Cristy Ceniceros – Kim Reed property manager

Fair Housing Laws: What Property Managers Need to Know

Posted on May 10, 2023May 12, 2023 by Cristy Ceniceros

Fair housing laws are federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination in housing based on certain characteristics such as race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. Property managers must comply with these laws to avoid legal consequences and ensure equal opportunities for all applicants and tenants. Here’s what property managers need to know about fair housing laws.

There are protected characteristics; the Fair Housing Act protects individuals from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. State laws may also protect additional characteristics such as sexual orientation, gender identity, and age. Property managers must not discriminate against any person based on these protected characteristics.

Prohibited Practices are to keep in mind. Property managers must not engage in any practices that discriminate against individuals based on protected characteristics. This includes advertising, screening, selecting, and evicting tenants. For instance, a property manager cannot refuse to rent to a person based on their race or national origin.

Remember to have reasonable accommodations: Property managers must provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may include modifications to the property to accommodate a disability or allowing a tenant with a disability to have a service animal. Property managers must not charge extra fees or make it difficult for tenants with disabilities to use these accommodations.

Acknowledge the familial status; property managers must not discriminate against families with children under the age of 18. This includes refusing to rent to families with children or imposing different rules on families with children. However, there are some exceptions for senior housing and certain communities.

Compliance requirements are in place. Property managers must comply with fair housing laws and take steps to prevent discrimination. This includes providing fair housing training to employees, creating written policies and procedures, and monitoring compliance. Property managers must also keep records of applications, leasing documents, and any other relevant information to demonstrate their compliance.

Enforcement is due; fair housing laws are enforced by various agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and state and local fair housing agencies. Property managers who violate fair housing laws may face fines, penalties, and lawsuits. It’s essential to take fair housing laws seriously and ensure compliance to avoid legal consequences.

In conclusion, property managers must comply with fair housing laws to ensure equal opportunities for all applicants and tenants. Property managers must not discriminate based on protected characteristics, provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities, and comply with fair housing laws’ requirements. Property managers who violate fair housing laws may face serious legal consequences, and it’s essential to take these laws seriously and ensure compliance.

For more information, speak with the professionals at Reed Property Management, so that they may answer any questions you may have. Just give us a call at (239) 351-2880 or contact us via our website or email.

Managing Multiple Properties: Tips for Scaling Your Property Management Business

Posted on May 3, 2023May 12, 2023 by Cristy Ceniceros

As a property manager, managing multiple properties can be challenging. It requires careful planning, effective communication, and a deep understanding of the needs of your clients. However, with the right strategies, you can scale your property management business and manage multiple properties successfully. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Develop a Systematic Approach

To manage multiple properties, you need a systematic approach that streamlines your processes and helps you stay organized. This could include creating a detailed checklist for property inspections, developing a system for handling tenant requests, and using software tools to manage maintenance schedules, lease agreements, and rent payments.

Hire a Skilled Team

As your business grows, you may need to hire additional staff to help you manage multiple properties. It’s essential to hire skilled professionals who can handle various tasks such as maintenance, bookkeeping, and tenant relations. Ensure that your team is adequately trained, and they understand your expectations and standards for managing properties.

Embrace Technology

With the rise of technology, there are numerous tools and software applications that can help you manage multiple properties efficiently. For instance, you can use property management software to automate rent collection, track maintenance requests, and manage lease agreements. Also, using cloud-based tools can enable you to access critical information from anywhere, anytime, making it easier to manage your properties remotely.

Communicate Effectively

Communication is critical in property management, and effective communication can help you avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, and delays. Ensure that you have open lines of communication with your team, tenants, and property owners. Respond promptly to emails, phone calls, and text messages to keep everyone informed about the status of the properties.

Build Relationships

Building strong relationships with your clients and tenants is essential to your success as a property manager. It’s essential to establish trust, be responsive to their needs, and provide excellent customer service. Also, maintain regular communication with your clients to ensure that they are satisfied with your services.

Set Realistic Expectations

Managing multiple properties requires a significant investment of time, effort, and resources. Set realistic expectations for yourself, your team, and your clients. Ensure that everyone understands the scope of the work, timelines, and expected outcomes.

In conclusion, managing multiple properties can be a challenging task, but with the right strategies, you can scale your property management business successfully. Develop a systematic approach, hire a skilled team, embrace technology, communicate effectively, build relationships, and set realistic expectations. By following these tips, you can ensure that your business grows, and your clients are satisfied with your services.

Maintenance Tips for Rental Properties: How to Keep Your Properties in Great Shape

Posted on April 26, 2023April 26, 2023 by Cristy Ceniceros

As a rental property owner, it’s important to keep your properties in great shape in order to attract and retain tenants, reduce maintenance costs, and protect your investment. Here are some maintenance tips to help you keep your rental properties in top condition:

Conduct regular inspections

Regular inspections can help you identify maintenance issues before they become more serious and costly to fix. Schedule inspections at least twice a year to check for any problems, such as leaks, cracks, or damage to appliances.

Invest in preventative maintenance and address repairs promptly

Investing in preventative maintenance can save you money in the long run. For example, regularly cleaning gutters can prevent water damage, and regular HVAC maintenance can help extend the life of your heating and cooling systems. Which can prevent any issues down the line, but when a tenant reports a maintenance issue, make sure to address it promptly. Delaying repairs can lead to further damage and may result in dissatisfied tenants who may consider moving out.

Keep the property clean and update appliances

Regular cleaning of common areas and outdoor spaces can help prevent damage and keep tenants happy. Consider hiring a cleaning service to keep the property in good condition. Also, outdated appliances can be a major turnoff for tenants. Consider updating appliances in your rental properties to make them more attractive to potential renters.

Hire professional contractors and stay up to date with building codes

When it comes to major repairs or renovations, it’s best to hire professional contractors. They have the expertise and experience to get the job done right and ensure that your rental property is safe and up to code. Staying up to date with building codes can help you avoid costly fines and legal issues. Make sure to follow all local and state building codes and regulations.

Communicate with tenants

Communication with tenants is key to maintaining a good landlord-tenant relationship. Keep tenants informed about any maintenance issues or repairs, and make sure to address their concerns in a timely manner.

Plan for emergencies and budget for maintenance costs

Budgeting for maintenance costs can help you avoid financial surprises and ensure that you can cover the cost of any repairs or upgrades. Since, emergencies can happen at any time, so it’s important to have a plan in place. Make sure tenants know who to contact in case of an emergency and have a list of trusted contractors and repair services on hand.

By following these maintenance tips, you can help keep your rental properties in great shape and attract and retain happy tenants.