Category: Landlord San Diego

When your tenant breaks a lease by leaving the rental property before the term expires, you have the right to collect the money you are owed. A lease agreement with a fixed term means the tenant owes you rent until you can lease the property out again to a qualified renter or the lease expires, whichever happens first. Whether the tenant gave you notice or simply vacated in secret, the methods for collecting rent are the same.

To prevent this from happening, landlords look for professional property management of their units in Pacific Beach, CA, and the nearby areas. Read on!

What can a landlord do if a tenant breaks the lease?

The landlord has the right to claim and collect the rent when a tenant breaks the lease and leaves the property before the expiration of the lease term for the whole duration or until the end of the notice period. Lease agreements with a fixed term contain the obligation of the tenant to pay the rent until the expiry of the term or until the property is rented out again, whichever occurs first. Therefore, the methods for due rent collecting are the same, regardless of whether the tenant has given notice or simply left the property without any notification.

This can create complicated situations for the landlord. They have to start looking for a new tenant and may encounter problems collecting the due rent or compensation for damages caused by the tenant. Following are some tips that can ease the situation for the landlord in case a tenant breaks his lease:

Open a communication file

All communication with the tenant related to a lease should be well documented. On top of the lease agreement, landlords should start keeping records in a dedicated file of all written communication with the tenant related to lease termination issues. Notices from the tenant about the intention and decision to break the lease should be filed. The filed information may prove important and is potential evidence in a court proceeding that the landlord might initiate to recover any rent and other money owed.

Send a notice

The tenant who wishes to break the lease must be reminded of his obligations under the lease agreement, especially that he must pay the rent on time and as usual until the contracted lease term expires, or the property is rented to a new tenant. In addition, the tenant should be reminded that any failure to abide by the terms of the agreement in relation to the rent payment may result in legal action, regardless of the fact that he may not be living anymore at the rental property. All such notices and communication should be signed and dated, hand delivered or sent by certified or registered return mail to his current or last known address.

Inspect the property

If the tenant has given notice of his intention of breaking the lease and in all other cases if possible, the landlord should try to inspect the property before the tenant vacates it. The landlord should have an inspection checklist to fill and review with the tenant all potential damages and other issues related to the property before he leaves. If the tenant has just abandoned the property, the landlord must inspect it on his own and note and document any damages, by taking pictures of any damages that go beyond normal wear and tear. This checklist and photos should be included in the file.

Prepare for rent

The landlord should start to prepare the property for rent and advertising and looking for a new tenant as soon as possible. This is also important for a potential court case where the landlord should prove that he has done everything within his power and duty to mitigate the damage from the broken rent. The landlord should also note the dates of the new rental agreement and moving in of the new tenant.

Collect money owed from the tenant

The landlord should calculate the amount of rent owed by the original tenant in accordance with the rental agreement from the time the rent went unpaid to the date of moving in of the new tenant. To this sum should be added all amounts the original tenant owes for damages to the rental property and this total amount should be deducted from the original tenant’s security deposit. These calculations should also be filed.

If the original tenant does not pay by the contracted deadlines, the landlord may file a civil suit. The court will then undertake various steps following its procedure, contact the original tenant, and set a date for a hearing. Since both the landlord and the tenant have to appear before the judge and present their information and version of events, it is important to bring a well-documented file and all the written evidence. This will prove to the judge that the landlord has undertaken all necessary measures to collect the due rent on his own and that he has acted with due diligence and reasonably throughout the process.

The leading property management experts in Pacific Beach, CA, &  beyond!

Owning property from which you can profit is an exciting opportunity that most people dream about. You find a great tenant, rent the property to them in exchange for cash flow each month, and let them help pay down the mortgage. Sometimes, however,  things don’t always go as planned.

Ending up with a disgruntled tenant is every landlord’s worst nightmare, and for good reason. A problem tenant can quickly cause a significant amount of damage to your property. Not to mention, that unless they’ve already vacated the property, you’ll also be faced with the hassle of trying to evict them, and everything that’s involved with the aftermath of that as well. To help you navigate dealing with the damage to your property in Pacific Beach, CA, caused by the tenant, your trusted property management service professionals will walk you through the procedure. Keep reading!

What can a landlord do when the tenant damages a property?

Damages on a leased property by a tenant often create difficult situations for landlords. The first reaction of the landlord might be to cancel the lease and evict the tenant, but this may not always be the best solution. You can undertake other measures to remedy the situation, eviction being the last resort.

In such situations, the damage must first be duly documented through photos or video footage that clearly demonstrate its extent. This step is necessary both for negotiating the fixing or compensation of the damage and if the landlord decides to take it to court. The tenant should then be contacted and asked to acknowledge the damage and how it occurred and remedy and fix it. If the tenant’s response is negative and refuses to repair or remedy the damage, the landlord can undertake legal action in courts of law. However, as previously stated, this should be the last resort. Landlords should undertake such action when all other possibilities have been exhausted and proven unsuccessful.

