“Serving the Flathead Valley”

 Owner FAQ

 

Rent amounts are determined by finding the “fair market” rent value of comparable properties in the area. We do extensive research using internet, other management companies and our own expertise in a walk through to provide the rental rate recommendation to you.

In addition to our own highly visited website, we post properties to dozens of different websites including very popular sites like Craigslist(no address attached to ads) Zillow, Trulia, AHRN, Apartments.com, and Hotpads. Our software allows us to quickly advertise vacancies online, posting to our website, and dozens of other listing sites. Applicants can also apply right from their smartphones.

We understand the importance of finding responsible and reliable tenants. We require a detailed application from each adult. We will process the application by completing current and previous tenant verifications, income qualification, we run a background, rent history and credit check. We call each of the applicant’s provided references for a thorough understanding of each possible tenant.

Unless otherwise requested by the property owner, our leases are for 1 year or less(May 31 termination in most cases.)At the end of the initial lease term the contract becomes a month to month tenancy. We will typically contact you 30-60 days prior to the lease expiration to inquire about offering the tenants another one-year lease or keeping them on a month to month agreement, we will also recommend any rent increases that we feel are justified.

The rent is due on the first of each month and late fees are assessed if rent has not been received by the 5th of the month. If we have not received payment, we will contact the tenant promptly. We initially work to resolve any rent payment issues without legal action. If it becomes clear that the tenant is unable or unwilling to pay any more rent, you will be notified to discuss options for removing them from your property.

Our leases specify that if rent is not received by the fifth of the month, a late fee is assessed. In order to avoid violating trust accounting laws, we need to wait until rent checks clear before we can send payment to you. Owner disbursements are directly deposited into the bank account of your choice between the 12th & 15th of each month.

Total Property collects all rental payments from tenants, and then uses these funds to manage the monthly operations of your property. Any residual income remaining is dispersed to your account.

All security deposits are placed in a separate Trust Account at a FDIC insured banking institution where they remain until the tenant moves out. Deposits minus any damage noted are refunded within 30 days of the end of the tenancy as required by Montana State Landlord Tenant Law.

We can pay monthly recurring bills associated with your rental property at no additional cost except for taxes, mortgage payments, and association dues. These bills may include utility service, pool care, lawn/landscape care, etc.

Our standard management allows us to take care of repairs without bothering you up to $200 dollars. In the case of a repair in excess of $200, you will be contacted for approval. However, we need to keep in mind that MT State Landlord Tenant Law provides us with specific timelines on repairs being done, so time is of the essence when dealing with repairs at your property.

We conduct a 6 Month inspections the first year of tenancy, and 1 inspection every year thereafter. Additional inspections are conducted if necessary. We drive by each of our properties seasonally at minimum to inspect the exterior and yard.

We specialize in residential homes, multi-family housing, and commercial properties throughout Flathead County.

Total Property is a full service management company. We handle everything pertaining to your rental property. We assess rent amounts, we coordinate repairs, place ads, meet and screen prospective tenants, place a tenant in the home, provide a monthly statement and surplus check to the owner, annual tax statements and maintenance inspections. We also provide emergency repair service and internet advertising including interior and exterior pictures of your rental home.

We have licensed Property Managers & Real Estate Agents.

Yes, generally the cost of management services is deductible, just like your mortgage interest, property taxes and the cost of repairs. (See your tax advisor for details.)

The property should be in the best possible condition to attract a quality tenant. Paint should be in good shape with marred or dirty areas touched up, carpets or flooring cleaned, needed repairs fixed, light bulbs replaced, carbon monoxide and smoke alarms installed and checked for operation. The home should be “detailed” clean and the yard should be maintained until occupied.

This will depend on the current market conditions and rental price that is asked for each property. At the time of our initial meeting we will advise of our best professional opinion given these dynamics but cannot make guarantees.

Our owners will set their policy around the acceptance of pets in their properties. Ultimately limiting pets may limit the pool of Renters.