Guidelines for Pet Policies

A good property management company like Fred Leeds will help you determine whether it’s in your best interest to ban or allow pets on your premises. The ultimate decision will most likely be based on a cost benefits analysis and assessment of the liability potential you will be subject to as a property owner. Below are some issues to consider and further explore with your South Bay property management company.

The staff at Fred Leeds Property Management has found that it’s best to require an additional deposit for your tenants’ pets to cover any animal-related damages or expenditures associated with the pet. The standard amount is typically between $100 and $350. This will ensure that any carpet damage and other problems will be taken care of when the tenant vacates.

Another standard item that we recommend at Fred Leeds Properties is to include an addendum to the lease that states that the permission to keep pets can be revoked at any time, completely at the landlord’s discretion. This will come in handy in the case of a problematic pet that causes issues with other tenants.

The team at Fred Leeds Property Management strives to set clear expectations and policies in regards to pets from the moment we start working with a landlord. We help our clients determine guidelines for pets, from handling complaints about pets and setting a maximum number per unit to overall expectations from both parties. Our staff helps our clients set rules in regards to important issues such as noise levels, cleanliness and usage of common areas.

A great South Bay property management company will also make sure to properly screen clients and seek referrals through previous landlords and other references to ensure that the potential tenant has not had any pet-related issues in the past.

Pet Policies and Property Management

Whether you work with a company like Fred Leeds Property Management or manage your property yourself, there are so many issues to set policies on when you own rental units. A common and important issue that must be decided upon is whether or not you want to accept or decline pets on your premises.

In most states, generally speaking, property owners are not required to allow tenants to have pets. In San Diego, a recent survey reported that almost 60 percent of rental properties do not allow cats, and between 75 and 80 percent don’t allow dogs. Considering the tremendous amount of pet owners in California alone, it’s easy to see that there’s a big discrepancy between the number of pet owners and those who rent. At Fred Leeds properties, we work with landlords who allow pets as well as those who don’t. This gives us a greater breadth and depth of experience, one that perhaps another South Bay property management company won’t have.

When a property owner has a high vacancy rate, it may make the most sense to open their buildings to pets. Renting is typically a temporary situation, even with regards to long-term leases. At Fred Leeds Properties, we’ve come across a lot of potential tenants who do not want to get rid of their pets in order to obtain a rental. So if turnover is high or you’re having trouble renting units, your best bet may be to allow pets in your buildings.

At Fred Leeds Property Management, we understand a property owner’s reluctance to allow tenants to have pets. When a tenant owns a pet that lives in a rental unit, it opens the property up to the potential of damage, as well as noise and safety issues in the complex as a whole. A good South Bay property management company can help you determine the policy that will best suit your building and the area it’s in. As mentioned above, allowing tenants to have pets can increase your pool of tenants, and encourage them to rent for longer, especially if there are few other pet-friendly options in the neighborhood. Where the experience of a good property manager comes in is to help you decide whether the risk outweighs the liability.

How a Good Property Management Company Earns its Fees

A good South Bay property management company wants clients to feel that their fees are well-deserved. When Fred Leeds Property Management commits to a client, they ensure that all their management needs are met and that their investment property is protected and maintained to the fullest extent. Below are some guidelines for what to look for when looking for the best property managers—all traits we strive to possess.

Fast response time. There are multiple reasons why it’s important for a South Bay property management company to have fast response time. To keep tenants happy and ultimately maintain retention, requests and issues must be responded to and resolved as fast as possible. When someone’s living situation is problematic, they expect any issues to be rectified immediately so that comfort and safety are not compromised. At Fred Leeds properties, our goal is to respond and handle tenant issues as soon as they arise.

Another reason response time is crucial is that when units are vacant, leads must be answered as quickly as possible or else the potential tenant will pursue the next listing. By quickly responding to leads, answering questions, scheduling viewing appointments and vetting applications, the Fred Leeds Property Management staff makes it possible to find the quality tenants with potential for long term. Fast response to issues of late rent payments is also key.

