Best Reasons to Choose RE/MAX Elite for Your Melbourne Property Management

Top Reasons You Should Not Manage Your Own Rental Property in Melbourne, FL

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 21:00:03 GMT

Managing your own rental property might seem easy enough, and a lot of landlords expect DIY property management to be a breeze. However, it has become a lot more complicated in recent years, especially in the competitive Melbourne, Florida rental market.

Renting out a home takes a lot of time and if you want to do it successfully, it requires a lot of experience. If you have a full-time job of your own, family responsibilities, or other passions that don’t include clogged toilets, collecting late rent payments, and learning the latest fair housing laws, you will have a better investment experience if you hand over the management responsibilities to a qualified Melbourne property manager .

Today, we want to share some of the main reasons that DIY property management doesn’t really work.

Making an Expensive Legal Mistake is Surprisingly Easy

Even experienced investors make mistakes when they try to manage their own properties, and unfortunately, those errors have become quite costly. Generally, Florida is still a landlord-friendly state. But, we’ve talked to numerous rental property owners who have found themselves in a lot of trouble over habitability issues, fair housing laws, and evictions that they tried to manage on their own.

For example, if you don’t understand the security deposit laws in Florida, you can find yourself in court. If you don’t know the difference between a service animal, an emotional support animal, and a pet, you could find yourself on the wrong end of a fair housing or discrimination lawsuit.

Professional property managers will protect you from mistakes, emotional decisions, tenant disputes, and legal claims. We are always updating our lease agreements, contracts, and policies to reflect the new laws, and we educate our staff on everything they need to know to keep you and your property compliant.

Many landlords realized that DIY property management is dangerous during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maybe you’ve struggled to collect rent from tenants who were impacted by a job loss or salary reduction. With evictions temporarily banned, what can you do to get your rent collected? A professional property manager has planned for this. We know how to communicate with tenants and keep you out of trouble.

Melbourne Property Managers Understand the Local Rental Market

Professional property managers follow the trends and requirements of the local real estate and rental markets. We understand what homes are renting for, what tenants want in a property, and how to market to a wide pool of well-qualified prospects.

This knowledge can save you money on long vacancy times. It can help you price your rental home correctly, and it can help you make improvements and updates to your property so it’s more attractive to the best tenants.

Many landlords choose DIY property management over professional property management because they think they’re saving money. Actually, you’re more in danger of losing money by not pricing your property correctly, allowing a longer than necessary vacancy, wasting time during turnovers, and paying too much for maintenance services.

Placing the Wrong Tenant is a Disaster for Your Investment

Everyone has heard one or two horror stories about tenants that didn’t pay rent or those who broke their lease and snuck out in the middle of the night. Many landlords worry about property damage or unauthorized dogs attacking neighbors.

You can’t be too careful with tenants, and that’s why a rigorous screening process must be in place. When you manage your own home, you often don’t have access to the nationwide credit, eviction, and criminal background checks that you need. You might not have the time to verify income and employment, and you might feel uncomfortable calling current or former landlords to perform reference checks.

Property managers make a point of finding and placing the best and most qualified tenants in your home. You can count on marketing that’s more strategic and screening that’s more thorough. The result is a better tenant who will take care of your rental property and follow the lease terms.

Maintenance Costs Are Controlled

Most Melbourne property management companies get discounts from the best vendors and contractors in the area. We provide them with a large volume of work, so they provide us with the most affordable prices. When you are an individual landlord, you’ll find you’re paying more for plumbers, electricians, landscapers, and even handyman services.

Don’t wait too long to hire professional Melbourne property managers. We can deliver a better and less stressful rental experience. Contact our team at RE/MAX Elite.

RE/MAX Elite has been providing world-class property management service to Eastern Florida since 2006. We serve all of Brevard County, including Melbourne, SunTree, Viera, Palm Bay, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach, Rockledge, Satellite Beach, Indialantic, Titusville and Mims.

