Poor service from Property Manager
May 6, 2011
My wife and I own a condominium that been leased for one year to a tenant since May 1, 2010. A property management company in Michigan handled the listing and the lease as we were moving out of state. By last summer, we were finding it extremely difficult to get in touch with the agent in charge of our account. We had questions about certain matters that we didn’t understand but had a very hard time just getting a call back, and when we did, the agent displayed much annoyance and defensiveness. However, as long as the rent was coming in, we did not worry too much.We learned just today that some time ago the tenant had given our management company notice that she did not plan on renewing the lease, but wished to extend her stay month-to-month for an indefinite period of time. The management company – without communicating with us about anything – told the tenant that she could only stay for two additional months. We are appalled that we were not consulted about these crucial developments concerning our property. We would like to turn the management over to a different company, but we are unsure of our options at this point. If you can provide any guidance to us, we would be most appreciative.
Waterford, Michigan
I agree with you that you should be receiving much better service from your property manager. Our offices would never have a problem extending the lease period on a month-to-month basis for a good tenant.
About the Author: Bob Cain
Some 30 years ago Bob Cain went to a no-money-down seminar and got the notion that owning rental property would be just the best idea there is for making money. He bought some. Trouble was, what he learned at the seminar didn’t tell him how to make money on his rental property. He went looking for help in the form of a magazine or newsletter about the business. He couldn't find any.
Always ready to jump at a great idea, he decided he could put his speaking and writing skills to work and perform a valuable service for other investors who needed more information about property management. So Bob ferreted out the secrets, tricks and techniques of property management wherever he found them; then he passed them along to other landlords.
For over 25 years now, Bob has been publishing information, giving speeches, putting on seminars and workshops, and consulting for landlords on how to buy, rent and manage property more effectively.