The landlords must strictly adhere to the law when trying to recuperate their losses from damaged property, legal action in courts being the last step in that direction. Preference should always be given to negotiations with the tenant. In most cases, these issues are resolved without having to resort to a court of law, with much less trouble than a protracted court case would entail.

What if the damage isn’t the tenant’s fault?

Sometimes, damages that occur on a property are not the tenant’s fault and may be caused by neighbors, repairmen, atmospheric conditions (such as flooding, heavy winds, snowfall). In such cases, the standard is that the landlord should repair the damage and then seek compensation from neighbors, construction companies who have caused the damage, and finally from insurance companies.

Examples of such damages could be the following:

• Leaks from roofs or water or sewage pipes of a neighboring property;
• Damages to the roof, doors, windows, exterior, or even foundations of the building caused by construction work on a neighboring property;
• Accidental damages by repairmen and their tools, such as scratches to the walls, doors, windows, broken tiles and window panes, etc.

Prudent landlords insure their properties against accidental damage. Regardless of the insurance or lack thereof, they have the right to claim the recovering of any cost of work or replaced elements of the property from the person or company who bears responsibility for the damage. Personal belongings of the tenants are not covered by such insurance and the landlord has no obligation to repair or replace them in case of accidental damage. Tenants also have the right to undertake legal action for recovery of costs related to their personal belongings from the persons responsible for the damage.

Your trusted experts in Pacific Beach, CA for property management

 

Renting property can be fraught with many uncertainties. As the landlord, you’ll have to mitigate issues with damaged furniture, interior and exterior walls can be deteriorating, windows wearing out etc. You’ll also have a lot of paperwork to handle, find reliable tenants, and make sure that the rent is collected. Adequate planning can leave these risks at bay.

Property management in San Diego is an ongoing responsibility that requires you to be proactive in order to minimize risks and protect your investment. For this reason it’s best to leave it up to a company with an extensive portfolio, who will take care of your property and details for you. Read on to learn how to handle potential risks before problems arise.

What types of property risk are there?

First, let’s take a closer look at the potential risks you’ll face when renting a property: 

• Physical property risk – regardless of your property portfolio, there’s a chance of damage over time that can’t be entirely avoided. 
• Tenant risk – there’s nothing more important than filling up vacancies with reliable tenants, and this is why it should be in the focus of anyone involved in the industry 
• Administration risk – handling a lot of information, especially when it comes to a number of contracts, different properties, rent rolls, claims and maintenance tasks poses a challenge. 
• Market risk. There’s always a chance of an economic downturn, and this can influence the time needed to fill a vacancy, overall upkeep costs, rent collection, etc.
• Legal conflict risk. There could be disputes over property ownership, misleading statements in the contract, or potential tenant discrimination. 

What are the ways to avoid risks in managing property?

In case of any risk scenario, you have three possible ways to handle the situation and protect your investment:

• Risk avoidance. This means that you’ll not engage in any potentially risky action. For instance, you could go against adding a second story to a house, as it bears too many risks. 
• Risk control, also known as hazard control, involves taking action to mitigate or minimize risks. One way is to conduct in-house check-ups in order to identify and prevent damage.
• Risk transfer. Instead of taking full responsibility, a manager can shift it to another party, be it the tenant or the insurance company. 

Experienced professionals combine all three approaches to mitigate against risk and by doing so, maintain and protect the value of your investment. 

How do you manage property risk?

Risk management isn’t just about transferring responsibility via insurance. It requires vigilance, control, and proactive action. Practically, there are at least six ways to mitigate risk in managing your investment: 

1. Emergency planning before anything happens. This involves making plans of action before the issue occurs. 
2. Budget projections to plan for unexpected repairs or liabilities that arise due to the condition of your investment
3. Legal assistance and guidance when needed (for example, eviction notices)
4. Liability protection via insurance; Consider purchasing an umbrella policy if you think their coverage needs will increase in the future, for example with renovations, or additions like ADUs or pools.  
5. Property inspections done regularly by both staff and owners/tenants to identify problems sooner rather than later so that issues do not become more costly and difficult to resolve.
6. A proactive relationship with your insurance agent: this involves learning about all the risks involved, what coverage exists for them, and being updated about new types of liabilities. Also, you should keep track of when policies are set to expire so that they can be renewed early enough.

Being prepared is key: if something goes wrong at one of your properties, there’s no need to panic. The more prepared you have been up front, the better off everyone will be during an emergency situation.

Who offers top-grade property management in San Diego, California?

