$120 vacancy fee charged by property manager - anyone seen this?
I own rental properties in CA, TX and FL, and the property manager in TX (north Houston area) told me that they will now be charging a $120 vacancy fee to cover their work during a vacancy. They say it's customary. This seems like it's adding insult to injury, given there's no income coming in during a vacancy, and that's about what they get monthly as their fee when a tenant is in place. Further, they get the first month rent as "commission" when they re-rent the place (SFR). Has anyone seen this? It is NOT customary in my experience in CA or FL markets where I invest. Keep in mind it took them 4+ months to re-rent the 4/3 home; it was vacant June-mid October. There's an abundance of new construction and many homes up for rent.