Rental Property Management Midlands | What You Need to Know About Landlord Harassment 

Rental Property Management Midlands | Every property manager has horror stories to tell about stressful tensions between themselves and their tenants. No property manager wants to have a conflict with the people renting from them, but sometimes confrontation with tenants is unavoidable if they are committing lease violations. There’s a fine line to cross before property manager actions cross over into landlord harassment. Here’s what you need to know about landlord harassment and what your rights as a property manager are:

1. What is Landlord Harassment? When a landlord is trying to pressure or intimidate a tenant, or using aggressive methods of communication towards the tenant, this is considered landlord harassment. To prove a property manager is committing landlord harassment the behavior usually must be ongoing. 
2. What Constitutes Landlord Harassment? There are many different ways a landlord could be harassing a tenant. Some of the most common forms of harassment towards tenants include:

• Illegal entry
• Turning off utilities
• Taking away services or amenities that are included in the lease
• Refusing maintenance requests
• Changing the locks
• Taking personal possessions out of the rental home 
• Increasing rent
• Not giving proper notice for entry, eviction, or lease violations
• Trying to buyout a tenant
• Threatening a tenant verbally 
• Threatening a tenant physically 
• Refusing rent payments
• Filing false charges against tenants
• Serving fake eviction notices to the tenant
• Sexual harassment 

This list is not exhaustive of everything a landlord can do that is considered harassment. If you’re a property manager concerned about harassment allegations, the best way to protect yourself is to follow the rules in the lease precisely as written. 

3. What Isn’t Harassment? Landlords do have legal rights to the properties they are managing. Some things that are not landlord harassment include:

• Emergency entry into a home
• Filing evictions in accordance with the rules outlined in the lease
• Raising rent with proper notice for all units or to increase the value of a unit to match others in the area
• Sending notifications of legitimate lease violations
• Turning off Utilities for nonpayment per lease terms
• Sending a buyout request to a tenant
• Changing locks for victims of domestic violence

If you’re looking for a property manager that has no risk of committing landlord harassment, contact Scot Properties of Midlands at 843-790-4929.

Rental Property Management Midlands | What Owners Should Know About Property Management Fees

Rental Property Management Midlands | The best way to invest in your rental property is to hire a Midlands property management company to manage your single-family home. Midlands property management companies, will do everything a landlord would do plus more, leaving investors and owners time to enjoy their lives and collect a passive income that doesn’t need much hands-on work from them. One thing owners and investors must be aware of however, before hiring Midlands property management is that they all charge a fee for their service.  

Here’s what you need to know about property management fees:

1. You Get What You Pay For- Cheap Midlands property management fees usually equal cheap, low-quality service that won’t yield you a high return on your investment. Some companies offer low fees to amass many owner clients but then get stuck trying to divide their time between all the properties efficiently. This will end up costing you more than you’re paying in Midlands property management fees. 
2. Compare Fees- Shop around to different Midlands property management companies and compare the fee schedule for what you as the owner receive in return. You also need to understand the differences between companies and check out reviews for the various companies as well. Sometimes you can negotiate the price with property management companies also. 
3. Understand the Fee Schedule- Included with your Midlands property management fee may many different things such as the management fee, set-up, leasing, and advertising fees, a maintenance account with money available, reserve fund fee, eviction processing fees, and much more. You need to ensure that when you are signing a contract with a Midlands property management company you understand precisely what you are paying for. Don’t be afraid to ask for further explanation or for terms you aren’t comfortable with to be reconsidered. 

If you’re ready to invest in single-family rentals and are looking for the best Midlands property management team, call Scott Properties of Midlands at 843-790-4929. 

Midlands Property Management | Tips for Telling Tenants About Rent Increases

Midlands Property Management | One of the most challenging things a property manager has to do is notify long term tenants about rent increases. Property in Midlands has been rising in value for years, and there’s no reason why the rent shouldn’t be increasing as well, especially if the home has been updated and maintained by the property manager. Still, rent increases often cause tension and conflict between the property manager and tenants which can be uncomfortable. Follow our tips for dealing with rental increases to decrease the stress and get that lease renewal signed. 

