All Forum Posts by: Sarah Rosko

Hi everyone,

I'm curious to know if any property managers here send feedback forms to tenants after they've moved out. If so, I’d love to hear what types of questions you include in the form.

Do you focus on the condition of the property, the move-out process, or any other aspects of the tenant experience? Are there any key questions that you’ve found particularly helpful for getting constructive feedback?

Thanks in advance!

Hi Tod, we use Furnished Finder to gather leads, and once we receive a truly interested lead, we have them complete an application through Buildium, our management software. Buildium streamlines the process by generating screening reports for us. Once the application is approved, we use Buildium to create a lease and email it to the tenant for electronic signing. After both parties sign the lease, the tenant receives an email prompting them to log in to their portal and pay their balance. This setup helps simplify the workflow while ensuring all necessary steps are covered efficiently.

Yes, our property management company handles STR, MTR, and LTR units. We're based in Indianapolis, and during the winter months, we transition some of our STRs to MTRs to try and keep up occupancy rates. We use Furnished Finder to list our MTRs and typically attract traveling healthcare professionals as tenants. Most of our properties are located near downtown hospitals, making them an ideal choice for these renters. We've found that traveling healthcare professionals are typically great tenants—responsible, clean, and reliable.

I agree with many others—do not accept any partial payments. Accepting even a small amount can complicate the eviction process and potentially delay your ability to terminate the lease in court. I believe it’s best to stick to your full rent payment terms and follow through with the proper notice and legal process.

Hi Andy, 

We use Breezeway to conduct both move-in and move-out inspections for each new tenant/lease. Before a tenant moves in, we send a team member to the property to inspect each room and take photos. Breezeway allows us to easily organize all photos by room and generate a downloadable document for reference.

Once a tenant moves out, we follow the same process to document the property's condition and determine if any amount needs to be withheld from the security deposit.

Additionally, we require new tenants to complete and return a move-in inspection document within 3 days of moving in. This form allows them to note any pre-existing damages and accept the unit as-is.

Hi! We don’t currently track utilities or energy use in our MTRs. To research the market, we look at other Furnished Finder listings in the area to help determine competitive rental rates. Most of our MTR properties are located in Indianapolis, and the majority of our tenants are traveling healthcare professionals. We’ve found that allowing pets and providing an in-unit washer and dryer are key amenities that help attract guests. For property management, we use Buildium. OpenPhone has been a great tool for communicating with property owners, vendors, and generic main office phone calls. 

Hi! In our rental agreements, we use the security deposit to cover any damages once the lease has ended. After the tenant moves out, we send someone to inspect the property for any damages, including furnishings like a broken vase. If we find damages, we withhold the necessary amount from the security deposit to cover repair or replacement costs. This process is outlined in our lease agreement to ensure transparency with tenants.

I work for a property management company in Indianapolis, and in our practice, we only charge a monthly management fee when rent is being collected. If the unit is vacant, we don’t charge a monthly fee.

For situations like yours, where the house needed extermination and other prep work, we would typically only bill for the costs directly related to the work or services provided, not a standard monthly management fee.

Your expectations aren’t unreasonable—getting the house rented ASAP is a valid priority!

Thanks for the feedback, Theresa. You make an excellent point about how certain issues may not become apparent until the tenant has lived in the property for a while, and that’s completely understandable. 

Hi, as others have said, it depends on what your lease agreement states. In our case, our lease specifies that if a tenant wants to break the lease early, they are required to pay three months’ rent as a penalty and forfeit their security deposit.

This approach helps cover the costs of finding a new tenant and any potential loss of income while the property sits vacant. I’d recommend reviewing your lease terms and following what’s outlined there to ensure you're on solid legal ground.