Property Management fee on Unoccupied?

[Todd Krzeminski]

I have two properties that are currently vacant. My property manager is still charging me the PM fee, which was a surprise. 10% of zero rent is zero. The management agreement does say 10% or rent or $75 whichever is greater, but I think it's unreasonable. They are already getting first month's rent for filling the tenant, why should I be paying them for not doing their job getting it tenanted?

Am I overreacting -- is this typical? 

[Sam R.]

Start shopping for a new management company. Charging for unoccupied units is not typical, but it does happen as you have found out. Early on in my investing, I had a manager doing that. He basically had no incentive to find a tenant.