1. Know the Rent Increase Guidelines in Your State- There are different laws in every state dealing with landlord-tenant relations and rent. Before you increase rent ensure that you are familiar with the rules in your state, the rules in the homeowner’s association if the property is in one, and the rules of the lease. You may find restrictions on how often and by how much you can raise rent or maximum caps on rent prices. 
2. Send A Letter- You should never wait until the tenant is in your office to sign their new lease to inform them of a rent increase. Putting someone on the spot is never a good idea for anything. You should make sure to send a polite letter that officially documents the communication and informs the tenant of the increase at least 60 days in advance of their lease renewal. 
3. What You Include in Your Letter- A property manager needs to include the tenant’s full name, address of the property, date the letter was written, date the increase goes into effect, the amount of the rise, and the current cost of rent; along with the property manager information. 
4. Ask For Response- Include a letter or a tear-off portion at the end of the message you send that the tenant can drop off with their next rental payment or sooner where they can choose whether they accept the rent increase and will be in to sign their renewal; or that they reject the increase and will vacate by the last day of the lease agreement. 

If you’re looking for a property manager that can help you navigate the problematic landlord processes, call Scott Properties of Midlands at 843-790-4929.  

Property Manager | Tenants Screening Scams Property Manager Needs Beware

Property Manager | Being a property manager is a rewarding career, but sometimes you have to deal with less than honest people with potentially harmful intentions. Knowing the warning signs of a tenant screening scam is vital for a property manager to ensure they are protecting the property and owners from future conflict. Here are some of the most common scams that tenants try to pull during the screening process:

1. Requesting a Quick Move-in with Cash Upfront- A tenant who comes with cash for the deposit and move-in fees and requests to move in immediately is a huge red flag for a property manager. Tenants may also entice you to skip the background and credit check by offering to pay several months upfront or even the entire term of the lease. While this may sound good as far as rental payment goes, your tents can be trying to buy you off to leave them alone while they are conducting illegal businesses on site. 
2. False Credit Reports- Some tenants might drop off a credit report with their application, claiming to want to save you the time and hassle of running it yourself. A busy property manager can be tempted by such a proposition but 99.9% of the time these tenants provided credit and background checks are fake. 
3. The Sublease Scammer- Some tenants will move in and then try to sublease the home as though they were the owner. The original tenant will usually require an excessive move-in fee or several months of rent upfront, pocket the money, and skip town. This scams the new tenant as well as the property manager because the tenant is now broke and living somewhere illegally while the property manager has no way of recovering the rent money. 
4. Fake Paystubs- Most property management companies recommend that tenants as a household make at least three times the rent in monthly income. If you require paystubs for verification from prospective tenants, make sure to verify those pay stubs or earnings reports with their company. 
5. Fake References- Everyone has a friend willing to lie for them, and tenants will often ask their friends and family to pose as former employers or landlords to get a good reference. Rather than call the employer phone number on the application, search the business name and call the business directly then, ask for the name on the application. 

A great property manager can see a scammer from a mile away. If you want the best property manager for your rental home, call Scott Properties of Midlands at 843-790-4929.

Rental Property Management Midlands | Why You Should Buy Property in Midlands 

Rental Property Management Midlands | If you’ve been looking to invest in rental property on the coast but aren’t sure where the best place to buy your property is, look no further than Midlands, South Carolina. More than 700,000 people live in the thriving Midlands Metropolitan Area and the housing market has been competitive and looks to stay that way into the future. Now is the best time to buy an investment property and let rental property management in Midlands help you rake in the extra income every month. Check out these reasons to invest in Midlands. 

1. Property Values- When you purchase an investment property you want the home to increase in value and rental property management in Midlands companies are seeing an increase of 8.4% in some home values just in the last year. The average price of a home in Midlands is around $299,000 while is an almost $50,000 increase from the average home price in 2015 according to Zillow estimates. Real estate values have also appreciated nearly 32% in the last ten years, and appreciation is higher in Midlands than 70% of other cities in the United States. 
2. Rent Values- People will pay a pretty penny for homes in Midlands because of it’s prime and historic location. In 2018, the median rent in North Midlands for a single-family home was $1,850. The Midlands Metro area had an average rental rate of $1,650. 
3. Rent Market- Roughly 49% of adults in Midlands are renters, and the median age of a citizen in Midlands is 36. This is advantageous for property management in Midlands because most of the people in this age demographic will be small families looking for detached homes with three to four bedrooms. These families are likely to want to rent, especially when the median income in Midlands makes buying a home unaffordable for some families.

