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Rental Policies Essential to be in Your Lease | Property Management Companies in Columbia SC

A lease is the most important and essential component to renting your single-family home. The lease is a legally binding document that outlines the rental amount, due dates, and obligations of the landlord and tenant. Having a lawyer or experienced property management companies in Columbia SC involved in creating your lease is always a good idea. Property managers are experts in leasing and can let you know the policies that are most essential to protect owners and the property. 

Most Important Lease Policies for Property Management Companies in Columbia SC

  • Fees- There are more charges that tenants are responsible for above and beyond rent; however, these fees must be outlined in the lease to be enforceable. Fees could include municipal garbage, bulk waste, or recycling fees, late fees, lease violation penalty fees, charges made to the deposit such as cleaning fees post move-out, pet fees, and more. 
  • Overnight Visitor Policies- Long term overnight visitors can quickly end up becoming roommates which can put your tenants over the occupancy limits in the lease. Too many people living in a house and not being on the lease is a problem property management companies in Columbia SC are familiar with and we always recommend having clear occupancy policies for visitors and tenants. 
  • Exterior Upkeep- Lawns, sidewalks, porches, patios, decks, gardens, garages, and other exterior areas of the property require upkeep from mowing and weed pulling to keeping these areas free from trash and debris. Outlining responsibilities of the landlord and the tenant in the lease for these areas is important to maintaining the curb appeal of the property. 
  • Renewal and Termination Policies- The last thing you want is for a tenant to move out unexpectedly and be stuck with unplanned costs to clean, market, and lease the property. Adding policies that outline how to properly terminate or renew a lease will protect your investment financially. Make sure to consider how far in advance tenants must renew or give notice of moving out, any early termination fees or late renewal fees, and what the move out procedures should be. 

These four policies are essential to have in each property lease; however, there are many other factors that are very important. Partnering with property management companies in Columbia SC is a great way to ensure your leases are legally binding, protect your property and investment, and increase your return on investment. 

If you’re ready to talk about your property management options, give Scott Properties a call at 803-951-0702.

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Battling the Top Reasons Why Tenants Want to Move Out | Property Management Companies in Columbia SC

One of the most important tasks property management companies in Columbia SC do for their investor clients is making sure great tenants don’t leave. When tenants pay ontime, keep the property clean and cared for, and don’t have any complaints, the most dreadful thing that can happen is non renewal of their lease and moving out. The best tenants are super hard to come by, and sometimes there is no way to convince a renter not to move, including when their job changes or they have personal reasons to move. However, there are a lot of ways you can increase resident retention and make it more likely for tenants to stay in place longer. 

How to Overcome Tenant Move Out Requests 

There are a few common reasons why tenants might want to move that will allow you some flexibility in changing their minds:

  • The House is Too Small- If tenants are expanding their family by having a child or wanting to have roommates, the rental home might not fit their needs any longer. Property management companies in Columbia SC can simply offer a lease transfer when this is the case! Work with the tenants to lease another property by the same owner or company so you aren’t completely losing out on the revenue from those tenants. Pre Leasing an upcoming property, or even allowing tenants to break their current leases early when transferring in-house can be a win-win for everyone. 
  • We Don’t Like the Schools- If the tenants are wanting to have kids, or their kids are starting school, they may start looking for a new home in a different school district, or closer to their school of choice. When this happens the best option is to ask them to transfer into a rental property near the school they want and offer them options that allow them to keep renting from the same property management companies in Columbia SC. 
  • No Longer Affordable- One of the toughest objections to overcome from tenants is when they can no longer afford the rent. You shouldn’t lower your rent to accommodate your renters, however, you can help them to see the great value they have by staying in their home. Moving costs, paying a new deposit for rent and utilities, and the loss of certain amenities such as on-site laundry can end up costing a tenant more than if they had stayed in the home and renewed their lease. 

Property managers often have great sales skills that help to increase retention among the tenants that you want to renew again and again. Working with a property management company can streamline your business and help you see a larger return on investment. Call Scott Properties today to find out how we can help you. 

Contact Scott Properties at 803-951-0702.

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Property Manager | Moving to Midlands, South Carolina During Summer (Scott Properties)

Property Manager | Moving to Midlands, South Carolina During Summer

 

Property Manager | Midlands, South Carolina is one of the most iconic cities in the United States. The city is a blend of southern charm and coastal elegance which creates an atmosphere that no other cities can match. During the summertime Midlands buzzes with excitement and welcomes tourists from all over the world which can sometimes make finding a suitable home rental difficult, especially if you want to live near the beach. This is why renting with a property manager is always a great idea in Midlands. Follow our other tips and tricks for moving to Midlands in the summer to be prepared for your big move.

 

  1. Plan Ahead- Summer is the busiest time for moving anywhere, but especially in Midlands where people often rent a house for months or half the year at a time. There are a lot of summer houses available in Midlands but finding the perfect home for long term rental can sometimes be challenging. As soon as you know you are moving to Midlands, you should start looking for a reliable property manager who can help you secure a rental ahead of time.

 

  1. Research the Area- When you are looking for homes for rent in Midlands you need to research the area where the homes you are interested are located. Because Midlands is a prime tourism spot, there are a lot of houses that are offered as short-term rentals through sites like Air B n B. If you prefer to live somewhere you won’t have revolving neighbors, make sure your property manager knows you want to live in a residential neighborhood with established homeowners.

 

  1. Avoid Moving During Peak Times- Labor Day Weekend, Fourth of July Weekend, and Memorial Day weekend is the most popular time to move during the summer because most people have a three-day weekend and are off work. The first and last weekends of the month are also busy as this is when leases typically end. Moving during the week can get you discounts on moving trucks and movers sometimes too!

If you are ready to start working with a property manager to find your dream home in Midlands, contact Scott Properties today at 843-3528413.

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