How to Successfully Market Your Rental Property | Melbourne, FL Property Management

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 21:00:03 GMT

Marketing your rental home is one of the most critical aspects of owning an investment property. A successful marketing plan can limit your vacancy time, increase the amount of rent you’re earning, and attract high-quality tenants in Melbourne, Florida.

One of the best reasons to hire a professional Melbourne property management company is that you’ll have access to great marketing strategies and advertising resources. Property managers understand the market trends and follow important data shifts. We like to track the number of days competing properties are on the market and how much those homes rented for. This helps us develop a comprehensive and effective marketing strategy.

Take Professional Photos

Photographs in an online rental listing are your opportunity to make a great first impression. This is your digital curb appeal. Tenants are going to scroll through your pictures before they read the description or the rental requirements. If you can do it, include a walk-through video. This gives prospective renters an idea of how the place looks, and while your description and written information are important, the photographs and videos will reach new tenants on an emotional level.

Online Advertising for Melbourne Rental Homes

Your next tenants are looking for a new home online. We’re all using the internet for everything these days, and online rental sites are important when marketing your vacant rental property. A good online ad will have the engaging photographs as well as accurate descriptions and all your contact information. Include important details like rental amount and whether pets are allowed.

There’s Still a Place for Signage

While most tenants are looking for properties online, it’s still a good idea to put a sign in the yard. People are probably driving and walking through the neighborhood, and a For Rent sign can get their attention. Neighbors might know someone who wants to move.

Create a professional sign that is attention-grabbing and informational. It must include some basic information about the property, such as number of bedrooms and rental price. Make sure your phone number or other contact information is also on the sign you post.

Make Your Rental Home Move-in Ready

Marketing will lead to showings, and you have to be sure the property is ready to rent. This means that a tenant could potentially move into the home right now. When you market and show an occupied property, take the necessary precautions to protect the current tenant’s privacy and safety.

Be Responsive and Schedule Showings

If your marketing plans are working, you’ll begin to receive inquiries from prospective tenants who have questions about your property and want to see the home. Be prepared. You will have to be responsive and willing to show the property when it’s convenient for tenants. Some landlords like to be there when a tenant is walking through the property. Others provide self-showing technology, which usually includes a lockbox and a security code.

Whatever you decide, remember that good tenants have a lot of choices. Don’t wait too long to return their phone calls and their messages. Be responsive and available. Follow up. The best marketing strategy in the world won’t do much for you if you’re unwilling to talk to prospective renters.

If you’d like some help marketing and leasing your home from a professional Melbourne property management company, we’d love to be your resource. Contact our team at RE/MAX Elite.

Signs You Need to Hire a New Melbourne, FL Property Management Company

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 21:04:25 GMT

When you hire a Melbourne property management company, you’re expecting a long-term relationship. Change is scary, especially when continuity is so critical for your real estate investments.

Hiring a new property manager can be a good thing, however, especially if you’re not getting the service or the value you need. You’re entitled to high quality Melbourne property management, and if you’re not getting what you expect and need, it might be time to look around for another property manager. You don’t have to settle for mediocre property management in Florida.

Here are some of the signs that might indicate you should be looking elsewhere.

You’re Having Trouble Communicating

When it comes to managing vacancies and tenants and maintenance, nearly everything starts with communication. You need a property management company that is responsive and accessible. If your manager isn’t available to you, that probably indicates he or she is not available to your tenants either. Residents need to reach your property manager if there’s an emergency or a problem, and you need to reach your property manager when you have questions or concerns.

A lack of communication is not okay. If your phone calls aren’t getting answered and messages aren’t being returned, you need to find a management company that takes communication seriously. It’s hard to trust people who won’t talk to you.

Late or Missing Rent and Non-Compliant Tenants

Tenant screening should be rigorous, consistent, and thorough. If you’re finding that tenants are routinely late with rent, needing to be evicted, or violating the terms of the lease, your property managers are not doing a great job with tenant screening. They’re also not doing much to develop and sustain positive and respectful relationships with your renters.