Flexibility. Sometimes a property manager will be forced to engage in uncomfortable interactions with tenants. Good managers like those at Fred Leeds properties know that empathy and compassion go a long way. While it’s necessary to protect the landlord’s interests first and foremost, seasoned managers can show understanding to the tenants to help diffuse incendiary situations.

Screening experience. Landlords will benefit from the extensive screening procedures and experience the staff at Fred Leeds Property Management offers. By implementing strict screening procedures, performing market analysis, and offering impeccable statement accounting, owners can rest assured that their property is well-managed.

Brief Summary Of Fred Leeds Properties

Those men and women who are searching for a nice complex to live in might want to check out Fred Leeds properties. They can visit the property in person or check out the specifics online. Either way, they should like what they see and can report back to their families.

Most people can get a glimpse of certain characteristics of a property by looking at photographs online. This should help them get a feel for the process, and they may even find something at this preliminary stage that looks very intriguing.

Safety and security will clearly be important to most people. Families will want to live in a complex with low crime and with residents who care for each other. This will be especially crucial to families with younger children running around. They will want to know that the kids can play outside a bit without being in danger.

One of the best parts of living in one of Fred Leed's apartment complexes is the opportunity to become friends with people who live nearby. Knocking on some doors and starting some conversations is an excellent way to do this. In some instances, friends are made for life.

Location is what makes the world go round in many cases, and this is no different with rental property. Most men and women will want to live near to their places of employment if at all possible. For some families, this will play a major role in where they end up residing.
Ultimately, those people who are interested in looking into Fred Leeds properties have a number of ways to obtain good information. They can visit the places in person and ask staff members some informal questions. They might also do some research online, which should yield some solid answers.

If you’re trying to find a great building management firm in metro Los Angeles, then check out the Fred Leeds property management firm. Through their three decades of expertise in commercial and residential property management along with accreditation by the BBB you can be sure that your real estate assets is run according to professional criteria.

What Fred Leeds Property Management does for Landlords

There are many aspects of managing property that new landlords are unaware of. Let’s start with something that Fred Leeds Property Management does best—cultivating and managing long-term tenant relationships. This requires much more than collecting and depositing rent checks—even with the best tenants.

There’s a delicate balance when it comes to issues being solved, regardless of whether it’s the landlord’s or tenant’s responsibility. It’s important to have the perfect mix of directness tempered with good rapport and politeness. At Fred Leeds properties, we’ve mastered that balance, which helps us to keep both tenants and landlords happy as much as possible.

Professionals like the team at Fred Leeds properties are on call for emergencies and maintenance issues, 24 hours a day, every day. You never know when a situation will arise, so it’s best to always be prepared for issues that compromise the household’s safety and comfort. Our specialized team of contractors will solve the issue if we are unable to in-house.

Landlords often don’t realize that their life must be put on hold whenever tenant emergencies arise—this is exactly why you want the best South Bay property management company on your side. Whether you’re in the middle of an important business meeting or spending time with your family or loved ones, knowing that Fred Leeds Property Management is managing your rental units will give you unparalleled peace of mind.

More Tips for New Landlords

A major element that new landlords don’t realize or factor in when they plan their investment is the time commitment required to manage a building or property. At a minimum, new landlords should plan on spending 15 hours per month on whatever issues come up—and that’s not including any emergency situations. With a stellar company like Fred Leeds Property Management in your corner, you know that your investment will get way more than that minimum amount of attention.

If you have a full-time job, a family or other obligations, the type of duties that come along with property ownership can be daunting. The burden of the additional to-do list can cause lots of unnecessary stress—this is exactly why so many landlords employ Fred Leeds properties to lighten their load. If you’re a one-man show and would be managing your property yourself, it can easily be too much to handle, especially if you plan to have a personal life.

