Written policies are necessary when you add employees to aid with training or enforcement of standards.I would focus on adding doors to your management company.

@Kieran Collings - I'm an investor, flipper, and own and run a local property management company.  

Latest is prop 33.  3rd attempt to pass this with aids health foundation having spent mid $40m last I looked.  

Absent them, risk is controllable over time.I self manage a SFH in the Bay Area in a very pro-tenant city (some cities are a little less pro-tenant than others).

I’m in the process of managing 18 units and have a full-time job.

Try interviewing at least three managers.1.

Try interviewing at least three managers.1.

@Dwight HenningRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

One of the most important steps you can take as either a startup landlord or seasoned one is to use a platform specific to property management as it will elevate your operation and save you tons of time.The good news is that nearly every software designed for landlords includes these features.

Try interviewing at least three managers.1.