Late rent payments are a problem, especially if it’s happening all the time. Dangerous Pit Bulls in a no-pet home are also a problem. Your property manager should be expected to collect rent on time and enforce your lease agreement.

When you have good tenants in place but they are always leaving after just one year, you are faced with additional turnover and vacancy costs. That could mean your property manager isn’t responsive or focused on tenant retention. Don’t be afraid to switch management companies if you seem to be losing tenants or losing money in security deposit disputes and other claims and lawsuits.

Accounting Reports are Inaccurate or Unclear

Rental property accounting should be part of the services your management company provides. They should be tracking the income and expenses associated with your property and if you’re not receiving monthly accounting statements, you should ask why. These days, nearly every reputable property management company in Melbourne, Florida is providing an online portal for owners so they can log on and see invoices that have been paid, rent that has been collected, and when the last deposit was made.

You Get No More than the Basics

Any property manager with some experience and training can place a tenant and collect rent.

However, it takes a local and industry expert to help you navigate the laws, requirements, and market conditions that go into managing an investment home. If you’re interested in growing your investment portfolio, you’ll need to rely on your Melbourne property manager to identify new opportunities. You’ll want access to market data and forecasts and trends. You should expect advice and input on everything from pricing your property to renewing lease agreements to adjusting your investment goals.

If you’re not getting a lot of expertise and resources, you should find a property manager who is passionate about the industry and willing to help your investments perform better.

If you have any questions or you’d like to talk about the process of switching Melbourne, Florida property management companies, please contact us at RE/MAX Elite. We can provide a smooth transition.

How to Professionally Handle the Eviction Process in Melbourne, FL

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 21:03:44 GMT

To professionally evict a tenant in Melbourne, you’ll have to do three important things. First, you have to serve a Pay or Quit Notice. Next, you’ll have to file your eviction in court. Finally, you’ll have to obtain a Writ of Possession so you can legally remove the tenant and get your property back.

If a tenant moves out before the end of the process, the process will be faster and less expensive.

You never know how things will move along when you need to evict a tenant. Your residents can be unpredictable, especially if they’re facing financial stress and housing uncertainty.

Today, we’re talking about how to handle the eviction process without getting emotionally involved and making some of the common mistakes we often see landlords make. Florida is a fairly landlord-friendly state, and evicting a tenant isn’t complicated. However, it can be confusing if you’ve never done it before. Even a simple mistake can set your case back and cost you more time and money.

Serving a Three Day Notice to Pay or Quit

Reasons for terminating a tenancy include failure to pay rent, violation of a lease or rental agreement, and illicit activities. Most landlords will evict because a tenant isn’t paying rent. When that happens, the first step is serving a Three Day Notice to Pay or Quit. That essentially gives the tenants three days to catch up with the overdue rent or move out.

Serve the tenant with the notice in person or post it to the door and send a copy through the mail. In a best case scenario, you’ll get the rent paid and nothing more needs to be done. If those three business days come and go without a rental payment or evidence that the tenants have moved out of the property, you need to begin the process of pursuing a legal eviction through the courts.

Filing for Eviction in a Melbourne, Florida Court

The next step is to go to the clerk of your county and file the necessary eviction paperwork. Bring a copy of your Three Day Notice and a copy of your lease agreement. You’ll need to fill out some paperwork and pay a fee.

The court will serve a Summons and Complaint on your tenants. They will have an opportunity to respond to the Complaint. If they do, a court date will be set. You’ll need to show up for court with all of the documentation that proves they have not followed their lease agreement by keeping up with rent.

You may have the opportunity to avoid eviction before the court date arrives. Your tenants can ask for a payment plan or they can move out before the eviction gets to the courts. Decide whether your ultimate goal is to collect the rent and keep them in place or have them removed from the property. With the recent pandemic, eviction moratoriums have caused a huge backlog in court systems across the country, including south Florida. If you can work something out with your tenants, we recommend you try.