There’s also a significant learning curve for first-time property owners. Professional property managers like Fred Leeds properties have a team that specializes in tenant issues, legalities and compliance, in an effective and efficient manner. It’s all about the bottom line—if your full-time job will be managing your property, than it’s possible you don’t need to hire a South Bay property management company to take care of your beach cities investment. However, most rental properties are a side investment, and if you need to spend 15 hours a month or more, this can seriously detract from the return on your investment. Instead, for a small percentage of your rental income, you can hire professionals like Fred Leeds Property Management to handle the hassles and responsibilities associated with rentals. Now that’s protecting your investment!

What new landlords don’t know

Often times, when a new property owner plans to rent their units, they think it will impact their bottom line too much. Wrong! Hiring a company like Fred Leeds Property Management will not only save you time and hassle, it will ultimately make your bottom line greater than you imagines. The next time you consider managing your own properties rather than hiring a South Bay property management company, remember a few key things.

Thorough legal knowledge is necessary
If you don’t have a real estate background, the intricacies of housing laws and regulations can be overwhelming—unless, of course, you’re working with Fred Leeds properties. Property management is hardly limited to finding tenants and collecting rent. There are myriad compliance issues with Fair Housing Laws, as well as the need to protect your rights and handle messy situations like evictions and late rent. Plus, these laws are always changing, which requires landowners to constantly stay abreast. When you work with Fred Leeds Property Management, we ensure that all compliance issues are met and that your rights are protected.

Tenant screenings are not easy or straightforward
Finding quality tenants is critical to your success as a landlord. When a tenant doesn’t take care of your property or damages it, this can cost you money and hassle in the long run. When you work with Fred Leeds properties, we make sure to perform thorough background checks on potential tenants, and interpret the results using our years of experience.

Tips for Choosing the Best South Bay Property Management Company

You may have some properties that you rent out but yet you do not have enough time to manage them. This can be very frustrating as you will not be able to satisfy the needs of people staying ion your houses making you lose them and rent. It is advisable to get the services of a property management company to help you ease your work.

The first and very important tips when looking for a good company is finding out how much knowledge and experience they have in the local market. This will enable you to know if the firm really understands the local needs of tenants and if they have the ability to maintain the competitiveness of your properties.

Have an appointment with staff from the firm before signing any deal. During the appointment the company should be able to give you personalized information on how they are going to improve your income from your houses. The appointment will also help improve you relation with the company.

Ask the company for at least three references. Call up these clients of the company or visit them in person to get their view on the services the firm is offering. Be sure you get to know of the weaknesses and strengths of the company from them.

Many companies always want to keep the money collected in their accounts for long. This is because they want to use the money for other business. The agreement should be that the money be sent to your account as soon the rents are paid.

Does the company you go for have good relation with tenants? A good company is one that has good relation to tenants meaning you do not spend much on re-letting fees Make sure that the company is caring towards the tenants.

The last point that a house owner should consider before settling down wit a certain property management company is the amount of fees they charge. The fees should be cheap and yet with quality services.

Are you seeking out a highly-rated real estate management business around metro LA? Take a look at Fred Leeds Properties. They recently received an “A” review in the LA Better Business Bureau! Having 30+ years of practice in residential and commercial property, you can trust the knowledge and integrity they provide when serving both clients and tenants.

Demand for rentals rises as home ownership declines

As the housing market crashed, many people have shifted to rental situations—resulting in an increase in business for Fred Leeds properties. As this demand grows, we’re increasing the breadth and depth of our services, while maintaining the quality services we’re renowned for.

At Fred Leeds Property Management, we make sure that our property owner has peace of mind and that our tenants are just as happy. As consumers shift from investing in the housing market to renting properties, we’re further refining our skills and abilities, so we can provide the premier services of a South Bay property management company.

When you work with Fred Leeds properties, you can count on your properties being maintained to the fullest, and that you’re protected and taken care of. Here are some things you should look for when hiring an organization to manage your rentals—and what Fred Leeds Property Management strives to provide each of its clients.

