Tips, Policies And Procedures Manual And Management Guides For Real Estate

By Lisa Snyder


Managing properties is a dynamic engagement as you move from one state to the other. The rules also change from time to time, making it difficult to find a comprehensive guide that cuts across states or covers all properties. However, it is not difficult to identify reliable policies and procedures manual and management guides for real estate that will help you avoid penalties and fines or trouble with tenants and the law.

Screening tenants cannot be underestimated because is it a requirement of the law and will prove helpful to the property owner. It will ensure that you do not accommodate terrorists or end up with perpetual rent defaulters. Engage professional agents who have the knowledge and resources to conduct a thorough vetting process. This does not leave you at liberty to discriminate since the law will punish you for it.

Tenancy and contracts with managers should be in writing. Many landlords have ended up in trouble because of verbal agreements that lack evidence. Agree on the amounts to be paid, the deadlines, penalties, rent increments, modes of payment, etc and put all that in writing. Have the contract scrutinized by a lawyer to ensure that it meets the required threshold.

You should inspect the property as often as possible. This allows you to identify areas that need repair attention to avoid injuries on tenants or people within the area. The law allows you to inspect the property after providing a notice to the occupant. The reasons may be repair or for security purposes. Should a tenant raise an issue, it must be addressed immediately. This provides protection in case you are sued.

The security deposit from tenants should be handled with care. The contract should capture the deposit comprehensively including how it should be handled and refunded depending on circumstances. Have a clear mechanism of setting the deposit and have it available to a tenant whenever he or she is required to move out. Be guided by the contract to avoid conflicts and unnecessary lawsuits.

Security within the premises is your responsibility. Tenants will sue you for lost items especially if you have not provided the infrastructure to safeguard the premises. Whether it means the availability of CCTV or a perimeter fence, you will be off trouble if the premise is secured.

Be open about any hazards that tenants within your premise may encounter. Some of the problematic hazards include mold and lead poisoning. Notify the tenant of the existence of such hazards and take necessary measures to safeguard them. Failure to disclose these hazards will haunt you in case you are sued.

The property is your responsibility even with the availability of managers. Ensure that all clauses stipulated in the contract are executed accordingly. With a formal contract, it will be easier to identify the party that was negligent so that responsibility can be assigned.




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