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Month: <span>February 2022</span>
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Can You Collect Rent if the Tenant is Dies? | Property Management Companies in Columbia SC

Author: MediaBeast
Categories: Property Management Companies in Columbia SC,Property Management in Columbia SC
property management companies columbia sc

Property managers always want homes to be full, resident retention to be high, and lease violations to be low. When property management companies in Columbia SC have good relationships established with quality tenants rent is more likely to be on time and profits will flow easily to investors. However, there are times when even the best tenants stop paying rent including tenant death which is one thing landlords have no control over. 

What Happens When a Tenant Dies?

Property management companies in Columbia SC have an obligation to work with the executor of the tenant’s will to manage the tenant’s belongings. The lease obligation is the tenant’s responsibility even if they are no longer alive and the estate will be responsible for rent obligations. 

However, most of the time the executor of the estate will not want to pay rent on an empty unit and property management companies in Columbia SC will want to release the unit as fast as possible. There are several options open to landlords and executors for how to handle the lease when a tenant dies. 

  • Treat the death as a broken lease agreement and work with the executor to pay any early termination fees listed in the rental agreement. 
  • As the judge to award full payment of rent to satisfy the lease during probate court proceedings
  • Allow the lease to break without any repercussions

Property managers need to be flexible and patient but should know the proper procedures to go through when a tenant dies while living in a rental property. If the property manager finds the tenant dead, they should call the authorities immediately and then the emergency contact information in the tenant’s file, followed by the property owner.

The tenant’s next of kin or executor will be responsible for cleaning out the home before the end of the lease, or the agreement made between the property manager or owner, and the executor. Investors will want to consult with their attorney if the property management company they are working with does not have one available. 

If you are looking for a property manager, call Scott Properties of the Midlands at 803-951-0702.

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Red Flags When Talking to Prospective Tenants | Property Management Companies in Columbia SC

Author: MediaBeast
Categories: charleston property management,Property Management Companies in Columbia SC
property management companies in columbia sc

One of the most important jobs a property manager has is ensuring the most qualified tenants are living in investment properties. Investors count on property management companies in Columbia SC to know the best techniques for finding high-quality rental applicants including the red flags to listen for when showing the homes to prospective tenants. 

Red Flags to Listen for

When a property manager is showing a home to a prospective renter it is important to have a bit of a conversation. Red flags often slip out in casual conversation and professional leasing agents with property management companies in Columbia SC will catch these right away.

  1. What Do You Look for on the Background Check? If a prospective tenant wants details about what the background check is going to look for, chances are they have a few questionable things that might come up. These applicants may not want to waste time or money filling out the application if they may not pass the background check. 
  2. How Many People Do You Allow to Live Here? This question is a red flag because it indicates the prospect may not be able to afford the rent on their own, may have roommates, or additional people living in the home, whether they are on the lease or not. 
  3. I am Moving Because I Hate My Landlord. Whenever a prospective tenant trashes a landlord or other property management companies in Columbia SC it is a huge red flag that the tenant has issues, probably lease violations, with their current or previous landlords. Rental references and rental history will be important to double-check. 
  4. How Many Pets Are Allowed? When your tenant starts asking about the pet policy it is a sure thing that they have at least one animal they want to bring. If they ask how many pets can be in the home, chances are they have multiple pets or they want more in the future. Property managers will need to be upfront and clear about the pet policy in the lease.

The best way to ensure the top tenants are applying for and leasing your rental homes is to work with property management companies in Columbia SC with the ability to conduct thorough background checks and hold professional showings. 

If you are looking for a property manager, call Scott Properties of the Midlands at 803-951-0702.

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