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Property Manager |Tenants have hundreds of excuses for why they can’t pay rent or can only make a partial payment. When you only accept cash, check, or money order for rent payments tenants find it easy to try to haggle their way into an extension on rent. When you accept online rent payments from tenants, they start to run out of excuses for why they can’t pay rent on time. There are certain excuses that online portals help to squash.

1. Money Related Excuses-Tenants will tell you dozens of different stories about why they didn’t have the money for rent. From other bills being too high to a child or family member falling ill, or the government being late on payments, a tenant that doesn’t have the money will want you to empathize. Online portals help tenants to manage their money better because they can make small payments throughout the month to try to get ahead after their rent is paid and they can track their rent through their online account.

2. Transportation-Related Excuses-The check got lost in the mail. The money order got wet in the mailbox. My car broke down, and I couldn’t’t make it into the office. It’s snowing outside, and the roads are bad. Tenants who rely on someone physically taking their rent payment to another location can always use transportation as an excuse. Online rent payments make it easy for tenants to pay from the comfort of their home or even from their phone while on the go.

3. Confusion on Due Dates-Some tenants will tell a property manager that the reason they are late on rent is that they were confused on the due dates, rent amount, or any other fees that they owe. This is a common excuse for new tenants especially. Online rental portals can send reminders to tenants about when rent is due and how much the tenant owes. Paying rent online and having a tenant account eliminates confusion on the details of rent.

If you are ready to take your rental property business to a new level with a property manager that can manage rentals contact Scott Properties.

When a property manager is showing homes, they need to be prepared to answer common questions that prospective tenants will have regarding the property and the property manager business. When you can’t answer common questions, tenants have their trust in your property management company drops. Before you show another rental home make sure you can answer the following questions:

1. What is the rent, deposit, pet deposit, and application fees?

2. What lease terms do you offer? Can I get a discount for signing a longer lease?

3. What is your pet policy?

4. What do you look for on the application? How are tenants screened?

5. When is the soonest available move in date?

6. How many other applications do you have for this home?

7. What is your subleasing policy? What happens if I have to move for my job?

8. Can I list my home on Air BNB when I am not staying there?

9. What happens if we need to break our lease?

10. After my lease do I renew or go month to month?

11. Do you give notice before entering the home after I move in?

12. Is off-street parking available? What are the parking arrangements?

13. What is the crime rate in the area? Has a crime ever been committed in this home?

14. Can I paint, put up shelves or hang artwork inside the home?

15. Are any utilities included?

16. Who is responsible for lawn care and snow removal?

17. How much notice do we need to give if we do not want to renew our lease?

18. Can I plant a garden or do landscaping?

19. Can we put a pool in the backyard?

20. How do we pay rent?

21. Do we get our deposit back after we move out? How long does it take?

22. Are we required to purchase renter’s insurance?

23. What is the late fee and grace period for paying rent?

24. What school district does this home fall into?

25. What are the nearby churches/grocery stores/ department stores/ gas stations etc.

A great property manager will be able to answer all of these questions and be prepared for odd or unusual ones as well. If you are interested in learning more about Scott Properties, contact us Here.

Charleston Property Management |One of the most nerve-wracking days a property manager has is when they go into a rental home for the first time after a tenant moves out. We have no idea what to expect and hope that the tenant took care of their home. One way to ease this stress is to ensure that the tenants in your rental homes are responsible adults and will leave home is an excellent condition. While there’s not much you can do about normal wear and tear, use these three tips to help ensure your tenants will take care of their rentals.

1. Screen Tenants-As a property manager, the essential part of your job is screening tenants. You can’t let anyone with a deposit move into a home. You need to make every potential tenant fill out an application and perform a credit and background check, verify employment and income and call the references. Tenants should make a least three times the rent amount in income and show they are responsible through a steady employment history and good credit.

2. Have a Detailed Lease-The lease for the rental home needs to be detailed so that tenants know what is expected of them and what the consequences are for not taking care of the home. Make sure you include rules about trash/garbage accumulation, smoke detectors remaining in working order, upkeep of the home, and pets if applicable. You should also include the move out inspection form that you will use to determine if the tenant will get their deposit back so that they can make sure to have everything completed before handing over the keys.

3. Do Inspections-A property manager that performs inspections on rental homes generally see homes being better maintained because the tenant expects the landlord to check up on them. Schedule an inspection every six months and at lease renewal time. Do not allow tenants to renew their lease if they do not pass their inspection. You can also charge lease violation fines if needed. Just make sure that the rules about inspections and violations are spelled out in the lease.

If you are ready for a qualified Charleston property manager to talk to you about your rental home, contact Scott Properties today.

Charleston Property Management |Anyone who has ever considered coastal living should be looking to Charleston, South Carolina first. The iconic city is significant to American history being founded in 1670 and holds onto those traditional roots while also embracing a thriving metropolitan vibe that people all over the United States have fallen in love with. Charleston may even have more awards than any other city in the country including accolades from Travel + Leisure Magazine, Forbes, Fodor’s, Conde Nast, Huffington Post, Business Insider, and the Wall Street Journal among many others.

All these awards aren’t the only reason you should consider moving to Charleston, however. Rental property management in Charleston is available to make your move comfortable and convenient if you are renting a home rather than purchasing. With 28 new people moving to Charleston each day, rental property management in Charleston is the best way to ensure you lease the perfect rental before someone else does.

Charleston is growing at three times the population of the rest of the United States on average and many of the 28 people moving here every day are well educated, young, new to the workforce adults who as created a growing labor force at four times the U.S. average. Charleston is in the top 50 of fastest-growing metros in the country and the place to be for young millennials and the next generation of college graduates.

Property Management in Charleston companies has a variety of homes for rent in Charleston ranging from new and modern, to rustic and historical. When you decide to move to a city like Charleston, partnering with a company that knows the region and can get you exactly what you are looking for is always the best option for a smooth transition. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy the fantastic beaches, eclectic art scene, vibrant history, sunny weather, and lower taxes without worrying if you made the right decision in where you live.

If you’ve fallen in love with Charleston, South Carolina, let our property managers help you find the perfect rental for you and your family. Contact Scott Properties today.

Charleston Property Management companies need to grow to stay in business and keep turning a profit and attracting new property owners is the most crucial part of the process. There are three essential things that Charleston property management needs to do if they want to gain new rental property owners as fast as possible.

1. Show How Unique Your Property Management Company Is

Rental property owners who are looking for Charleston property management need to show how they stand out from the competition. What do you offer that other companies in Charleston do not? Build yourself a solid reputation, especially online and through social media, but also focus on what makes your business unique.

2. Show A Commitment to Growth and Profit 

A rental property manager is making a significant investment in Charleston property management, and they need to know your company is willing to capitalize on that investment. Stay on top of new market trends in property management and show that your company is adaptable and open to change and growth. Be prepared to answer questions about your business growth and where you see your Charleston property management company going in the next two to five years.

3. Show that you Care

A rental property owner is trusting your company to take care of large investment, and they want to know that you care about their business as much as they do. Create an online portal for owners to be able to track their account and see what their rental property is costing them vs. what their profit is. You should also keep owners updated with reports of maintenance, tenant issues, financial statements, and any other relevant information about the rental property.

Are you a property owner looking for the best Charleston property management company? Contact Scott Properties today and find out how they can help you make the most of your rental business.