Obtaining a Writ of Possession

Once you are able to prove that rent has not been paid and the tenants should be removed, the judge will issue a Writ of Possession and give the tenants a specific date by which they must leave. If they don’t, you’ll have to ask the sheriff to enforce the Writ and physically remove them from the property.

It’s easy to get frustrated when rent isn’t being paid and you just want your tenant out of your property. But, it’s crucial to follow the appropriate laws when evicting a tenant. Failure to do so may make the eviction invalid. Florida law states that a tenant can only be removed if the landlord wins an eviction lawsuit in court. You cannot personally remove a tenant. You cannot change the locks or turn off the utilities.

If you need help evicting a tenant or, better yet, preventing an eviction, contact us at RE/MAX Elite. It’s always better to have the experience and knowledge of a Melbourne property management company behind you when you’re fighting to get the rent paid or a tenant removed.

How to Perform a Rental Property Inspection in Melbourne, FL

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 21:00:02 GMT

Rental inspections can help Melbourne landlords identify potential maintenance issues and make sure their tenants are following the terms of their lease. When you’re planning and conducting a rental inspection at your property, make sure you’re thorough and detailed. Visit every single room, open every single door, and take a look at every single floor, ceiling, and wall.

We also recommend using a checklist so you can make notes throughout the inspection. Take a lot of pictures, too.

The things you look for during the inspection will depend on your reasons for the inspection. When you’re doing a move-in inspection, you’re documenting the condition of the home and ensuring all the safety and habitability requirements have been met. During the move-out inspection, you’re making decisions about the security deposit. .

A few important items belong on every rental inspection checklist.

Checking Faucets, Sinks, and Tubs

Turn on every faucet and look under every sink for potential leaks. Water can do damage to a property faster than any other problem. Take care of any leaks you find immediately, no matter how minor they seem. A simple dripping faucet can turn into a major leak under the sink that causes rot and mold.

Outside, look for areas where water might be getting inside the house. Inspect your irrigation or sprinkler systems.

Look for Potential Repairs and Replacements

The rental inspections you conduct before a tenant moves in are meant to ensure the property is ready for occupancy. Everything must be functioning the way it should. Check each electrical outlet, turn on all the lights, and run the appliances. Make sure the doors and windows are locking and check light bulbs, air filters, and smoke detectors. Take a close look at the plumbing and the air conditioning. HVAC systems work overtime in Florida, and you’ll want to make sure your cooling system is in good condition.

Inspect for Cleanliness and Upkeep

Everyone has different standards of cleanliness. You can’t expect your tenant to keep a home as clean as you might, yourself. But, you can expect that things are in order and there are no safety issues or pest issues due to dirt, food, and other messes.

When you’re doing a move-in inspection, you need to make sure everything is perfectly clean. Baseboards and ceiling fans should be free of dust, kitchens and bathrooms should sparkle, and the home should look and smell beautiful. When you’re doing a move-out inspection, you expect the same level of cleanliness after a tenant leaves. If the property clearly has not been cleaned, make notes and take pictures so you can withhold cleaning costs from the security deposit.

Look in hidden places. Check the condition of the walls behind doors. It’s possible there are dents in the drywall where the doorknob might have slammed against the wall. Check for scratches on the floor and tears in the window screens.

Inspections to Enforce Lease Agreements

During routine maintenance inspections, make sure your tenant is following the lease. This is a good time to look for unauthorized pets and to make sure there aren’t extra people who aren’t on the lease living in the home. Check for evidence of smoking or illegal activity.

Inspections are also a good time to talk to your tenants. You want to make sure expectations are being met, and you also want to make sure those residents are happy and have everything they need.

These are just a few of the things you should include on your rental property inspection checklist whenever you’re inside your Melbourne rental property. We can provide detailed inspections for a reasonable charge in order to ensure your property is well-maintained and in excellent condition.

For more information about inspections or anything pertaining to Melbourne property management, please contact us at RE/MAX Elite.