One way to make sure that your investment is in good hands is to hire qualified professionals to take care of it. If you’re based in Mission Bay, or anywhere else in San Diego, you don’t have to look far. Here at Lofty Property Management, landlords can count on us to keep their investment secure and the cash flow steady, and tenants can rely on prompt risk mitigation. 

We can carry out a number of services on your behalf, including marketing your vacancy, collecting rent, doing background checks, and connecting you with reliable contractors. Our staff comprises qualified and experienced professionals who have extensive experience and passion for their work.

Call us today to check our services and enjoy the benefits we offer!

Collecting rent, renewing leases, communicating and negotiating with existing and prospective tenants – the list of property management tasks goes on. This is why many landlords in San Diego decide to hand over the responsibility to a trained professional. You want to make sure that this person has experience, expertise and personal traits that will keep your investment safe and tenants covered. Read on to learn how to identify the most reliable 

What makes a good property manager? 

If you’re a landlord in need of a reliable professional to administrate your rental property, you should make sure that the person checks all the boxes. Also, if you’re looking to tap into the industry yourself, you need the right skill set and personal traits to fulfill the role. To administer a property, you should focus on the following 5 qualities:

1. Organizational skills

You need a person who is a natural organizer, handling multiple tasks at the same time with ease. Your ideal candidate is someone who performs well under pressure, has experience with paperwork and can coordinate a number of different properties with confidence.

2. Forward thinking

A professional who’d handle your property should be a forward thinker with an investor mindset. Besides handling repairs and tenant issues, this person should  also be the one to help you with a range of real-estate technicalities. The person who will handle your property should remain vigilant and address risks even before issues emerge. This proactive stance is vital as it saves money and stress. 

3. Attention to detail

A person handling any number of apartments should be able to notice small changes. Also, they should be able to address the needs of the landlords and tenants on time. They should make a clear difference between true priorities and the background noise of mundane tasks. 

4. Assertiveness

Assertive communication is a one of the core competencies of professionals in any industry that involves working with people. This involves a respectful and direct manner of communication, self-confidence, good listening skills, and focus on problem solving and compromise. An assertive property manager will treat tenants politely, but be very direct when reminding them about overdue rent or regular monthly upkeep.

5. Can-do attitude

Whatever issue arises, a person in charge should approach it heads-on. An experienced administrator has the resources to tackle problems, regardless of the scope. He can do this by relying on time-tested procedures, various guidelines for tenants and landlords, as well as a list of reliable contractors for repairs and maintenance. 

What should I look for in a property management company?

When it comes to the company itself, you should look for a provider that fulfills all the requirements, including necessary licenses. You should always ask about their previous experience. Many companies rely on referrals from their clients. Nowadays it’s easy to find reviews and check ratings of your local providers online. 

Also, keep in mind that a top-performing company should have the following results: 

• Low eviction rates
• High long-term occupancy rates
• Low vacancy rates

You should inquire with your provider about their insurance policies, examples of previous contracts and agreements. Also, you want to make sure that they employ experienced and reliable people to whom you can delegate this responsibility. 

Where can I hire responsible property management in San Diego, CA and beyond?

If you’re a landlord seeking a professional that can help you fill in your vacancy quickly, look no further. Lofty Property Management is a go-to option for the landlords and tenants living around San Diego Bay and beyond. We can assist by offering a full range of comprehensive services: by collecting your rent on time, handling move-ins and move-outs, marketing your property, finding and screening potential tenants and more. We have extensive experience in the market and can provide you with quality results.  

Contact us today to get a free quote and check the services we offer.

Coordinating a number of real estate properties can be tedious and time-consuming, especially if you’re doing it remotely. If your property is vacant at the moment, looking for prospective and quality tenants poses another challenge. This is why so many landlords are looking for reliable property management companies. Whether you’re living in San Diego or anywhere else in California, keep on reading to learn how to fill out your vacancies quickly. 

How do you fill out a vacancy for an apartment?

While you’re waiting for qualified, well-paying tenants to fill out a vacancy, you’re losing money. To reduce this waiting time to the bare minimum, you should employ some of the following strategies:

Tip #1: Invest in marketing

If you’re a new landlord, you’ll probably find it a bit challenging to make your first official listing. Although it might seem outdated, newspaper listings are still a thing. You should start marketing your property early on, from putting the sign in front of the house or apartment, to making an official listing in the local newspaper. 

When it comes to online listings, it’s important to use appropriate photos of your apartment. Take photos during bright daylight and from most flattering angles. Another good idea is to make a short video-walkthrough around the premises.  

Tip #2: Ask for referrals

Even if you don’t have a marketing strategy in mind, you can try to rely on referrals from your previous renters. Using word of mouth is most likely going to lead to new paying applicants. If you feel uncertain, you can use instant screening tools, by asking applicants to provide their social security number. 

