We recently took on two new accounts from owner/landlords who discovered the hard way that you can't manage a rental unit in California as if you were the person living in it.

Here's what I mean: 

As a homeowner, you might put off repairs for years, but when you're renting out a unit in California, your tenants have rights you may not be aware of. In both of these cases, the new tenants were promised verbally that adjustments and repairs would be made, but the promises were never fulfilled.

One property had the owner's furniture and junk left in the backyard.   

In another instance, personal items were left in a storage unit with a key that not only opened it but also the front door of the home.

This tenant later found out a neighbor had a key to the storage unit as well, meaning they had access to the home.   She found out when the neighbor without her permission accessed the storage unit with the same key she had.

Another owner bought a duplex with existing tenants.  

When one of the tenants gave notice, they suggested a friend to move in.   So the owner rented to this friend without any vetting process. 

It gets worse.   In both cases, the landlords used rental forms with clauses not allowed under California law and left properties in substandard conditions, with issues like non-working heaters, missing stove knobs, and vermin infestations.

These owners reached out to us for help managing their rentals when their tenants stopped paying rent.   One had gone six months without rent and ended up paying the tenant $3,000 to leave after an eviction attempt. 

The other owner faces code enforcement issues, which will require the tenant to move out while extensive repairs are made.  He also needs to come up with $6,000 to help the tenant relocate.

The takeaway?

If you don’t have the time or expertise to manage your rental investment effectively...? Then please hire a professional property management company. 

A professional can: 

ensure you comply with all landlord/tenant laws, 

• keep track of your income and expenses, 
• and have access to reliable vendors like plumbers, electricians, and HVAC contractors.
• and of course Landscape Maintenance contractors just to name of the trades we Property Managers interact with

Bottom line....?  In the long run, professional property management pays for itself. 

So unless you're ready to manage your rentals like a pro, you might want to give us a call to discuss your situation.