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One of the worst nightmares for owners and property management services Columbia SC is tenants who do not leave or refuse to leave after their lease is up. When people occupy a home, they are not supposed to live in, they are referred to as “squatters.” These squatters are not only people who might stay after the lease is up, but also people who break in, or friends that were not on the lease who try to stay after the original lessors move out. 

Some people believe that squatters can get lawful possession of a home through a loophole called adverse possession which allows legal ownership of a property without having to provide payment under certain conditions. However, each state has their own laws, often called “squatters rights” that govern how these situations are handled. 

Squatter’s Rights, Should I be Worried?

Squatters must occupy a home or property lawfully for more than 10 years before they can claim ownership of the property and get a deed or title in their name. These situations are unique to abandoned properties or properties that have been unclaimed through inheritances or other circumstances. 

Squatter’s rights in South Carolina are not applicable to homes that are owned by someone or under contract with property management services Columbia SC. Investors may have to deal with tenants from time to time that do not want to leave after their lease is up, or when they are being evicted, but these folks are not squatters. 

Property management services Columbia SC owners trust and work with regularly are adept at handling the legal side of evictions and tenants that violate their leases. These processes are often burdensome for owners, and a good property manager will be able to handle things from start to finish without the owner ever needing to come to court in most cases. 

If you are ready to talk to a property manager and get the process started, call Scott Properties of the Midlands at 803-951-0702. 

The Fair Housing Act is federal legislation that makes it illegal for most housing providers to discriminate against a tenant based on race, disability, familiar status, national origin, color, religion, and sex. Residential property management Lexington SC investors work with are trained and certified in Federal Fair Housing regulations, but it is easy for people to slip up and discriminate against someone in a passive way and without even realizing. 

Our property managers have some recommendations you can follow to ensure you are always in compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act. 

1. Be Consistent- The rules need to apply to everyone equally with no exceptions being made. If leasing agents working for a residential property management Lexington SC company are supposed to ask for a photo ID when showing a home to prospects, the leasing agent or property manager needs to ensure the practice is consistent. Same scenario applies to applicants that might not qualify for the home but offer to pay the full lease up front. If you allow one tenant to do this, you must allow all applicants the ability to do this. 
2. Fulfill Maintenance Requests First Come First Served- When it comes to maintenance, the crew might want to resolve smaller problems or quick to fix issues first; however, it is important that, unless there is a maintenance emergency, that all requests are addressed in the order they are received. Following this rule will ensure that your maintenance staff is not accused of discrimination. 
3. Practice Giving Tours and Processing Applications- If there are multiple people working in the leasing or property management office, try to spend time practicing having conversations with coworkers and roleplaying. When having a conversation with potential tenants, it can be easy to slip up and give out information that you are not allowed to, or accidentally discriminate against someone. Practicing your approach to showing homes and answering questions can save residential property management Lexington SC companies a fair housing violation lawsuit. 

Partnering with residential property management Lexington SC companies to take care of your investment properties is always a fantastic way to make sure you are not violating the law. When you are on the hunt for the perfect partnership, make sure to ask if all the leasing agents at each company are certified in Federal Fair Housing laws. 

If you are looking for property management in Lexington SC, call Scott Properties at 843-779-6527.

Property management companies in Columbia SC understand the burden of needing to purchase and replace carpeting with every moveout, and the strain it puts on investors. Between the price of materials, the cost of labor, and the time it takes away from being able to re-rent a home, carpet replacement can really put a dent in an investor’s budget for property maintenance. Luckily, there are a few ways you can make carpets last longer so that they do not need to be replaced every time! 

Tips for Rental Carpet Care

Carpets are easy to damage and get dirty but property management companies in Columbia SC can take certain steps to make reduce the damage and keep carpets in good shape longer. 

1. Hard Surfaces at Entryways- Many homes have carpeting in the rooms that contain exit doors. It is common for living rooms, sitting rooms, or foyers to have carpet; however, consider a hard surface for just in front of the entry. Tile, laminate, or hardwood flooring in front of the doors to create a 5’ x 5’ landing area will help reduce the amount of dirt, water, grass, and grime that is dragged into the house on your shoes from the outside. 
2. Complimentary Carpet Cleaning- At least once per year, offer a free deep carpet clean to your renters. They will appreciate the above and beyond service, clean carpets, and property management services in Columbia SC will reap the benefits of reduced carpet replacements! This is a win-win for everyone involved! 
3. Consider the Type of Carpet- There are many different types of carpeting. Some have longer fibers, others are denser, and there are even carpets that are moisture wicking and stain resistant! Carpeting such as polypropylene fiber carpet is the most popular, easiest to clean, and affordable. Nylon Frieze and nylon are also very durable and easy to clean. 
4. Provide a Vacuum- Some property managers will go as far as to provide every home with its very own vacuum cleaner. This way, residents are guaranteed to have one on hand during move-in, which is often one of the messiest times. A vacuum cleaner will cost less than carpet replacement! 

Keeping carpets clean and looking brand new can be difficult. Sometimes, no matter what precautions you take, carpet replacement will be inevitable. A property manager can help ensure the likelihood of replacement is reduced. 

If you’re looking for property management in Columbia SC, call Scott Properties at 843-779-6527.