Now is the time to dive into a rental property in Midlands and a property management in Midlands company like Scott Properties can help your investments earn you the extra income you’ve been looking for. Contact Scott Properties at 843-352-8341.  

Midlands Property Management | The Hippest Neighborhoods in Midlands 

Midlands Property Management | The under 35 population is renting rather than buying homes, which are great news for Midlands property management companies because single-family home rentals are more popular than ever before. If you’ve been wondering about the best neighborhoods to start your rental property business, just check out the hippest neighborhoods in Midlands to see where you should buy a property. 

Harleston Village- College students, recent graduates, and academic types love living in Harleston Village because of it’s proximity to the College of Midlands. Harleston is also pretty swanky and affluent with large houses, streets lined with mossy oak trees, and antebellum architecture. 

Wagener Terrace- Located on the downtown peninsula, Wagener Terrace has a hip, cool vibe with many local bars, gastro pubs, restaurants, and many amazing parks. Bill Murray even owns a restaurant in this part of town which he sometimes hangs out at. If you want to rent a house in a neighborhood with all the best food, Midlands property management can help you find the perfect property in Wagener Terrace. 

Avondale- On the west side of the downtown peninsula in the West Ashley region of Midlands is a cool neighborhood known for its trendy bars and restaurants. Avondale is full of young professionals and small families, artists, boutique stores, and the West Ashley Bikeway—an almost 8-mile stretch that residents can walk, run, or bike on through downtown and the other neighborhoods in Midlands. 

Mount Pleasant- This coastal neighborhood is nearby downtown and the beaches and is known for its excellent public school system and family-friendly environment. Many of the people who live in Mount Pleasant have lived there for generations and is a conservative neighborhood. 

The Islands- One of the most popular places to live in Midlands are the islands. The neighborhoods on the island are pricy but elegant and the only oceanfront public schools in the continental US are in Sullivan’s Island. 

If you’ve recently bought property in one of these neighborhoods and need Midlands property management to help you rent your home, call Scott Properties at 843-790-0148.

Rental Property Management Midlands | Residential Leasing Terms That Every Property Manager Should Know

Rental Property Management Midlands | One of the most important traits a property manager must have is knowing the right leasing terminology so that rental prospects trust that the property manager knows what they are talking about. If a renter asks the property manager what a term in the lease means, the property manager needs to be able to explain the term clearly. Here are a few terms we think you should know that you might not already. 

Fixed Term Lease- A fixed-term lease is for a specified period. These leases are usually for 6, 12, or 18 months, but some leases could be longer. Most will end on a specified date and have the option of becoming a month-to-month lease, or you’ll be offered a chance to renew your lease or vacate. 

Grace Period- Some leases will include a grace period stipulated in the lease for paying rent late without penalty, or for other things such as being able to back out of your lease after you sign one. 

Guarantor- A guarantor is also called a co-signor and is a person who guarantees that if the renter is unable to pay their rent, the co-signor will be responsible for paying. A guarantor is usually needed when the applicant cannot meet the rental criteria on their own. 

Periodic Term Lease- This type of lease automatically renews at the end of the term for the same amount of time as the original lease. If the lessor or lessee wishes to break the lease or not renew, they will have to provide notice before the lease is up. The lease will specify exactly how far in advance both parties will need to give notice. 

Sublease- The property manager may allow a property to be sublet under certain conditions. A sublet is when the lessee has to vacate the property before the end of their lease term, but someone else is available to take over the remainder of the lease. If the person subleasing the home does not pay rent, the original renter is often responsible. 

If you’re ready to hire a property manager that understand a lease like the back of their hand, call Scott Properties at 843-790-0148. 

Midlands Property Management | Protecting Investment Properties From Flood Water 

Midlands Property Management | A property manager in Midlands, South Carolina, must be aware of the protections they must take against floodwater in rental homes. Hurricane season can often be rough on Midlands, and heavy storms can damage investment properties that a property manager needs to look after. Luckily, there are a few things that a property manager can do to protect your investment home from damage. 

