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Q: How are Rental Rates Determined?
A: We continuously monitor the market for current rental rates. There is no
benefit to overpricing a property, it will only lead to an extended vacancy.
Rental rates are determined by market demand and property condition.
We will recommend a fair market value range for your property that will
attract qualified tenants. If you think your property deserves a higher rate,
you can price it for the higher than competing properties to test the market
and see what the response is like. If the market agrees with your pricing it
will rent quickly. If your property gets very little interest or does not rent
out within a week or two, we will recommend to you that the rent be lowered.
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Q: How long will it take lease my property?
A: Leasing times vary depending on location and current market conditions.
Skyline Property Management has effective, targeted marketing to assist in
finding the best tenants, minimizing the vacancy period and maximizing your
returns.
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Q: What are your procedures and recommendations to prepare a property for rent?
A: After price, an important factor that tenants look at is the condition of the property.
First impression is extremely important so be sure that your property is in “Spic and Span”
condition. Walls should appear clean and freshly painted, carpets should be clean, free
of odor, tears, or loose areas. All appliances should be clean and in good working condition.
Extra attention needs to be paid to bathrooms and kitchen areas. Blinds to be cleaned or
replaced with new ones. Front and back yards should be landscaped and well maintained.
Skyline Property Management is a full service company and will provide supervision and
inspections to ensure that you are getting the most out of your renovation budget and
your property is rent ready at the highest possible rent. During the time when your
property is vacant for showing to prospective tenants please make sure you have regular
house cleaning at least every two weeks to ensure that the bathrooms are clean and the
property is free of dust and debris.
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Q: How are Security Deposits Handled?
A: We leave that up to the property owner. If it is held by Skyline, we place it into a
trust account until the tenant moves out and the deposit is returned to the tenant less
any appropriate deductions for rent owing, cleaning, damages, etc. By law, the security
deposit must be returned to the tenant within 21 days of them vacating with a complete
accounting of any deductions including copies of any receipts. If the property owner
holds the deposit, the deposit will need to be returned to Skyline in a timely manner
in order to properly returned to the tenant.
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Q: Do you Require Funds to Held in Reserve?
A: No, we do not require that any funds be held in reserve. In the event of
an unexpected event, the property owner will be contacted and a request for
immediate funds will be made. Skyline will not advance any funds for a property
repair. We do, however, recommend that property owners consider establishing a
reserve account that will build up over time to cover upcoming vacancy repairs,
maintenance, appliance replacement, taxes, or major improvements (i.e. new roof).
It can be set up to take out the same amount automatically each month.
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Q: Can you put the money directly into my account?
A: Yes, your monthly proceeds can be deposited directly into your bank account of choice.
All we need is your account number and bank routing number.
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Q: Do I get to see the lease or sign it?
A: Yes, you can request an advance copy of the lease to be sent to you to review.
If you would like to personally sign the lease, we can set you up with digital
signature to sign the documents online.
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Q: How long of a lease do you sign?
A: In most cases, the initial lease term is for one year. After that year is up,
the lease can be extended for another set term, or allow it to convert to a month-to-month contract.
All of the terms of the original lease still apply.
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Q: What happens if a tenant wants to break the lease?
A: Sometimes, due to unforeseen circumstances, a tenant may need to vacate
the property before the end of their fixed term lease. This is called a lease break.
Under these circumstances, the tenant is usually held responsible for the rent until
a new tenant can be located, along with any costs associated with re-leasing the property.
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Q: Do you do periodic inspections of the property?
A: As a complimentary service, Skyline will conduct periodic exterior inspections (drive-by)
on your property when a tenant is currently occupying the property. When it is vacant, we
will usually show your property to prospective tenants 2-3 times per week. As an optional
service you may order Titan’s Preventive Maintenance Inspection (PMI) annually. This highly
recommended service gives us the opportunity to inspect the exterior and interior of your
property. Titan’s PMI usually takes about 1-2 hours and we will provide you with written
reports and pictures of the inside and outside of your property. We will also provide you
a list of recommended repairs for the properties. An annual inspection is highly recommended
because it will allow you to catch and repair small preventive maintenance issues before they
become major costly repairs that could cost you thousands. Please ask your manager for more details.
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Q: What happens when there is maintenance required at the property?
A: When a maintenance issue arises at the property, the tenants will call in or submit a
Repair Request online. After review, the work order will be assigned to the proper technician
to correct the problem. If the issue is determined to be the fault of the tenant, the repair
will be billed to the tenant for reimbursement. For all general maintenance, we recommend
that you allow us the authority to spend up to a predetermined amount (approx $300.00) on
general repairs without having to contact you. On non-emergency repairs that exceed the
predetermined spending limit, the property owner will be consulted before any repairs are authorized.
If the tenant reports an emergency situation at the property, our focus will be to protect
the property and minimize any damage to the property, secondly to restore or maintain the
habitability of the property. Once things are under control we will contact the property
owner to advise on the situation.
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Q: How much notice must be given to increase rent?
A: If the rent increase plus all rent increases during the prior 12 months does not increase
the rent by the amount over 10%, the rent increase will be effective in 30 days. If the rent
increase plus all rent increases during the prior 12 months is over 10%, then the rent increase
will be effective in 60 days.
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Q: What happens if you have to evict my tenant?
A: There are occasions (very few), where we will have to initiate eviction proceedings.
All of our evictions are handled through a California licensed attorney specializing in
tenant/landlord law. There are many nightmare stories about evictions taking up to several
months before the owner can regain possession of their property. Be assured this is usually
not the case. Most of our evictions are "uncontested", meaning the tenant does not file an
answer with the court, and possession is obtained in approximately four weeks. If a tenant
does file and answer with the court, a hearing date will be set, and the tenant essentially
has "bought themselves’ two more weeks of possession. In most cases the eviction process
unfortunately does take 6-8 weeks from initialization. Stringent tenant screening on our
behalf keeps evictions to a minimum with our company. You as the owner will be responsible
for the cost of the attorney, which is approximately $750 for the entire eviction process.
We will coordinate with the attorney and appear in court on your behalf, for no additional cost.
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Q: How and when do I get my checks?
A: For owners of single family homes, condos, or duplexes, we disburse owner’s funds along
with a detailed report typically between the 6th and the 10th of every month. If you would
like, we can direct deposit your funds directly into your bank account and email your report
to you with all invoices that were paid. The only reason you would not receive funds at this
time would be if your tenant has failed to pay rent. We will contact you and let you know of
the pending status of your tenant’s payment. Owners of larger multi-unit properties receive
their disbursements and reports at the end of the month.
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Q: What liabilities should I look out for as a landlord and can I do to protect myself?
A: As a property owner, you are potentially liable for known and unknown conditions at
the property. With a competent insurance agent, your fire/liability insurance policy will
adequately cover you in most cases. Your agent can recommend the appropriate insurance limit
for your situation. Skyline PM’s management agreement with owners include an indemnity clause,
which you will find in most other management companies, that places basic liability for all acts
on the property owner. Insurance companies are aware of this and most will willingly name the
property manager as either additional insured or name the manager as an interested party to the
policy at no extra cost. As a property investor, it is prudent to take the necessary steps to
make sure you and the property management company you hired are both protected just in case a
lawsuit arises. Keeping an open line of communication and acting promptly and professionally
will minimize the probability of a lawsuit.
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Q: Do you sell real estate too?
A: Yes, as a service to our property management clients. Our primary focus is on property management.
All of our team members are licensed Realtors. We can assist you in the sale, exchange, or acquisition
of additional properties for your property portfolio.