Best Reasons to Choose RE/MAX Elite for Your Melbourne Property Management

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 21:00:02 GMT

When you’re looking for property management in Melbourne, Florida , we know you have a lot of options. At RE/MAX Elite, we’re confident that our team is the best property management solution for you, whether you’re renting out one home that you once lived in or an entire portfolio of real estate investments. We work with single-family homes and multi-family units. We know the local market and we’re leaders in our industry.

There are hundreds of good reasons to work with us. Today, we’re focusing on just a few of the benefits you can enjoy when you work with our talented group of leasing agents and property managers.

Industry Experience and Local Expertise

We have more than six decades of real estate and property management experience in Melbourne. With RE/MAX Elite, you get the unique benefit of a locally based team supported by a national powerhouse with an exceptional reputation in real estate. We know the local market better than anyone, and this helps us establish the right rental value, understand the shifting rental trends, and meet the needs of both owners and residents.

We also have industry expertise. Our team is always learning. We work with local networks and national organizations to stay on top of changing laws and best practices. New technology is always showing up and it allows us to manage your properties efficiently and cost effectively. Our experience isn’t in just one area. It’s in the entire industry and it’s focused on the Melbourne rental market.

Protecting Your Melbourne Rental Home

Protecting the condition of your investment is one of our most important responsibilities. We do this with thorough inspections and hundreds of before and after pictures. We take care of emergency maintenance issues within hours of the problem being reported. We use local vendors who are insured, licensed, and professional.

Our tenant screening process is rigorous, fair, and consistent. It results in well-qualified residents and less risk of property damage, eviction, and tenant disputes. We conduct nationwide criminal background checks and eviction searches. We look at FICO scores and we verify income.

Working Together as a Melbourne Property Management Team

The property management team at RE/MAX Elite is professional, talented, and experts in their field. We work with in-house accountants, management assistants, and maintenance coordinators. When you call about your property, everyone who answers the phone will know how to help you because we document everything and we know our properties, our owners, and our residents.

Our marketing superstars will list your vacant property on several outlets and manage showings. Our bookkeepers will manage online rent payments and make deposits directly into your account. The communication flows easily within our office and out to our vendors, tenants, and owners. There are no excuses and very few mistakes. We work together to manage your property effectively and efficiently.

There is a lot more to tell you about why you should choose our team to manage your Melbourne rental home. Contact us at RE/MAX Elite, and we’ll discuss the particulars of your specific property and how we can help you have a better rental experience.

A Florida Tenant Background Check Helps to Protect Your Investment Property

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 16:01:38 GMT

Part of every good tenant screening process is the tenant background check. You want to know as much as you can about your potential resident as possible. Before you hand over the keys to one of your most valuable assets, make sure you are renting your home to someone who is financially responsible, unlikely to cause damage, and willing to communicate.

Our leasing process includes a fair, consistent, and legally compliant tenant screening. There are a few things you want to spend some time checking, and we’re covering those areas in today’s blog.

Tenant Screening and Fair Housing

When you screen a tenant, you look at their backgrounds and you ensure that all of the information they provided on the application is true and accurate. This is how you decide whether you’ll approve them for tenancy or deny their application. You have to be consistent and treat every application the same, otherwise you can be accused of discrimination.

Good tenants can and must be found while following all fair housing laws. Put your screening process in writing and let your tenants know what you’ll be looking for before they submit an application. Then, you can trust your process.

Tenant Screening and Credit Reports

A good credit score doesn’t necessarily mean you have a good tenant. But, a credit history that shows a respect for financial responsibilities is a good way to start screening for an outstanding resident. Check for patterns of financial behavior. You don’t want to see any overdue debts to former landlords or apartment communities.

You definitely don’t want to see a history of past evictions. Good residents pay their utility bills on time. You can also use the credit report to verify addresses and residencies. If anything looks strange during the screening process, you can ask your applicant to explain.

Tenant Screening: Criminal Background Checks

A nationwide background check is also necessary. You want to make sure you’re not placing a tenant who has a history of violent behavior or drug charges. We recommend checking every national database that lists sexual offenders and sexual predators. Make sure your applicants provide permission for you to conduct this check; you’ll need a signature on the application.

