Making the wrong decision when it comes to tenants in Park City property management can be one of the worst decisions you will ever make. You have spent a considerable amount of money and time on your investment property and the last thing you want is to get the wrong person in there. Understand that it is very EASY to deny a person from renting your property before they have taken occupancy. But once they are in it can be very HARD to get them out. So in the spirit of saving everyone some headaches here are some great questions to ask future tenants.
- Why Are You Moving? This is the first question you should ask. Is the person new to the area or are they moving up or down market? Or where the kicked out of their previous place? Once when I was interviewing a person for a maintenance position I asked them about their previous job. They proceeded to tell me how stupid everyone was at that place and they couldn't wait to get out of there. Needless to say they didn't get the job. Watch what they say about their landlord, this will give you a clue as to how they will act towards you.
- Have You Ever Been Evicted? For obvious reasons you want to know the answer to this question. This is actually something we ask on our application in a couple of different ways, including disclosure. If they answer yes or hesitate follow up with a few questions about the circumstances.
- Who Will Be Living In The Property? This should include all adults and minors. We require that everyone over the age of 18 have a background check and sign the lease. Minors are listed on the lease as well. This way there are no questions about who is living in the property. Be careful about how you ask questions as you don't want to run into any type of Fair Housing discrimination in Park City property management.
- Do You Have Any Pets? Park City is a very interesting town. While seemingly very pet-friendly there are few condominium communities that will allow tenants to have pets. If your long term rental in Park City is in a community that doesn't allow tenants with pets you need to make sure you don't run afoul of your community rules.
- Where Do You Work? Park City is becoming less of a winter and more of a year round destination. But there is still a busy season and a less busy season. If your prospective tenants have jobs that are only seasonal and nothing lined up for the summer this should be a concern. Always ask for employment information and a supervisor's name and phone number.
- How Long Will You Be In Park City? Again the last thing you want is to settle on a year lease with tenants who will only be around for the ski season. If you are looking for a seasonal rental they are a great option for some people and you will have no trouble finding that for winter. Summer is a different animal though so if you are considering year round leasing in Park City be clear about it with prospective tenants.
- Will You Be Able To Pay On Time? Perhaps you shouldn't phrase this so bluntly but being clear about when rent is due and when it is late is a great way to gauge a prospective tenant's ability to pay. If they balk about the timing then perhaps they are not the right fit for you.
- What Questions Do They Have For You? This is just a general catch all and a good way to see where the prospective tenant's mind is at. You can gain a lot of insight by these types of open-ended questions.
If you would like more information or tips, or further information about Park City property management in general click the link below for a free consultation. You will receive valuable information specific to your property that will help you make an informed decision. You will also receive a free, no-obligation quote on our property management services. At CC Realty we specialize in making investment property ownership a trouble free experience. Please contact us today for your free consultation.
So you've put in your elbow grease getting your long term rental in Park City ready to rent. You've had a few tours and found an interested party. You had them fill out an application, ran a background check and spoke with their previous landlord about how they were as tenants. Everything looks good so you take a deposit and the next step is to hand them keys and start collecting rent right? Wrong. You've missed out on one of the most important steps in running a successful Park City property management business, the tenant move in process.
Start With A Checklist
Ideally you should put together a checklist for yourself to make sure the process is consistent and repeatable for every tenant, whether you own on property or one hundred. A checklist should contain standard things like house rules, lease signing, deposit collection, key check out, and a move in sheet with utility company phone numbers. You can also get property specific if there are certain things that your tenants should be aware of like heat tape, swamp coolers, hot tub maintenance, etc. Most of our properties have water softeners so we make sure the tenant is aware of how to check the salt level and keep it full. When you are putting your checklist together take some time to think about the important components of a tenant moving in and include those items in your list.