Tip #3: Set a reasonable price

Before you make your listing, you should do some research of other listings in the neighborhood. You don’t want to underestimate the value of your investment. Once you have set a realistic and competitive price, you can expect to hear from quality candidates. 

Tip #4: Improve your rental

A rental that is functional and comfortable is more likely to attract prospective tenants. Sometimes, you wouldn’t have time for a full makeover, but it’s best to consult with reliable professionals first. Find contractors that will help you do a small face-lift to your property and increase your chances of filling out your vacancy. For instance: 

• Repaint your walls
• Clean upholstered furniture
• Include more natural lighting
• Replace or repair old appliances
• Do a smart kitchen or bathroom renovation.
• Get rid of unnecessary barriers or excess cabinets
• Repair your doors, windows and window screens.

Tip #5: Reduce costs

You can implement clever strategies to reduce maintenance costs, electrical bill and overall upkeep expenses. For instance: 

• Replace old gas furnaces, 
• Improve insulation of the walls, if possible
• Install a smart thermostat to reduce power consumption.
• Switch completely to energy efficient light-bulbs and appliances. 
• Replace your lawn with a paver patio, to reduce the need for gardening services.
• Use lasting materials if you’re painting or decorating the exterior of your house.

Of course, some of these tasks require more time, so you should always consult with a professional first and make sure that you can complete the project before new tenants move in.  

Where can I find reliable property management companies in San Diego, California?

To be able to rent your property without worry feels like a privilege. A reliable provider can help you minimize the risks that come with renting your property by performing thorough background checks. Here at Lofty Property Management we can help you coordinate all other real-estate procedures, including collecting your rent, renewing leases, marketing your rental and running regular maintenance. Whether you’re located in Old Town, or anywhere else in San Diego and the vicinity, you can count on our support to find well-paying tenants and to keep your investment safe. 

To get a free rental quote and find out more about our services, get in touch with us today!

Every business, including rental properties, has faced significant challenges during the pandemic. Covid-19 has changed the way companies render tasks that were not long ago considered routine. Although some industries have suffered tremendously throughout the pandemic, the rental market has adapted to change in the business climate. 

While much of the US is still in recovery mode and dealing with the after-effects of Covid-19, landlords and property managers in La Jolla are improvising and finding new ways to facilitate property management, maintenance, rent collection, communication with tenants, marketing, and more. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how you can manage renters who are moving in and out of your units. 

How can I manage renters moving in or out of rental properties during COVID-19?

During the coronavirus pandemic, moving has been recognized as an essential business and was allowed under strict social distancing protocols. As a result, landlords and property managers alike can organize and execute moves and continue to market their vacant units and lease agreements. 

The move in and move out procedure, commonly known as tenant turnover, typically involves:

• Inspecting and cleaning the property 
• Fixing any damages that might have occurred
• Showing and leasing the property
• Welcoming a new tenant  

All of these procedures have had to be adjusted during the pandemic in order to keep people safe. Here are some innovative ways landlords and property managers handle tenants moving amid the pandemic. 

Lockboxes

Prior to the tenant moving out, set up a lockbox for them to put their keys in. Likewise, have the cleaning company come after the tenants move out and also use the lockbox to avoid meeting anyone. Make sure that your cleaning crew does a meticulous job of sanitizing and disinfecting all surfaces.

Additional tenant screening

Be extremely thorough with tenant screening. Double-check each applicant’s chances of continued employment during the pandemic. You’ll want to avoid renting your property to someone likely to lose their job but proceed to live in your unit for the foreseeable future.

Virtual Tours

Avoid unnecessary exposure to the coronavirus, and begin doing virtual tours on your rental properties. Now you can start renting properties over the phone. Send videos and photos after you’ve done the necessary renovations. Compile a list of specific things your renters will likely want to see in the video. Put the emphasis on the amenities, the view, the kitchen, and the bathroom. Find a tutorial online on how to create a quality video, upload it to the website, and share it.

Virtual tours are a great tool that allows renters to browse through properties without having risking exposure. More and more renters are starting to get accustomed to seeing and applying to rent a property without seeing it in person.

 

Communicating with tenants via a video conferencing service

Take advantage of Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime to communicate. It’s the easiest way to keep in touch with your tenants, as well as candidates for your rental.  Quite possibly, this will soon become the norm.

We set the standard for property managers in La Jolla & the vicinity

Whether you’re new to the world of property renting and management or a seasoned landlord, you could certainly use a helping hand, especially during a pandemic. Whether your rental units are near La Jolla Cove or anywhere around San Diego, at Lofty Property Management, we offer a comprehensive set of property management services. Get in touch with us today and find out how we can help!