Tenant Screening: Verify Employment and Income

Check employment and verify income. You can call the applicant’s employer and ask about the position that’s held, the length of employment, and salary. You can also ask for documentation from the applicant like pay stubs and tax returns. Our requirements for single-family homes and condos is that a renter earns at least three times the monthly rent. So, if the rental amount is $1,500 per month, the income has to meet or exceed $4,500 per month.

Tenant Screening Includes Rental History

Verify the applicant’s rental history, and talk to current and former landlords. We have a prior landlord questionnaire that we submit for completion. This allows us to find out if rent was paid on time, whether any property damage was left behind, and if the lease terms were followed. We also verify that the dates of residency match up to what’s on the application.

These are some of the screening tools we use to ensure we’re placing only the best residents in your property. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help with your leasing process, please contact us at RE/MAX Elite, and we’d be happy to tell you more.

What Can I Do If My Tenant Has an Unauthorized Pet? Melbourne Property Management

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 16:56:10 GMT

Ideally, you’ll talk to your property manager in Melbourne about establishing your rental property pet policy before you even begin advertising your rental home. You’ll definitely want to know about any pets before a tenant moves into the property. However, tenants aren’t always forthcoming about having pets, and sometimes they’ll acquire a pet after they move in, without informing you. Today, we’re talking about what you should do when you discover an unauthorized pet at your property.

Collect Evidence of the Pet

If you drive by a property and you see that a tenant has an unauthorized pet, you need to collect some sort of evidence. You can take a picture or a video, and do whatever you can to document that there’s a pet on the property.

Talk to the Tenant

After you collect the evidence and you are back at the office, call the tenant. Let them know that you were at the property earlier, and you saw the pet. Let them know that you’ll be posting a 7 Day Notice to Cure.

Decide Whether to Accept the Pet

At this point, we will post the 7 Day Notice to Cure at the property, and then we get in touch with the property owner to let them know what’s going on. We will ask the owner if pets are acceptable if the tenant wants to keep the animal and is willing to pay a pet fee. If the owner says yes, we tell the tenant that it’s possible to keep the pet, and we collect the appropriate fee. If the owner says no to pets, we let the tenant know they have those seven days to re-home the pet. If the tenant does not take care of this matter, we will have to proceed with an eviction because the tenant is in violation of the lease.

If you have any questions about pets or anything pertaining to Melbourne property management, please contact RE/MAX ELITE’s Property Management Division today!

Why You Need to Use Licensed & Insured Vendors for Your Melbourne Rental Property

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 16:53:32 GMT

When you’re choosing vendors for your rental property in Melbourne, it’s extremely important that you work with professionals who are licensed and insured. Many times, we will have property owners say that they have a friend or they have an acquaintance who can go over to the property and do the work for a lot less than the vendors we usually schedule to make repairs. It’s true that you might pay a little more for a licensed and insured vendor, but it’s well worth it to you for a number of reasons

Avoiding Liability

One of the reasons you hire a Melbourne property manager is so that you and your property are protected. When people are on your property to perform repairs, you face a huge liability. An advantage to using a licensed and insured vendor is that when the vendor comes over with workers and they are on your property, everyone there is covered by the vendor’s insurance. If someone gets injured on your property, that can be a lot of legal exposure for you. You don’t want to put yourself at risk for losing your investment property because of one lawsuit that involves an unlicensed vendor and uninsured workers.

Protecting Your Investment

So, you might have to pay a little more for a licensed and insured vendor or contractor, but it’s money you’re spending to protect your investment property. With professional vendors, you can also be sure that you’re getting high quality work, and the vendor will stand behind that work. This protects the condition of your property.

When your Melbourne property management company wants to send licensed and insured vendors to complete repairs or maintenance on your property, it’s because they are looking out for you. If you have any questions about this, please don’t hesitate to contact RE/MAX ELITE’s Property Management Division today!