Review The Lease
Go over the terms of the lease with your tenant and provide them with a copy. Make sure they are aware of any charges or fees that apply should they violate the terms of the lease. Explain things like late fees and when rent is due. Some people go to the extent of reading the lease to the tenant, if you feel this is necessary then by all means do so. Make sure you are using a lease specific to your state and not just something you pulled of the internet. Unless specified in your lease there are certain terms and statutes that apply in different states so make sure you are an educated landlord. There are many places you can get the information you need for Park City property management so remember an internet search is your friend.
Perform A Walkthrough
Do a walkthrough with the tenant to make sure they are familiar with the property and any existing damage or conditions in the property. They don't want to be charged for a stain they didn't put in the carpet and you don't want to charge them for it either. We also utilize a move in sheet that contains prices for items left dirty or damaged. This way the tenant knows exactly what they are responsible for up moving out of the property. We allow our tenants a little time to return the move in sheet, usually a few days. This way they are able to make note of any damage as they become more familiar with the property as they move in and get settled.
If you would like more information about handling loud, partying tenants, or further information about Park City property management in general click the link below for a free consultation. You will receive valuable information specific to your property that will help you make an informed decision. You will also receive a free, no-obligation quote on our property management services. At CC Realty we specialize in making investment property ownership a trouble free experience. Please contact us today for your free consultation.
photo credit #1
In order to be successful in Park City property management you need to attract and place quality tenants into your Park City long term rentals. Finding the right tenant can keep you clear of a host of problems, from property damage and nuisance complaints to criminal behavior and evictions. Doing the leg work up front will go a long way towards ensuring you have good tenants who will take care of your property. One thing you can do to help ensure your investment property is well taken care of is to hire a Park City property management company. If you would like some more information take a look at my post "The Value of a Park City Property Management Company" or give us a call to talk about our services. But right now let's dive into some tenant screening tips that will help you filter out problem tenants.
You should have an application that requires prospective tenants to submit verifiable information about their rental and work history as well as a Social Security number and date of birth. The application I use also asks for bank account information which can be useful in the event of a collection. The application asks directly if the person has been arrested, filed bankruptcy or had an eviction order filed against them.
- Run A Criminal Background And Credit Check
Use the information you obtained on the application to run a credit and criminal background check. This will help you in several areas. It will allow you to verify whether there is any criminal history, give an indication of how likely a person is to pay their bills, and it can protect you against fraudulent use of a Social Security number. While all of these steps are important this one is a must for Park City property management. Charge to the potential tenant a small fee to process an application and you can cover the cost of running a background check.
Call previous landlords and current employers. Past performance is an accurate predictor of future performance. One of the best questions you can ask a previous landlord, besides "Why are they moving" is "Would you rent to them again?" If the answer is no you should ask for some more explanation. This shouldn't necessarily disqualify a person but you want to make an educated decision. In checking references I have run across prospective tenants that were not recommended by their current landlord. And based on the results of these conversations I have rented to some of them.
- Apply The Same Process To Every Prospect
Using the same process each time provides a few benefits for Park City property management. First it can keep you from running afoul of Fair Housing laws. If a person who fits into a protected class is treated differently than everyone else you are discriminating and this can be a costly mistake. Another benefit is repeatable results. If every tenant who applies is treated differently then you will have inconsistent results in your screening.
If you would like more information on how to screen tenants, or further information about Park City property management in general click the link below for a free consultation. You will receive valuable information specific to your property that will help you make an informed decision. You will also receive a free, no-obligation quote on our property management services. At CC Realty we specialize in making investment property ownership a trouble free experience. Please contact us today for your free consultation.
photo credit #1
In my experience in Park City property management handling over 100 Park City long term rentals as well as a very large home owners association I have encountered many different types of people. I sometimes joke that there is never a dull moment when it comes to Salt Lake City property management. It seems as there is an inexhaustible supply of interesting people who have specific quirks that keep me and my staff on their toes. I have also found that in some ways many tenants will fit into a few categories when it comes to certain behaviors. I like to refer to this as the yin and yang of tenant behavior. Let's take a look at a few of these behaviors and how they keep life in property management Salt Lake City interesting.