1) Strong organizational and administrative systems

2) Thorough tenant screening and background checks

3) A professional, experienced staff

4) Comprehensive knowledge of all compliance issues

5) Goals to continuously improve business practices and increase profit

Building a Solid Network of General Contractors for Your Property

The team at Fred Leeds Property Management knows that whether a repair is big or small, having a solid network of trusted contractors is key to keeping tenants and landlords happy. It will lessen the stress that a South Bay property management company will suffer when urgent issues arise and ensures that pricing is honest and efficient. At Fred Leeds properties, we maintain a reliable network so that we can easily access the most cost-effective person for the job, as well as priority treatment, which can be very handy when a serious issues occurs.

Any good South Bay property management company should have list of specialists for issues like plumbing, electricity and heat, as well as a general handyman. At Fred Leeds properties, we also take the property amenities into consideration when building our networks, so that we have contractors who specialize in maintenance and repairs for swimming pools, fitness facilities and laundry equipment, among others.

To build this network, the staff at Fred Leeds Property Management checks into the contractor’s references, track records with other clients and also compares pricing. We learn about each specialist we work with, testing their knowledge and reliability, while getting to know them as individuals. Most importantly, we don’t get too comfortable—we always check their work!

A Good Network of Contractors is the Secret to Great Fred Leeds Property Management Services

A good South Bay property management company like Fred Leeds properties knows how to make the best of their contractor relationships. Having a solid group of contractors to work with who are reliable and good at their job is one of the keys to the success of Fred Leeds Property Management.

While every South Bay property management company isn’t expected to know how to handle the gamut of repair and maintenance issues, they are expected to have a contact that can provide a solution. You want to be certain that your tenants are happy and issue-free, so if you want to earn their loyalty and continued business, it’s crucial to get problems solved quickly and efficiently. Having a good network of contractors like we do at Fred Leeds properties will enable you to do that.

At Fred Leeds Property Management, we also know that one of the easiest ways to save money in the long run is to solve issues and fix problems as soon as they arise. For example, if you put off fixing a broken window, unsafe conditions may occur and result in an injury. One leaky pipe in an upstairs apartment can cause an entirely water-damaged dwelling below.

Property Management Red Flags

If you are not working with a property management company like Fred Leeds properties, chances are they may not be up to par. Here are some red flags to look for when working with another South Bay property management company.

High turn-over.
While it’s normal for staff to move on for reasons both personal and professional, if there is a high amount of turnover of either tenants or staff, then it’s definitely time to consider changing to a company like Fred Leeds Property Management. Too many changes in staff indicates problems with the company’s business practices and management techniques. We believe in keeping both our tenants and staff happy so that turnover is minimal.

Non-compliance.
Companies like Fred Leeds Properties make it a point to attend seminars and keep up to date on all changes in laws and other compliance issues that could affect landlords and their property. Make sure that your South Bay property management company does the same—the laws change all the time so it can be very easy to unknowingly fall out of compliance.

Outdated organizational systems
Fred Leeds Property Management ensures that all of our organizational systems are accurate and efficient. There should be strong systems in place for every area of the business, from accounting and tracking rent payments to a database of maintenance requests, vendors, etc. If your property manager is on point in these areas, then your worries will be minimal.

Is it time for you to switch property managers?

We’ve recently had an influx of new customers at Fred Leeds Property Management and have listened thoroughly to their reasons for changing property managers. Here are some red flags to look for that may give you a sign that it’s time to switch to a new South Bay Property Management like Fred Leeds Properties.

Lack of referrals

A good property management company should be expanding its network of referrals every year that it’s in business. If it doesn’t seem like your property manager is doing so, this means that existing tenants and clients aren’t confident enough in their services to make referrals. If this is the case, it may definitely be time to switch to Fred Leeds Properties.

Sporadic maintenance

Regular maintenance and timely repairs keeps the appeal of your property up and attractive to potential tenants, while keeping current tenants happy. Your South Bay property management company should have a comprehensive maintenance checklist and schedule that they adhere to.

Slow response time|

At Fred Leeds Property Management, we make it a point to respond to tenant issues and queries from potential tenants quickly and efficiently. We know that it’s in our client’s best interest to maintain prompt tenant communications and not miss out on new renters.

