wear and tear vs. damaged items.  Be careful.  Have your receipts for repairs charged and be prepared to prove your charges should they or their attorney question you.

I change locks every time a resident moves in or out of one of my units.  If she thinks someone has a key, they probably do.  She probably gave it to them and is now regretting it.  I had this happen to a lady who moved in without her estranged husband.  Suddenly he's at her condo all the time.  Next thing I know she is asking for an emergency lock change because she "lost" her keys.  I asked her if her husband got a copy and she said yes that's why she wanted them changed.  I thankfully have a resident who is a locksmith and I keep extra locks with my tools.  She paid him for his time and I supplied the lock for free.  Unfortunately, she's allowed her loser to come back again.  I'm not planning on  renewing her lease.

I work for an HVAC company (besides being a property manager) and I concur with the others who said get a second opinion.  There could be a problem with the equipment compatibility or the stat.  Also, blown in insulation is a cheap solution for these kinds of problems.  Less than $1.50 a square foot here in California.  But it makes old houses feel so much better. 

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome.  I look forward to getting to know everyone better and learning a lot from these forums and the professionals on here.

I think I shocked them when I announced I was studying to get my real estate license earlier this year.  I think they've often thought of me as just their property manager who does this so she can stay home with her kids, so maybe not taken too seriously.  So now they are seeing me in a new light.  Perhaps they will give me more to do and maybe even work with me when I prove myself to them a little more. 

Thanks for the suggestion.  I spent most of the day at work listening (not watching, listening only) to the AskBP podcast.  Of course some of it I will want to listen to again when I have less phone calls and appointments to schedule (aka interrupt) me.  My favorite one today was the one where you recommended business and real estate books.  So I did a quick youtube search and found Rich Dad Poor Dad and the 4 Hour Work Week both on audio.  Now I'm torn, do I listen to them or do I continue listening to the podcasts I started today.  So much to learn, so little time.

You are in a wonderful place to get started.  Wow and welcome!

I'm new on BP. I am an on-site manager 25 units plus also assist with managing 7 additional SFR. I'd be happy to weigh in and answer your questions.

Hello my name is Angie and I have been an on-site property manager for 14 years.  I am currently studying to get my real estate license.  I want to invest in fix and hold properties and be my own landlord someday.  I'm also married have kids and am working three jobs.  I work as an on-site manager, a real estate assistant (property manager assistant since I'm unlicensed,) and a receptionist at a HVAC company two days a week.  I often hear on the biggerpockets podcast how much trouble people have with property managers.  I hope to change that perception.  I have been at my current property almost 7 years.  I love it and my neighbors.  The investors I work for love their properties too.  They take care of problems and usually refuse to cut corners on repairs.  All in all it's been a great situation.  The rental market is tight in my neighborhood and I usually re-rent units within a couple of days of vacating.  I often work from a waiting list.  If you have property management concerns or questions, send me a message and I will be happy to weigh in with some advice.