Austin - Round Rock Property Management Frequently Asked Questions

ROCK Properties' Property Management department knows that the loss you can never recoup is vacancy time. Our program and procedures are streamlined to create an efficient process to get your rental property producing income with the best tenants. We strive fill vacant homes with quality tenants by always screening tenants as closely as possible including checking credit scores, verifying past rental references, checking current employment references, etc. We commit to presenting every possible tenant to the owner of the property for approval within 48 hours of receiving a completed application and security deposits. Prospective tenants will be screened to meet the following criteria:

1. An application will be completed by all prospective tenants 18 years or older to check their credit, work and rental history and to obtain owner approval. If a prospective tenant has a credit score under 620, the tenant may pay a deposit equaling 1 ½ times the monthly rent and/or allowed occupancy by owner approval.
2. Income for all liable tenants combined must be a minimum of 3 times the monthly rental amount.
3. No unpaid judgments or public records within the last two years. No rental judgments or pending bankruptcies.

Find answers to commonly asked questions and learn more about what we can offer you.

• Why should I hire you to manage my rental property?
• How do you charge for your services?
• I live far from my rental property. Does it make sense for me to hire you to manage my property?
• Can you help me find and keep good tenants?
• Can you help me avoid bad tenants?
• Will you show my property?
• Can you help me with administrative and financial details?
• Can you help me with upkeep and maintenance of my investment property?
• When do I have to pay you leasing fees and monthly management fees?
• If you manage all of my properties will I receive a discount?
• How do you do background checks?
• How often do you inspect the homes?
• Where do you advertise my home for rent?
• What lease do you use?
• How do you handle late rent payments?
• Do you handle evictions?

Questions and Answers:

Why should I hire you to manage my rental property?
If you lack the time or expertise needed for day-to-day management of your commercial or residential real estate investments, we can help you:

• Market your rental property to minimize vacancies and maximize income;
• Fill vacancies with the best possible tenants;
• Maintain and keep your rental property in good condition (We handle and coordinate routine repairs as well as emergency repairs and we have the experience to avoid unnecessary repairs to save you money);
• Track income and expenses to determine profitability;
• Negotiate rental agreements;
• Collect rent and track tenant deposits;
• Comply with federal, state and local laws; and
• Respond to tenant requests and deal with problem tenants

In short, we help you make the most from your rental property and we can save you time.

How do you charge for your services?

I live far from my rental property. Does it make sense for me to hire you to manage my property?
We can keep an eye on your rental property to make sure that the tenants are taking good care of it. As experienced professionals we tend to find problems sooner and correct them more efficiently. In addition, we often have contractors we work with and trust for various repair jobs, which can save rental property owners money and time.

Can you help me find and keep good tenants?
Often, good tenants will rent only through a reputable property manager because everything from initially viewing the property, to negotiating and signing the lease agreement, to dealing with maintenance and repairs, to making rental payments is more efficient and streamlined. We focus all of our efforts in finding good tenants through our background check processes.

Can you help me avoid bad tenants?
Often bad tenants will target owner-managed rentals because they can't handle our professional services. They know that when a property is for rent by owner the rent will be less and there will be less scrutiny of their financial situation. Because bad tenants can't be evicted without notice and an eviction can take months and cost you money, we will track references and do their utmost to avoid potential bad tenants and associated eviction problems. 

Will you show my property?
Yes. While it may be inconvenient for you to take time to show your property, and to deal with potential renters who may not show up for their appointments, it is our job to respond quickly to requests from potential renters to view a property and property managers can also pre-screen potential tenants. 

Can you help me with administrative and financial details?
Yes. We handle the financial operations of the property, ensuring that rent is collected and that maintenance bills are paid on time.

Can you help me with upkeep and maintenance of my investment property?
We take care of all the repairs that are necessary on your property, both small and large and either send you the invoice for payment or take the amount out of the rent payment. We have put together a team of maintenance companies over the years that are honest, reliable, and professional.

When do I have to pay you leasing fees and monthly management fees?
Leasing fee is due upon lease signing. Monthly management fees are due when rent is due and deducted from tenant’s rent check.

If you manage all of my properties will I receive a discount?
YES! We offer multi-property discounts; 2 or more properties – 7% monthly management fee

How do you do background checks?
All potential tenants are thoroughly screened through the National Tenant Network (NTN), which retrieves credit history and worthiness, criminal background INCLUDING the sexual predator database, national eviction reports, tenant performance reports, public records, small claim judgments, and collection referrals.

How often do you inspect the homes?
We document the property condition using digital photography before and after tenant leasing. We also randomly inspect the exterior to ensure community standards are upheld.

Where do you advertise my home for rent?
We advertise your home in the Austin Multiple Listing Service (MLS), AustinHomeSearch.com, REALTOR.com, Craigslist.com, on our own websites and many others.

What lease do you use?
We use the Texas Association of REALTORS Residential Lease, approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) and the National Association of Property Managers (NARPM).

How do you handle late rent payments?
We do not tolerate the late payment of rent. We are careful to explain this policy to new residents in order to avoid any misunderstandings that might arise later. You can expect that we will make every effort to collect rents timely and when due on the 1st of the month.

Do you handle evictions?
It is very rare that we have to evict someone however, there are exceptions. We know when and how to execute the proper notices and the time frames by which they have to be delivered in order to be fast and effective. You are only responsible for minimal court fees.

For more information on managing your Austin-Round Rock area investment properties, please contact us.