Loud and Quiet
Obviously there are loud tenants, like a group of college kids who play Xbox until 4 am and throw loud parties on the weekend. And there are quiet tenants, like a retired couple who enjoy growing bonsai trees. But to me loud and quiet goes deeper than this. 
It often seems like I hear from the same tenants regularly. It isn't necessarily about the same issue either. My experience has been that some people are just more vocal and interactive when it comes to the community where the live and in particular the landlord for their property. Some people are more willing to reach out to their landlord regarding the property while some people accept certain conditions, are reluctant to bother their landlord or are generally easier going when it comes to situations that can occur in multi-family housing. I've even had a tenant admit to me they didn't want to call our office because they thought we might raise the rent on them. In Park City property management there are tenants you hear and tenants you don't hear.
Fixers and Non-Fixers
I've had this happen more than a few times. A new tenant moves into a property and the volume of maintenance requests suddenly spikes. The previous tenant had been in there for years and never called for anything. But the new tenant seems to regularly have a laundry list of items that need repair. Generally speaking it isn't that the new tenant is being harder on the place, although this does happen. It is a classic example of a non-fixer replacing a fixer. If I could lump myself into a category it would be a fixer. I honestly like digging into something, finding the problem, making a repair and putting things back together. It's probably some primal urge passed down from my arrowhead-making forbearers or perhaps I just like to keep my man card valid. But when a non-fixer replaces a fixer get ready for some maintenance requests. I've had more than a few property owners utter "Why is the new tenant breaking everything?" This is when the find out about fixers and non-fixers. There is also a sub category of fixer that can be very problematic; the fixer who doesn't know what they are doing. These fixers end up cause more damage than they solve and plumbers, electricians and appliance repair companies in Park City property management love them!
Open and Closed
These tenants are somewhat related to quiet and loud tenants but have a particular twist. I often discover who is open or closed when it comes time for someone to enter the property. Some tenants may call up with a maintenance request and tell you that you can go in whenever it is convenient; their main concern is that the work is completed. Some tenants however want everything scheduled 24 hours in advance and demand that they be present during the work, not matter how small the job, how long they have lived in the community or how well the know the staff. In particular we find these people out when there are services being performed that require us to enter multiple properties at one time, things like annual fire sprinkler inspections or preventative maintenance. Then it quickly becomes clear who is open and who is closed. Know which type of tenant you have can make things a lot smoother in Salt Lake City property management.
If you would like more information on dealing with different tenants, or further information about Park City property management in general click the link below for a free consultation. You will receive valuable information specific to your property that will help you make an informed decision. You will also receive a free, no-obligation quote on our property management services. At CC Realty we specialize in making investment property ownership a trouble free experience. Please contact us today for your free consultation.
photo credit #1
As a landlord in Park City property management you have undoubtedly contemplated the prospect of raising the rent on your current tenants. Perhaps you are in a negative cash flow perspective on your investment property and looking to get positive. Or maybe you feel the market has turned and a higher rate would keep you competitive. There are many things to consider before raising a rental rate so let's take some time to discuss a few of the more important points.
Availability
Is your rental property one of several in the area that are consistent rental properties, vacant or otherwise? Knowing how many rentals there are in your area is one of the first things you should determine when considering raising the rent. If your property is one of many and there are a fair amount of vacancies you run the risk of losing tenants. If your tenants are problem tenants you may want them to move however be careful because you could get yourself into trouble. I discussed this issue previous in a post titled "Landlord Retaliation - Park City Property Management" which you can read by clicking here.
Market Rate
Do you even know what the market rate is for your property? How do you determine market rate? The best answer on market rate is the rental rate that a willing landlord and tenant agree to. As a landlord however, you are looking to maximize your return on investment so you must position yourself in the marketplace accordingly. Doing your homework on what rental properties in your area are listed at and how comparable they are to your property is the first step towards determining market rate.
