Should I fire my property manager or am I crazy?

Question

The tenants moved out of our rental over 2 weeks ago, and I have not heard anything from property management about it, no is it listed on their website as available. I realize it takes a little time to clean, repair, etc., but if the PM knew their lease was up, why wouldn't they list it as available on a future date or at least notify us? We live next door, so we know no one has been there to clean, mow, etc. What is a reasonable expectation? We have planned for vacancy of course, but we would also like to see them working to get it rented in a timely matter. Am I being too crazy? TIA!!!

Michael Plante · Answer

What did the PM say when you asked them about this?

I would suggest as was said above to manage it yourself

Steve Milford · Answer

@Gia LaForge Not to sound harsh, but you are asking us, a bunch of strangers, whether or not the communication with the agency you've have hired is appropriate or not? Just communicate with them. If they are not communicating as you expect, then communicate with them that and determine if it is still appropriate for them to be your PM.

If I lived next door to my rental, I would just do it myself and save whatever fee if cost. It doesn't take much time at all to self-manage.

Rodney Sums · Answer

Was it the end of their lease or did they break it and move unbeknownst to the PM? If this was the end of the lease then yes, your PM has issues and you need another one. If they moved by surprised and aren't late on the rent (for example, paid rent on the first, moved on the 7th, two weeks from the 7th rent isn't late yet), that's about the only way I can see the PM having no communication with you.

Unfortunately many PMs, even good ones, need a nudge from the landlord to get the ball rolling on cleaning, repairing, and listing. It's not uncommon for each manager within an agency to have 100s of properties assigned to themselves. Ive never had a turnover be completely hands off.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Are you sure the Tenant ended their lease amicably? If I were a betting man, I would bet the tenant abandoned the rental.

Contact your PM and ask. Personally, I would have asked this question within days of seeing the Tenant move out, not two weeks later.

James Peters · Answer

I would give the PM the opportunity to answer your questions.

Lack of communication sucks but maybe their is a reason.

I use tenant placement services and many of them never have to advertise the unit because they already have a stream of clients looking for units.

Manco Snead · Answer

Without a doubt, manage it yourself.

Diana Dorantes · Answer

@Gia LaForge, we have several property managers in various areas of our state. Just replaced 2 of them. I kept wanting to give them some time because of family illness but with me calling as well as emailing and texting, and them taking days if not a couple weeks to get back to me.... time to move on. You may want to talk with them. I like showing up at their office. If you don't let them KNOW your expectations they might not have your property on the top of their list.

Maxim Lorenz · Answer

@Gia LaForge I had a similar situation for the most part last year. I ended up not renewing with my PM after tenants moved out and started to self manage. So far, so good.

Drew Sygit · Answer

@Gia LaForge can't comment as you haven't given us all the facts.

What did your PMC say when you asked them about the situation?

As to why they didn't market with a future date, that is rarely practical for the following reasons:

1) No guarantee the current tenants will vacate per lease. Many tenants currently are having problems finding new rentals to move to.
2) Crazies may see ad and door knock anyways - upsetting current tenants, causing them to be more difficult during their MoveOut.
3) No idea what the property condition is and how long it will take to RentReady

Property owners always want their properties marketed ASAP, but rarely stop to think through these logical points!

Should I fire my property manager or am I crazy?

Should I fire my property manager or am I crazy?

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