Evicting bad tenants should be rare. If you have a great screening process in place and you know how to interview people, you can place a tenant who will pay rent on time, take care of the home, and follow the terms of your rental agreement. However, bad things happen to good tenants. If your tenant is unable to meet their obligations, you may need to pursue an eviction. This process can be expensive and time consuming, especially if you aren’t sure what you’re doing. Even an innocent mistake can set you back months and cost you extra money. Try to avoid evictions when you can, and if you need to use the courts to remove a tenant, talk to an attorney or a property manager. Serving Notice When your tenant doesn’t pay rent, you must serve them with a notice demanding payment or vacancy. Usually, you’ll hear from your tenants at this point, and they might want to work out a payment arrangement or ask for a few extra days to catch up. If they don’t pay rent after the notice is posted, you will need to file an Unlawful Detainer lawsuit to evict them. Filing the Eviction in Court You’ll need to file your lawsuit in court, and wait for the tenants to be served with the Summons & Complaint. The tenants will have five days to respond, and you’ll either receive a summary judgment from the courts or you’ll have to attend an eviction hearing. When you win your eviction case, you’ll get a Writ of Possession, which entitles you to ask the sheriff to remove the tenants from the property and restore possession to you. Working with Professionals When it comes to evicting a tenant, we always recommend you seek professional help. We have two eviction protection plans at White Glove Property Management, and that will protect you in the event that a tenant needs to be removed. California tends to be a tenant-friendly state, and it’s easy to make an expensive mistake.
The tenant you place in your rental home will impact the kind of experience you have as a landlord. With a great tenant, you’ll earn consistent income, get the home back in great condition, and trust that the terms of the lease will be followed. With a bad tenant, you could end up suffering through the eviction process and paying for expensive property damage. Our approach to finding and placing tenants is a little different than other management companies, and we’re sharing that process today. Marketing Your Property Marketing and advertising your home is not rocket science. It’s honestly done the same way by most property management companies. We all do online marketing, take great pictures, and invest in professional yard signs. When you’re looking for someone to manage your property, understand that marketing is a commodity and not something that necessarily differentiates one management company from another. Screening Your Tenants Tenant screening, however, offers management companies like ours an opportunity to really differentiate ourselves. We do the general screening that everyone does; checking credit and completing a tenant background check. We verify income and check landlord references. We also interview the prospective tenants thoroughly. This is where the rubber meets the road. My background in the corporate world gave me the opportunity to learn how to talk to people. Based on a conversation, I can tell how cooperative and responsive a tenant will be. I ask questions and conduct interviews to see how tenants respond. If they’re quick and clear and willing to communicate, I know it’s a tenant worth pursuing. If they’re hesitant to cooperate or they try to dodge questions, I’ll know that it’s probably better to pass. White Glove Service Plans for Fullerton Property Management We guarantee every tenant we place. That means we’ll have a vested interest in placing a good tenant who is capable of performing well for you. If we have to replace a tenant we place, we’ll do so at no cost to the owner. Depending on your property and your level of comfort when it comes to risk, we offer two different plans to protect you against problem tenants and the threat of eviction: Platinum Service: When the tenant is no longer paying rent, we will pay you for up to two months of the rent. This protects your income while we deal with removing the tenant. Gold Service: If eviction is necessary, we will cover the costs of evicting the tenant we placed.
Successfully owning rental property requires you to identify the best possible partners to help your investment perform well. Instead of seeking out property management, you need to look for real estate asset management. That’s going to provide you a broader range of services with better outcomes. There are a number of things your management company should do for you. Today, we’re focusing on the top five things you need from your property manager. Real Estate Investing: Maximize ROI You probably don’t own rental properties just for fun. You want to make money, and your property manager should know how to do that for you. A good manager will understand the market and price your home correctly. You’ll need to be able to save money on maintenance and minimize your vacancy times and turnover costs. Property managers should find tenants who will pay rent on time, take care of your home, and renew their leases. If your property manager isn’t making recommendations on how to improve your property so it earns more and attracts better renters, you’re not getting the service you should. Reducing Risk and Sharing Liability Your property manager should also be managing your risk and keeping you in compliance. It’s easy for landlords to make innocent mistakes that quickly become fair housing lawsuits or security deposit claims in court. With the right property manager, you’ll be protected from costly errors and potential legal battles. Your manager will share the risk by managing the lease, inspecting your property, and taking care of your tenant. Advocating for Property Owners Managers serve both owners and tenants. However, the owner’s best interest should always be the priority when it comes to making decisions and taking action. We are here to make your rental property a successful investment. That means holding the tenants accountable and protecting your home. If your property managers own rental properties themselves, they will understand your needs. Exceptional Customer Service Good asset managers are responsive and available. Your manager should be accessible to you and have the tools and technology to deliver outstanding service. You want to feel comfortable leaving your investment in the hands of a manager, and the company you choose should focus on customer satisfaction. Real Estate Asset Management: Communication