Quality Tenants
The old adage "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" perfectly describes the value of a quality tenant. Is an extra $25/month worth it when your current tenant takes excellent care of the property, always pays rent on time, is wonderful to work with when maintenance requests occur, and generally is a great person to deal with? Quality tenants are not always easy to come by and if you have one they are a great asset to your Park City property management operation. If a small increase is enough to drive them out then forego the money and keep your peace of mind. It is far better to make a little less a month and have a property returned in equal, if not better, condition at the end of a lease.
Rental Demand
How is the demand for rental units in your area? Are there factors in play that could increase or decrease the demand for your property? For example some recent openings of large luxury hotels have had a favorable impact on rental values for Park City property management. On the other hand the addition of government subsidized housing has eaten up some of the bottom of the market. Pay attention to what the market in your area is doing. Are there new schools being opened or new business or development plans? What about a large employer going out of business? These factors have substantial impact on both property and rental values. If people are clamoring to rent in your area then rents go up. If you struggle to find tenants then consider keeping your rates static or even incentivizing to keep good tenants in place.
If you would like more information on rental pricing, market evaluation, or Park City property management please click the link below and schedule a free consultation. You will receive valuable information specific to your rental property along with a no-obligation quote on our property management services.
photo credit #1
photo credit #2
For as often as people rent properties in Park City property management I find it interesting how many misconceptions there are about what a landlord can and can't do and what a tenant can and can't do. Most people seem to think the landlord can do what they like, I mean they own the place right? Wrong, tenants have a fair amount of rights granted to them once a lease agreement has been executed. Today I would like to give some basic information about tenant rights and responsibilities as it pertains to Park City property management. This should be of great benefit not only to tenants looking to rent but also landlords looking for renters. Both parties have specific obligations spelled out in state law and knowing both sides of the rental agreement will help both parties out.
Tenant Rights
Tenants enjoy many of the same rights that an owner of a property would enjoy along with some additional rights. For example a tenant has a right to a safe and sanitary home. While an owner could choose to not have locks on their front doors and do nothing about a plumbing problem these items are the rights of a tenant. A tenant has the right to call a health our housing inspector if they feel there are possible code violations. A tenant, like a property owner, has the right to the quiet enjoyment of a property. They also have the right to privacy in a property. A landlord can enter a property at reasonable times for repairs or inspections but should attempt to notify a tenant first, the obvious exception being an emergency. A tenant also has the right to a written receipt for rents or deposits paid. This is particularly important if a tenant rents from a private individual or if they pay with cash or money orders. A tenant is also entitled to at least 15 day notice if the terms of a month to month oral lease agreement. Tenants also have the right to requested repairs being made in a timely manner. There are even laws regarding the amount of time certain types of repairs must be made in. For more information on time requirements you can check out my post Maintenance Laws For Park City Property Management here.
Tenant Responsibilities
With rights to a property come certain responsibilities. These are basic ones that apply to every rental property however there may be property-specific responsibilities spelled out in your lease. Among the foremost responsibilities of a tenant is to pay rent on time. I can't stress this enough, you are legally required to pay rent on time. Not only is this a law but you will find your landlord is a much more pleasant person to deal with if those payments are made at the first of the month, if not earlier! A tenant has a responsibility to take care of a property. Upon move out the property must be returned in the condition in which it was received, minus normal wear and tear. A tenant must inform their landlord when they will be away from the property for an extended amount of time. A tenant is also responsible for making maintenance requests and they must do so in writing. A tenant must be considerate of neighbors and keep the noise down. And finally a tenant must abide by the terms of the lease and provide at least 15 day notice when moving out, unless the lease specifies otherwise.
Summary
The state of Utah has excellent resources for both tenants and landlords that you can view by clicking here. The best recommendation I can make for any tenant is to read their lease before signing and be responsible and proactive in learning the rules of any community you make be living in. This will help set expectations and avoid many problems that can occur in renting a property.
