Closing an occupied duplex w/ property mgr, wanting to self manage

Eugene, Oregon
Managing Your Property
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Closing an occupied duplex w/ property mgr, wanting to self manage

Bonnie Glidewell
Member since 2025 · 8 posts · 2 votes

Hi BP self-managing landlords! We are a few weeks out of closing on our first duplex. It's currently managed by a PM, but we want to self manage. What are some best practice, steps and successful strategies can you share with me as I think about the transition? Any lessons learned I should be aware of? 

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Keith Jablonowski
Property Manager · Lombard, IL · Member since 2013 · 99 posts · 82 votes
1y

Need to reach out to the current PM and get started collecting this information.

  • Lease Agreement –
  • Resident Contact Information – Names, number of occupants, email addresses, and phone numbers.
  • Current Ledger – A detailed record of the resident’s payment history and any outstanding balances.
  • Notices or Correspondence – Any relevant notices sent to the resident, including renewal offers or warnings.
  • Security Deposit Information – Details on the security deposit amount and its transfer.
  • Resident Status – Whether the resident is current, up for renewal, delinquent, or in the process of eviction.
  • Maintenance History – A record of recent maintenance requests and any ongoing issues.
  • Utility Information – Any utilities billed through the landlord, including provider details and current status.
  • Keys, Remotes, and Access Codes – Physical and electronic access to the property, such as keys, garage remotes, and gate codes.
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    • Tony Savage
      Real Estate Broker · San Diego, CA · Member since 2016 · 187 posts · 117 votes
      1y

      Hi Bonnie,

      You will be going the new owner of the duplex.  You do not have to honor the current property management agreement.  That agreement is with the seller not you; communicate with the seller via escrow that you will not be needing the current property managers services.

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    • Keith Jablonowski
      Property Manager · Lombard, IL · Member since 2013 · 99 posts · 82 votes
      1y

      Need to reach out to the current PM and get started collecting this information.

    • Lease Agreement –
    • Resident Contact Information – Names, number of occupants, email addresses, and phone numbers.
    • Current Ledger – A detailed record of the resident’s payment history and any outstanding balances.
    • Notices or Correspondence – Any relevant notices sent to the resident, including renewal offers or warnings.
    • Security Deposit Information – Details on the security deposit amount and its transfer.
    • Resident Status – Whether the resident is current, up for renewal, delinquent, or in the process of eviction.
    • Maintenance History – A record of recent maintenance requests and any ongoing issues.
    • Utility Information – Any utilities billed through the landlord, including provider details and current status.
    • Keys, Remotes, and Access Codes – Physical and electronic access to the property, such as keys, garage remotes, and gate codes.
    1Reply
  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    1y

    @Bonnie Glidewell you biggest challenge will be knowing everything you are legally entitled to, but also understanding what you are NOT legally entitled to!

    For instance, you are not legally entitled to the tenant's confidential information like SSN, credit report, paystub, W-2, bank statement, etc. - UNLESS the tenant gives written permission for such sharing.

    You can get the lease, rent ledger and any other public documents.

    [email protected]248-209-6824
    Logical Property Management4.9458 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
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  • Peter MckernanBusiness Member
    Residential Real Estate Agent · Irvine, CA · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    A couple of things: I would like to know the laws of your state and local jurisdictions regarding tenant and landlord rights. The second thing is to get a property management software for all communications, bill pay, and rent income. I would also have close connections with a PM in the area or a realtor who is familiar with these situations (PM, tenants, their own rentals) to lean on in times of questions/concerns. 

    The McKernan Group4.957 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
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