Encino – Property Management

The dream renter: clean, quiet, and on time with the rent. Not super-human, just responsible. But how do you ensure you get such a creature? Here are a few tricks of the trade.

If you’re a first time property manager or landlord of a small property, and you are panic-stricken by the Bad Tenant Horror Stories you have no doubt heard, show up at the would-be tenant’s current rental before offering a lease. A picture is worth a thousand words – you’ll know at a glance if this person lives like a semi-sanitary soul, or if unfortunately, he or she is the proud owner of an eight-foot boa constrictor that feeds on live piglets (yes, this actually happened).

Owners and property managers a quick phone call to the potential renter’s employer is in order. This will assist in weeding out the irresponsible and unprincipled tenants. Take the time to call their former property manager. Find out if the person listed is really their prior landlord, and not their relative, by doing a search engine check with their name. (Yep, someone actually listed his sister and his sister’s cell phone number, and had her pose as Landlord Lady, who couldn’t say enough about how wonderful he was.)

The credit history gives indisputable information about the tenant’s sense of fiscal responsibility. Because past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, you can save an avalanche of trouble by scoping out a poor credit score. The same goes with their criminal history and what their sense of moral responsibility is; protect yourself and your other renters by weeding out the dangerous and seedy criminals. A Minor in Possession offense 15 years ago is one thing; a recent Receiving and Concealing Stolen Goods conviction or Assault and Battery history is a whole other beast.

Courting Disaster

These steps should keep you from having to go through with the hassle of an eviction. In Orlando, Florida, for example, the eviction process is a time-consuming Court procedure. The property manager cannot just throw the tenant out. Only a Judge can sign an eviction order, and only the police can enforce the order. Florida law does not allow the landlord to attempt to push the renter out by having the utilities shut off or changing the locks. Do your homework upfront, and avoid the ugly Court process.

By Adam Herschkowitz

Since 1946 the Carnahan name has had a reputation for honest and ethical Real Estate Property Management services in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Burbank/Glendale, Los Angeles, Westside and Conejo Valley areas.

The reason for our success is helping owners like you when they need it. Below is a partial list of property management services we provide to help you protect your real estate investment.

• Tenant placement
• Tenant screening (including: credit check, landlord and employment verification, social security trace report, California eviction check and criminal check)
• Regular property inspections
• Accounting and landlord bill payment
• Monthly financial reporting
• Maintenance service and supervision (we use only proven independent vendors)
• Collections
• Evictions
• We supply all the necessary forms to meet California’s Landlord/Tenant laws
• 24 hour emergency phone service
• Advertising to the broadest tenant base possible

Call or e-mail us today for more information. We’re ready to get started!

• Carnahan Property Management services Woodland Hills,West Hills, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Tarzana, Reseda, Topanga, Encino, Northridge, Van Nuys,North Hills,Chatsworth, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, North Hollywood, West Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, Simi Valley, West Lake Village, Agoura,Toluca Lake, Valley Village, Burbank. Call us at (818) 884-1500 and check if we can service your area.