Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Your search results

Property Management-Canoga Park

 CANOGA PARK PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Granada Hills Property Management

Chatsworth Property Management

Winnetka Property Management

Tarzana Property Management

 

 

One of the biggest issues landlords, property managers, and tenants seem to have is the handling of the security deposit. Smart landlords require them—and all landlords should. Here are some basic points about security deposits you should know and be ready to share with your tenants whenever questions arise.

The security deposit is:

  • Money collected up front to compensate for damages. At the termination of the lease, any repairs, cleaning fees or other expenses incurred to take care of damages outside ordinary wear and tear will be taken out of the tenant’s prepaid security deposit.
  • Money collected up front to compensate for failure to pay rent, fees and late charges. In case a tenant fails to pay rent, fees or late charges, the landlord may get compensation from the security deposit.
  • The best way to prevent financial squabbles between landlords and tenants. Once the tenant has moved out, it’s nearly impossible to chase him or her down to collect for lost rent or damages.

The security deposit is not:

  • The last month’s rent. You should not allow a tenant’s security deposit to be used as the last month’s rent. They are two separate categories. Tell all tenants that they need to pay their last month’s rent, and after they are all moved out, you will conduct an inspection and walk-through to determine whether there are any damages to the property, and how much, if any, of their security deposit they will receive back.
  • A savings account. Some states, such as California, require landlords to pay interest on security deposits held for at least a year, but most do not. California landlords may elect to hold the security deposit in an interest-bearing account or pay the interest established by a state commission. However, most states do not have the interest-paying requirement, and therefore, landlords may return all, a portion of or none of the security deposit to the tenant without any additional interest. Check your local and state laws.
  • The landlord’s money. It is your tenant’s money, which you are holding as a small insurance policy against the possibility of loss due to damages or unpaid rent, fees or late charges. Smart landlords deposit tenants’ security deposits into separate accounts which they do not use for business expenses.

By the Way: It’s not up to the tenant to determine whether he or she has caused any damage. Checklists and photos of the rental unit on move-in day and move-out day are a great way to document any needed cleaning or repairs.

Disclaimer:
This site is intended to provide useful information. It is not intended to provide professional financial or legal advice and cannot substitute for professional advice. Seek independent professional advice from a competent licensed professional before acting upon any information contained herein.

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.

Compare Listings