What Makes a Rental Property Unsafe?

At Fred Leeds properties, we know that it’s our job, as a representative of the landlord, to ensure that a rental property is maintained properly and in safe condition. Yet we know that it can be difficult for landlords or another South Bay property management company to determine what makes a property unsafe. The Fred Leeds Property Management staff is privy to some information on the factors that are considered in deeming a property at risk.

Landlords must be careful of any conditions on the property that creates an unreasonable risk of harm. Once made aware, whether by a tenant, an asset manager like Fred Leeds Property Management or another South Bay property management company, the landlord must repair the condition as soon as possible or they may find themselves liable for any injuries that occur.

Conditions that may pose a risk of harm include holes in floors or sidewalks, broken or cut glass, lacks of handrails along staircases, and no locks for windows in second story apartments where a toddler resides.

An important factor to consider is that the landlord or management company must be made aware of the unsafe condition. This is why it’s so helpful to have a company like Fred Leeds properties managing your rental units. Not only will we monitor the properties ourselves, but will quickly handle the repair of any such conditions that are reported to us. This enables the property owner to avoid the headaches these unsafe conditions can cause if, for example, the landlord is away on a business trip or vacation.

Creative Lease Strategies

When summer ends, a South Bay property management company may find themselves with tenant turnover. Even in some of the most desirable areas, there can be properties that may be difficult to rent. At Fred Leeds Property Management, we strive to keep our vacancy time low, while some property owners employ creative strategies for leasing.

At Fred Leeds Properties, we’ve seen some property owners and competitors use aggressive marketing and incentive offers to move units that are hard to rent. We’ve seen another South Bay property management company and private landlords waive pro-rated rent for a mid-month or early move-in. Since the alternative is to have a vacant property during that entire time, being able to offer this as a bonus to an applicant may offer an advantage.

The staff at Fred Leeds Property Management has also seen landlords offer a reduced security deposit instead of reducing rent. Since most renters worry about all the up-front costs associated with moving, this makes the financial hit more manageable at a time when it counts. These situations are ideal for a company like Fred Leeds properties to manage for landlord.

South Bay Property Management: It’s All About the Amenities

Even as rental markets tighten, Fred Leeds Property Management is witnessing some fierce competition for good tenants. The trend we’ve seen from potential tenants who are looking at Fred Leeds Properties or those managed by another South Bay Property Management company are seeking amenities. Property owners and investors who want to attract a high-income demographic of tenants are starting to increase the amenities at their units.

Some of the common niceties we’ve noticed among the units that we handle at Fred Leeds Property Management include stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops, but now it seems that investors and even other South Bay Property Management companies are seeing the benefits of providing on-site gyms, Jacuzzis, nice communal spaces, as well as housekeeping services, dry cleaning and underground parking. Investors who are willing to make the investment in such upgrades will definitely reap long-term rewards. At Fred Leeds Properties, we understand that amenities translate to low tenant turnover, full building and even waiting lists.

Handling Repairs Like A Pro

Fred Leeds Property Management manages the ins and outs of making repairs to rental properties like no other—that’s what makes us the best South Bay property management company around. While it’s no surprise that managing repairs comes with the territory, many landlords may drop the ball when they receive repair requests from tenants. Sometimes it’s easy to forget the importance of expeditious repairs when it comes to keeping tenants happy. However, at Fred Leeds properties, we make it a priority to handle repairs effectively and efficiently, so that both tenant and landlord are satisfied.

When maintenance issues aren’t handled properly, this affects the quality of tenants the property attracts. Landlords sometimes forget that, no matter what, there may be electrical problems, broken appliances, plumbing leaks, and issues with water heaters, among others. If they are not handled in a timely manner, this can result in bad write-ups or reviews, the inability to attract tenants, and ultimately, tenants’ vacating the properties. This is exactly why having a company like Fred Leeds Property Management manage your rental units is so fundamental. While landlords would rather save their money and collect rent than spend it on repairs, they’re forgetting the big picture and that having an empty unit for several months or experiencing early turnover costs them significantly more than the repairs would.