1. Maintain the Gutter System- Gutters collect the water from the roof and channel it away from the home so that your roof does not become waterlogged. Gutter maintenance is the single best way to avoid roof leaks and damage. Add downspout extensions to move water further away from your home and prevent basement flooding. 
2. Educate Tenants- A good property manager needs to make sure the tenants living in the home are educated on what to do in the case of flooding. Their first step should be to shut off the gas and electricity to reduce fire risk and electrocution. Make sure tenants know the emergency maintenance number and that someone is available to answer those calls, especially during storm season. 
3. Inspect- The property manager needs to inspect the home periodically, and even more often in storm season, for leaks, cracks, and other flood damage risks. Roof leaks and foundational seal cracks should be fixed as soon as possible. 
4. Sump Pumps- Every rental property should have a basement sump pump. Sump pumps can also be installed in the low points in your driveway and carports. You can even put sump pumps in your landscaping to keep water from logging in your gardens and yard. 
5. Flood Equipment- Every property manager should have access to wet/dry vacuums, large circulating fans, mops, and buckets. If your property is flooded chances are others in the area will be too, and water cleanup companies may be swamped. The property manager needs to be able to deploy a maintenance team to start the cleanup. 

If you’re interested in working with a knowledgeable property manager for your home, call Scott Properties at 843-352-8341. 

Midlands Property Management | Social Media and Your Midlands Property Management Company 

Midlands property management is a competitive business. There are dozens of people moving to the Midlands metro area every day and these folks are looking for places to rent while they are starting careers and families, but you have to be able to connect with them if you want them to consider your rental properties. One of the best ways to connect with prospective tenants, and current renters, is to use social media for business, and there are several reasons why. 

1. Advertising- A Midlands property management company has to advertise their properties; otherwise, no one would know they were for rent. Social media advertising is the best way to target specific demographics or keywords to find qualifying tenants. There are easy social media management tools that make posting to social media easy and convenient. 
2. Bring Value to Your Business- Tenants and residents in the neighborhoods where you have homes for rent should want to follow you on social media to be in the know about local events. Midlands property management should be the first ones to hear about special events, road closures, town ordinances, and other news. When you can relay this information to your tenants and how them you are invested in the communities, they are more likely to refer you to friends and family for their Midlands property management needs. Your current tenants will also appreciate being able to check a Facebook page and find out when inspections are happening to properties or any rent specials being offered. 
3. Generate Leads- Social media platforms like Twitter are becoming the best way to reach renters and generate leads due to search functions that allow Midlands property management companies to search for keywords like “moving out.” This super specific targeting can only be done through social media. 

Are you looking for a Midlands property management company that understands how to take advantage of social media? Give Scott Properties a call at 843-352-8341. 

Midlands Property Management | Increase Curb Appeal for High-End Rental Homes 

Midlands Property Management | When you’re renting your high-end home in an upscale neighborhood in the Midlands area, one of the most important things you need to keep in mind is a great curb appeal. When people are paying thousands of dollars to live in your home, they expect a well-maintained property with excellent curb appeal. When you show your home to prospective tenants in an upscale neighborhood, they will know as soon as they step foot on the property if they can see themselves living there. Here are a few tips from Midlands property management on increasing your curb appeal for high-end rental homes:

1. Clean it Up- If the rental home hasn’t had a good deep cleaning inside and out, now is the time. Power washes the siding, clean out the gutters, trim the bushes, pick up sticks and branches, update the landscaping, mow the yard, and clean off the driveway and walkways of debris. This will make an immediate impact on the curb appeal of your rental home. 
2. Add Accents- Add bright shutters, paint the door blue, add color to the trim, or talk to Midlands property management companies about what the current trends are for unique curb appeal and home aesthetics in Midlands. 
3. Modern Light Fixtures- Exterior light fixtures may seem like a small outdoor accessory, but they can make a significant impact on your curb appeal according to Midlands property management companies. Use modern light fixtures, add lights to your drive or walkways, hang pendant lights from your covered porch to make a great statement. 
4. Small Updates- You’d be surprised at how much of a difference it can make when Midlands property management updates the little things on an upscale rental property. A brand-new mailbox, a beautiful garden bench, planters with colorful flowers, or a new and healthy tree can make a huge difference in curb appeal. 

Midlands property management like Scott Properties has the best know-how on keeping curb appeal on your rental home high. Call today to see how Scott Properties can manage your home at 843-352-8341.