If you would like more information about Park City property management sign up for a free, no obligation consultation.
photo credit #1
photo credit #2
In my very first blog post I wrote briefly about the necessity of properly screening tenants for Park City property management. If you would like to read my original post, 3 Tips For Successful Park City Property Management you may do so by clicking here. Today I would like to dive a little deeper into tenant screening and given you some of the top things you should do in order to find the right tenant for your property. Tenant screening cannot be stressed enough. Properly screening all potential applicants can be the difference between having great tenants who will take care of your investment and spending thousands of dollars and lots of your time trying to fix what the wrong tenants have ruined.
Verify Employment
When looking at prospective tenants you might think "I don't want a person with a dog", or "How soon can you move in", but what might go overlooked is how a person will pay the rent. Unless your tenant has a trust fund or parents paying rent you should be concerned if a person indicates they do not have a job on your application. And if you aren't using an application it is time to change your ways. An application should also ask gross monthly income. If your rent is $1200/month and the stated income is $1400/month there might be a problem. Having this information, along with a telephone number and name of the prospect's supervisor on your application is only the first step. You will also want to call the person listed as a supervisor to verify employment. This doesn't, and really shouldn't be a long conversation about their work habits and how much money they make. Just simply state who you are, that the prospect is applying to rent your property and you are calling to verify the employment they listed on the application. You really don't need to know more than this and employers cannot tell you more without violating the confidentiality of the employee. Now you know that your prospective tenant can pay let's take a look at some other useful things to check on in your Park City property management endeavors.
Rental History
It is said that past behavior can be a predictor of future behavior. While not fool proof a great way to see how a prospective tenant will behave is to check their rental history. Your 
application should ask for previous rental history, amount of time spent at the previous rental, monthly rent and landlord's contact information. If a person seems to have moved frequently in the past year and doesn't have a reasonable explanation for it then you should probably stop right there. You should also contact the previous landlord and ask them how the prospect was as a tenant. Did they pay rent on time? Were there any complaints against them? Did they take good care of the property? Would the landlord rent to them again? If they have a pet how did the animal behave and was there any damage caused by the animal? Asking these types of questions can help you weed out potential tenants who might be a problem and find great tenants who will take care of your property. You are turning over the care of an expensive asset to a person, you should make sure they are the right person for the job. A little effort here can save you a lot of headaches and money in Park City property management.
Background Check
A good background check is another tool in a landlord's toolbox to help determine if a potential
tenant is the right fit for your property. A background check should include a credit score, list of creditors, as well as criminal history based on the most recent address provided. Minor traffic violations and the like will not show but things like DUIs, felony convictions, sex offender registry, etc. will. Credit score should be taken with a grain of salt, in my opinion it is not the magical number that some use it as. Life circumstances such as divorce, a business closure, and medical problems can damage a credit score but not necessarily a person's ability to pay rent. Use your best judgment and you can end up with a great tenant.
If you would like more information about Park City property management sign up for a free, no obligation consultation.
photo credit #1
photo credit #2
photo credit #3
When it comes to Park City property management a good tenant is a wonderful asset to have. A property owner should have keeping good tenants as one of their primary concerns. Reduced turnover, a well maintained property, and timely rental payments are just some of the benefits a good tenant provides. Here are 5 tips that will help landlords keep those great tenants.
1. Respond Quickly to Requests and Follow Through
As a landlord you should respond quickly to maintenance requests. In fact there are specific laws explaining how you must respond to some types of requests. I detailed some of this information in my post titled "Maintenance Laws For Park City Property Management" that you can read by clicking here. It may not be a convenient time for you, Murphy's Law will probably make sure of that, but you should answer the request quickly and begin the process of repair immediately. Schedule work with your tenants at a time convenient for them and let them know in advance if you or someone else will be coming to make the repair. Keep in contact with your tenant during the repair and let them know when the work has been completed. Good tenants appreciate good landlords.