Another mistake that may come up if you don’t have a company like Fred Leeds properties managing your rentals, is allowing tenants to make their own repairs. While it may seem to save money at the time, it actually can end up costing way more if the tenant makes a mistake or hurts themselves in the process. No one wants a big, nasty lawsuit if that can be avoided. Only a best in the South Bay property management company will eliminate that potential liability and all the ancillary headaches for the property owner at the least amount of expense.

For more information, please visit www.FredLeedsProperties.com.

Making All Our Customers Happy

Fred Leeds Property Management works harder than any South Bay property management company to ensure that both tenants and landlords are happy. It’s a fine line sometimes, as it’s almost as though there are two customers—and the customer is always right… right?

What we do at Fred Leeds Properties is make sure that we provide the best, most attentive customer service possible. While there can’t always be two customers in a situation that are right, what we can do at Fred Leeds Property Management is make sure that everyone is happy.

We’ve kept our reputation as the best South Bay property management company by carefully following our time-tested strategy: 1) We carefully and sympathetically listen to our tenant’s concerns and issues. 2) We straightforwardly explain that while we may agree with some points there are reasons why the issues can’t be resolved in the exact manner that they’d like. 3) We then determine a way to meet the tenant halfway, in a manner that the landlord approves of.

What we’ve seen with Fred Leeds properties is that tenants are satisfied and happy when they feel like their needs and concerns are being listened and attended to. A compromise is always exacted and everyone feels valued and is, therefore, still happy.

Visit http://www.fredleedsproperties.com/.

Property Management and Pets

Every property manager, including those at Fred Leeds properties, at one point must make the decision to allow or prohibit pets. While many landlords do not want to allow them for fear of property damage, others think it’s a bad idea to prohibit them, because tenants will most likely have them anyway. Luckily, many pet owners are very responsible and will disclose their animal count and typically be very careful to prevent damage.

However, an issue beyond property damage that landlords and owners need to carefully consider is the possibility of dangerous pets. The staff at Fred Leeds Property Management works to stay abreast on this issue, and does everything possible to protect clients from the potential liability caused by dog attacks. Many South Bay property management companies enforce strict policies regarding vicious animals, as insurance companies tend to decline coverage for such pets. Some of the types of dogs that may be considered dangerous include: Alaskan Malamutes, Akitas, Chow Chows, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers and Siberian Huskies.

At Fred Leeds Property Management, we will help the landlord devise their policy by providing up-to-date information and statistics on dog attacks. When there is the potential of a life-threatening or fatal attack, this type of policy is a serious matter that must be carefully considered.

To browse listings of Fred Leeds properties or to learn more about the premier South Bay property management company, visit www.FredLeedsProperties.com.

Managing Tenant Issues: Electrical Problems

There are a myriad of tenant issues to resolve, which is why it’s so much easier to have a property management company like Fred Leeds Property Management on board to handle them when they arise. A tricky set of issues that every South Bay property management company is familiar with is electrical problems.

Maintaining rental units and housing complexes requires staff to regularly check the premises for loose and short-circuited wires to ensure that they are not stepped on, which can be a very dangerous situation and cause injury. The staff at Fred Leeds properties ensures that such situations are rectified immediately by installing signage to warn individuals to stay away from the dangerous wires and hiring an electrician to fix them as soon as possible.

Power outages are another common occurrence among rental units that can prove to be very irritating and inconvenient to tenants, which is an integral reason for providing immediate assistance through a company like Fred Leeds Property Management. Plus, it’s something landlords really don’t want to be bothered with, as they can happen at odd hours and in the middle of the night. Having the staff of a premier South Bay property management company like Fred Leeds Properties ensures that prompt service is offered to your tenants. People can get stuck in elevators, suffer from security issues or be significantly inconvenienced when working from their home office.

Browse our current listings of Fred Leeds Properties and learn about the best South Bay property management company at www.FredLeedsProperties.com.