Atlanta Property Management Blog

What Types of Fees Can I Expect with an Atlanta Property Management Company?

Working with an experienced Atlanta property management company can help you increase the return on your investment and have a less-stressful rental experience. The services you receive from a qualified management company come with a price, but you can more than make up for those fees with higher rents, more reliable tenants, and lower expenses. The value you receive when you work with good managers is more than worth the costs you incur.

The property management fees you will pay depend on the property you have and the management company you choose. There are a few fees you can always expect in the Atlanta market, however, and we’re talking about those today.

Leasing Fees for Atlanta Landlords

The first fee you’re likely to encounter is the leasing fee. This covers the costs associated with marketing your home and then finding and placing a tenant for your Atlanta rental property. You can expect most property management companies to include the following leasing services:

  • Rental property marketing, including photos, signs, and online listings
  • Property showings, either in-person or through lockbox technology
  • Application gathering and document verification
  • Rigorous tenant screening
  • Collecting the security deposit, first month’s rent, and other move-in funds
  • Lease review and execution
  • Conducting a well-documented move-in inspection

A good property management company will also help you prepare your property for the rental market. Property managers can make recommendations on whether any upgrades or updates are needed to make your home more appealing to high quality tenants. You can expect a competitive rental price based on the local Atlanta market and the local competition.

Leasing fees are charged as a flat fee or as a percentage of the first month’s rent. Some management companies will offer a lease-only service, where owners will pay for the company’s leasing services and then manage the home independently. In this case, your leasing fee might be a little bit higher than it would be if you were paying for both leasing and management services.

With professional Atlanta leasing services, you’ll find that your property is rented faster, and that means you will earn more rental income. You’ll also have a more accurate rental price for your property, ensuring the best tenants apply for it. All of this contributes to a higher ROI and a better rental experience. Your leasing fees will be a wise investment, and will help you earn more over time.

The leasing fee is a one-time fee that you pay at the beginning of your management contract. Your property management company may want you to pay it up front, or you may have it deducted from the first month’s rental payment. Talk to your property manager about any guarantees that come with this leasing fee. For example, if your property manager places a tenant who needs to be evicted within two months of the tenancy, you shouldn’t have to pay another leasing fee to get a new tenant in place. Make sure you understand everything that’s covered in the leasing fee, and what might be extra. Some companies will charge more for advertising and others will charge for tenant screening. It’s important that you know what you’re getting in exchange for the leasing fee.

Property Management Fees in Atlanta

In addition to the leasing fee, you can expect to pay a monthly management fee. Like the leasing fee, this will either be a flat rate or a percentage of the collected rent every month. Flat fees might be in the range of $100 a month. Percentage-based management fees might be between 8 and 12 percent of the rent.

There’s no one way to charge a management fee, and you’ll have to choose a company with a business model that makes you comfortable. The companies that charge a flat fee believe they are saving you money because you pay the same amount whether your property rents for $800 a month or $2,000 a month. They also tell you it’s a consistent fee, and you’ll always pay the same thing.

Companies that charge a percentage of your rent believe that they are providing a better service. While you do pay more if your rental amount is higher, this also might incentivize your property manager to get you the highest possible rent. When you earn more – they earn more, too.

Most Atlanta property management companies will deduct the management fee directly from your rental income before it’s deposited in your account. If you decide to work with a management company that requires you to pay the management fee outside of the collected rent, make sure you find out whether you’ll be expected to pay a fee while the property is vacant. Ask if you’ll be charged the management fee if your tenant doesn’t pay rent one month.

The management fee should cover all of the services you need and expect from your property manager. At the very least, this should include rent collection, maintenance, tenant relations, lease enforcement, and regular accounting. Most management fees also cover inspections and some kind of eviction protection.

There are several things to keep in mind when it comes to monthly management fees:

  1. These fees are probably tax deductible. Talk to your CPA, because in many cases you can write off the amount you pay your property manager. This will reduce your tax liability and cost you less when you consider the big picture.
  2. Your management agreement must be transparent in the amount you’ll pay. Make sure it states exactly what you’ll pay, how the fees are collected, and if they can be raised at any time.
  3. There may be room for negotiation. If you’re bringing a property manager dozens of Atlanta rental properties to manage, you shouldn’t have to pay full price on every single one. You can negotiate lower rates when you provide a larger volume of business.
  4. Expect a complete accounting of your income and expenses every month. A good property management company will provide a monthly statement, where the deduction of your management fee is reflected. Your statement should show the income and the expenses associated with your investment properties on a monthly and annual basis. Advanced management companies will have an online portal where you can access this information whenever you need it.

Additional Atlanta Property Management Fees

The leasing fee and the management fee are charged by nearly every property manager in Atlanta and the surrounding areas. You can expect to pay them, whether you have one property under management or an entire portfolio. In some cases, these are your only costs associated with the professional management of your rental properties. However, there are other fees that a property manager might charge that would not be included in the regular management fee.

Administrative fees

Administrative fees can also be called set-up fees, and they might be charged to establish your account within the property manager’s software and communication system. The cost will depend on how many properties you have, and not all companies will charge it.

Vacancy fees

Vacancy fees are charged when your property doesn’t have any rent coming in. It could be a small, flat fee or your regular management fee that’s charged every month. Find out what your property manager is doing for this fee. A vacancy fee will make sense if work is being done on the home or some other service is being provided while your home is vacant.

Maintenance fees

You may encounter a property management company that charges a mark-up when maintenance is needed. So, if you have a $150 invoice from a plumber for work that was completed on your rental home, your management company may charge a 10 percent service fee, bringing your total maintenance bill to $165. Ask any potential management company if they charge a mark-up on their maintenance and repairs. While this is not necessarily unrealistic, you do want to be aware of it.

Lease Renewal fees

In the month or two leading up to a tenant’s lease expiration, your property manager should talk to you about whether you want to renew the lease or do something else with your investment. Your manager should also talk to the tenant. The negotiation of a lease renewal may result in a renewal fee.

Late fees

Fees for late rent are paid by your tenant, not by you. However, you do want to know who keeps those late fees. Will they be paid to you or kept by your property manager? Some companies will share the fee with the owner. Ask how late fees are handled and when they’re charged to tenants.

Other Tenant fees

Tenants may have to pay other fees, such as pet fees, lease violation fees, or service fees for the payment of things like utility or cable bills. Talk to your management company about whether you are entitled to income from any of those fees, or if the property manager keeps all the proceeds.

Property management feesProperty management fees in Atlanta will depend on a number of factors, including the type of property you own, the size of your portfolio, and the services you need. As you’re interviewing different property managers, make sure you understand what you’re being charged. More importantly, make sure you understand the value of the services you’re receiving in exchange for those property management fees.

If you have any questions about what we charge or how we work, please contact us at Specialized Property Management Services in Atlanta.

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