2. Be Professional
You should always be polite, honest, and impartial when dealing with tenants. If you have fond memories of living in your rental property and think tenants will pay a premium for your property you need to think again. Prospective tenants are looking for a place to live, not renting your emotions. You should treat every tenant with the same amount of respect and professionalism. If a tenant calls in need of something they don't want to hear a sob story about how bad your day was and that your boss yelled at you. They aren't interested in how little Billy's soccer game went and they probably don't want to attend Bobby Sue's dance recital. Keep it pleasant and professional in your Park City property management interactions.
3. Show Appreciation To Your Tenants
My brother is a great example of this. He has a single family home with private entrance to the basement that he rents to a family downstairs and two working professionals upstairs. Every so often he has what he calls "Tenant Appreciation Day". This usually consists of delivering a case of beer to the tenants and checking in to see how things are going. Compared to the amount of rent the tenants pay a case of beer doesn't amount to much but it is the perfect gift for them and they get a kick out of it. Little things like this make good tenants happy and make you look like an awesome landlord.
4. Allow Pets
These days many prospective tenants either have or want to acquire a pet. Deciding to accept pets opens you up to a wider pool from which to find tenants and this is always preferable. Make sure you take an extra deposit and charge monthly pet rent. Also make clear that the tenants are to clean up after their dog and quicky address the issue if they don't. If the property you rent is part of a home owner's association check to make sure what the rules are regarding tenants and pets. If the rules don't allow tenants to have pets then you shouldn't either. Make sure you also have some language in your lease regarding the pet responsibilities of the tenant in Park City property management.
5. Take Noise Or Other Complaints Seriously
If a tenant calls to complain about noise, criminal activity or some other type of nuisance you should respond immediately to the problem. Tenants have a right to the peaceful, safe enjoyment of a property and a landlord is responsible for providing this. If there are criminal problems in the area work with law enforcement or neighborhood watch programs to make the neighborhood safer. If there are nuisance or noise complaints follow the proper channels for solving these problems as well. Your tenants will thank you and are more likely to remain in a property because of your efforts.
If you would like more information about Park City property management download our free white page "5 Questions Every Landlord Should Ask Themselves".
photo credit #1
photo credit #2
By now, if you watch the news, you have heard of Charles Ramsey, the neighbor of kidnapping victims Amanda Berry, Georgina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight. Ramsey heroically rescued the women by kicking in their door and calling 911 after hearing cries for help from Berry. There are a few things everyone can learn from this situation that I think can benifit both landlords and tenants in Park City property management.
Judging A Book By Its Cover
When looking for a place to live most people will first look for a location that works for them. Is it close to work, family or friends, shopping, schools, etc. The next thing most people consider is the property itself. Does it have upgraded features or is it newly constructed? What condition are the carpet, paint and appliances in? Are the amenities to the property that I feel are
valuable? But something that people often overlook is the quality of the neighbors in the area which you are looking at. Take Charles Ramsey for instance. He doesn't live in the most luxurious neighborhood and isn't wearing a tuxedo for his television interview but when Ramsey was needed the most he was there. It takes a certain amount of courage and thoughtfulness to respond to a woman's cry for help, kick down the front door, and call the police. When a person was in trouble Ramsey was there to help and, despite appearances, would make a great neighbor for any of us to live by. You should strongly consider the caliber of people you live by when looking into Park City property management.
