Owner FAQs

There are many, many functions of a property management company. Some of the most important functions to a home owner include advertising the property for lease, qualifying tenants, moving tenants in, collecting rent, paying rent to the owner, property preservation, coordination of repairs (if needed), tenant move-out, and eviction proceedings (if needed).

You don't pay anything until we have secured a qualified tenant. Once the tenants moves in, the management company retains the first months rent. Thereafter, the management fee is 10% of the monthly rent, for the duration of the lease term.

No, we don't have any up-front costs.

Typically, interior inspections are done semi-annually. However, if we have reasonable cause to inspect the property, we may do so with a 48 hour notice to tenant.

The tenant will be instructed to maintain insurance on their personal belongings, commonly known as renter's insurance. It is the owner's responsibility to maintain any structure insurance necessary.

The tenant is responsible for all utilities. If any utility is included in association fees, such as water or garbage, that utility is then included in the rental rate.

All repair issues will be directed to our office. Unless the repair is an emergency, the owner will be contacted with the requested repair and an estimate for repair. We will coordinate with the tenant to get the approved repair completed. The tenant is generally responsible for the first $50 (condo) or $100 (home) of each repair.

Yes, provided the repair is done timely and is coordinated through our office. To effectively manage a property, it is important that we maintain a record of all repairs.

All rents are due on the 1st of each month, if the tenant has not paid by 15th, our BRS Property Management, INC will have already begun the eviction process.

We analyze credit reports, background check reports, state eviction check reports, verify income, contact references and verify any prior landlord information available. The combined monthly income of the tenants must be approximately 3 times the monthly rental rate to qualify.

No, whether or not you allow pets is completely up to you. It is important to keep in mind that 70% of all tenants have pets. The best pet policy may be to say that pets are negotiable.

Our minimum lease term is 1 year, unless prior arrangements are made with the owner.

No, but we highly recommend appliances be included. Most properties available for lease are offered with appliances.

We require a security deposit equivalent to 1½ month's rent. The security deposit is held by our company in a non-interest bearing escrow account until the tenant vacates the property.

The tenant is responsible for upkeep of the property, including, lawn maintenance/snow removal, changing of furnace filters, light bulbs, cleaning of gutters, etc…

No, that information is kept confidential with-in our office. We will provide you with as much general information as we can, but specifics have to be limited. For example, we can tell you a tenant's occupation, but not specifically where they work. We can tell you their children are elementary age but not their specific ages, etc…

It depends on a lot of factors, time of year, monthly rental rate, condition of property and many other factors. On the whole, due to our extensive advertising, we generally are able to lease a property faster than the marketing times indicated on the MLS system.

Usually within 24 hrs. In our experience, if too much time is wasted a qualified tenant will continue to pursue other properties and be approved elsewhere

We will let you know if the property needs to be cleaned, and/or the carpet needs to be cleaned, if there are any repair issues that need to be resolved, etc.. We can help to coordinate any of these things as well. We will schedule a time to have the lease signed, turn over keys, and take move-in pictures. We will let you know when the lease has been signed.

Yes, but we don't recommend it. Once a lease has been signed, the lease must be honored by the buyer of the property.

Some cities do require a permit be obtained. The cost is often under $100 per year, and there is often a city inspection that needs to take place. You can contact your city offices directly for instructions.

We do extensive advertising. We advertise on roughly 50 different websites and your home will be input into the REALTOR's Multiple Listing Services (MLS).