Melbourne, FL Rental Property Maintenance Questions Answered

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 16:51:45 GMT

Rental property maintenance is an important part of our Melbourne property management services. When a tenant has a maintenance issue or wants to place a work order with the company, there’s an easy process for them to follow. We have had tenants who tried to contact the company manager or the maintenance supervisor directly, but we now have a fantastic program in place through our state of the art software program that keeps our process consistent and efficient.

Online Maintenance Request System

By utilizing our system, tenants are able to submit a maintenance request online. This allows the tenant to detail what the maintenance concern is, and we don’t have to try and second-guess what the tenant is trying to say. Once the request is submitted, it goes to the maintenance supervisor, the property manager, and the director. That way, we can make sure we get timely notification of any maintenance issues occurring with an owner’s property.

Assigning a Vendor

Once the property manager receives the notice, we can look at it and determine which vendor would be best to work on the problem. We assign that vendor, and the property manager also makes a detailed instruction to the vendor outlining what the expected outcome is. Once that is complete, the property manager will send an email to the vendor, the tenant, and a copy to the property owner so the owner is aware of the problem and what is happening.

Resolution and Invoice

Once the problem is resolved, the vendor will invoice and we’ll clear it all through the same system. This is a diverse program we use so we can keep account and track what maintenance is being done on the properties. It’s all in one system! Accounting clears the bill, we have a history of what happened, and we can do an analysis for the owner if they want to talk about how this impacts the condition of their property.

If you’re wondering about how maintenance for my rental property works, or you have any questions about Melbourne property management, please contact RE/MAX ELITE’s Property Management Division today!

How to Handle Late Rent – Melbourne, FL Landlord Education

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 15:45:45 GMT

A Melbourne property manager deals with collecting rent from tenants every day. Today, we’re discussing what to do when a tenant is late paying rent, and how to make sure you get that money coming in on time.

Rent Collection Process

At RE/MAX ELITE, we have a low percentage of delinquent rents due to the process we have in place. On Friday, we get our delinquent report and if a tenant is on there, we give them a call and send out their tenant statement by email and by regular mail. Tenants should know when rent is due and they should know when they haven’t paid it, but with this process, the tenant cannot say that they never got any communication from us that they owed rent. They know when it is due and they know they haven’t paid it, but sometimes they look for an excuse. Our willingness to communicate keeps our delinquency percentage low.

Three Day Notice

If we don’t hear anything from the tenants after this attempt to contact them, we place a 12-hour notice for an Entry Inspection on their front door, as well as a Three-Day Notice of Eviction. This usually gets their attention, and usually we hear from them right away. If we don’t hear from them, we have two phone numbers for references and an emergency number we can use to try to contact them. We also have the phone number for their employer. We call those numbers to get in touch with them. Most tenants do not like people calling their emergency numbers and their references because they don’t want people knowing they are behind on rent. But, our objective for our owners is to get that rent collected as quickly as possible so we can deposit that money into the owner’s account.

Following a specific and consistent process will help you be successful in collecting rent on time and avoiding delinquencies. If you have any questions about rent collection or anything involving Melbourne property management, please contact your friends over at RE/MAX ELITE today.

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Top Reasons You Should Not Manage Your Own Rental Property in Melbourne, FL

How to Successfully Market Your Rental Property | Melbourne, FL Property Management

Top 10 Questions to Ask a Professional Melbourne Property Manager in Florida

Signs You Need to Hire a New Melbourne, FL Property Management Company

How to Professionally Handle the Eviction Process in Melbourne, FL

How to Perform a Rental Property Inspection in Melbourne, FL

Best Reasons to Choose RE/MAX Elite for Your Melbourne Property Management

A Florida Tenant Background Check Helps to Protect Your Investment Property

What Can I Do If My Tenant Has an Unauthorized Pet? Melbourne Property Management

Why You Need to Use Licensed & Insured Vendors for Your Melbourne Rental Property

Melbourne, FL Rental Property Maintenance Questions Answered

How to Handle Late Rent – Melbourne, FL Landlord Education