Doing Your Homework
How many of you, when looking at renting or buying a property, have knocked on the doors of your potential neighbors to see who they are and what the community is like? Probably very few. And yet how many problems in a community arise from disputes or disagreements between neighbors. If you are going to be spending any decent amount of time in a residence
you should make a effort to get to know your neighbors before committing to a property. If you are interested in a place take some time, preferably in the evening when most people are home, to knock on the doors of your potential neighbors and ask them about the community. Do they like their neighbors? Is it there much crime in the neighborhood? If you have children are there other children of similar age in the area? If your neighbors have children you can ask about the school district and their thoughts on the teachers. Have there been disputes between neighbors in the past and if so what were the disputes about? Is it a quiet neighborhood? What about people nearby who smoke, are there any dangerous animals being kept, is the street the property sites on normally busy or quiet? Whatever issues are important to you when deciding where to live are great sources of questions to ask your potential neighbors. You may find that while the neighborhood is well maintained and upscale the neighbors are unfriendly or just plain rude. Or, while it may not be the nicest neighborhood, you could be lucky enough to live next to a Charles Ramsey.
Summary
There are many things to consider when renting or buying a property. Park City property management is a great resource for helping you think about the questions you should ask and guiding you to getting the answers. Feel out your potential neighbors when looking to move and don't judge a book by its cover, you could end up living next to a hero.
If you are interested in learning more about property management Park City Utah, download our free white page "5 Questions Every Landlord Should Ask Themselves".
photo credit 1
photo credit 2
In my experience most people, when made aware of the rules, will make an honest effort at doing the right thing. As a Park City property managment company I try and arm tenants will all the knowledge necessary to make their rental experience an enjoyable one. I've created these few tips to help tenants maintain a positive relationship with their landlord or property manager. These are a few of the common mistakes or misunderstandings I see tenants make through the course of renting a property and I hope that by making this information available it can be of benefit to both tenants and landlords.
Pay On Time
If rent is due on the 1st and late on the 5th then when should you pay rent by? This is somewhat of a trick question because I gave you the answer. If rent is due on the 1st then pay on the 1st. Or better yet pay before the first. From the perspective of a landlord on time payment is huge and paying ahead of time is even better. The last thing a landlord or property management company wants to do is chase rent, post notices and fees, and hound tenants every month to pay rent. In today's rental environment there are so many methods of payment, from online payment portals, credit or debit cards, and auto deposit, to banks automatically sending checks out each month there really isn't an excuse for not paying on time. I put this tip first because it is the biggest. Paying on time makes landlords happy, you can rest easy knowing your bills are paid, and a sense of trust will develop beyond the bounds of a simple lease agreement.
Written Requests
If the property you reside in is in need of some maintenance one of the best ways to submit your request is in writing. Many leases require this and it will help your landlord track and 
manage maintenance requests so they may be quickly completed. A phone call is also useful and can be done in conjunction with a written request, especially if there is more or new information about the maintenance that needs to occur. However writing should always be the primary means of communicating a request. Stopping a maintenance technician while you are on your way out and asking them to take care of a long list of items is a sure way to create less than adequate results and multiple visits. Just take a moment to let your landlord or rental property manager know in writing what is required and you will be much happier with the results.
Rent Deduction
Most leases clearly spell out any parameters for rent deduction but if they do not you should
never, without your landlord's permission, deduct from your rent the cost of any maintenance repairs or any other item you feel should be paid for by the landlord. If you are willing to enact a repair on your own and you are qualified to do so always check with your landlord first. Submitting the request for maintenance and your proposal to fix it in writing is always the way to go. Please do not go out and buy a new microwave when the old one decides to die. Always run this by the landlord first to see what their plans are for the property. In my experience some landlords will want to replace some or all of the appliances to update the property. So check with your landlord first before making a purchase on their behalf.
Lots Of Notice
Sometimes life can throw you a curve ball requiring you to pick up your life and move somewhere else. But most of the time you will have a pretty good idea of if and when you will need to move. Most leases have specific requirements on the amount of notice that must be provided at the end of a lease. There are also state laws that you should also be aware of. But the best practice is to give as much notice as possible to your landlord. If it is January and you know you will be moving when your lease is up at the end of March don't wait. Be a courteous tenant and give advanced notice of your move. This leaves a great impression with your landlord and they will be a stellar rental history reference going forward.
If you are interested in learning more about Park City property management download our free white page "5 Questions Every Landlord Should Ask Themselves".