RentWise Property Management

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(208) 949-3083

      

Ultimate Guide To Preparing Your Property For Winter

Winter is coming! I know, Fall just arrived, right? It is hard to believe that it is almost time to talk about snowy days and crisp air. Property Managers are always thinking ahead, so it is time to tackle some strategic planning before the snowflakes fall. We have created this ultimate guide to help you get ahead of the seasons and avoid any snowy situations.

Planning ahead for the winter months is one of the most important parts of maintaining a property, especially a rental. Tenants depend on their property managers and property owners to keep their homes safe and secure when inclement weather hits. Not only does being proactive keep future costs down, but it also protects you from a potentially costly liability. Here are some of the best tips to ensure that your property is in tip-top shape before the seasons change:

Have Your Furnace and Chimney Inspected & Cleaned

Tenants typically don’t think about the HVAC system in their home until it is time to turn them on. One of the largest dangers, when the seasons change, is a faulty HVAC system or a malfunctioning fireplace. This is a recipe for disaster as both can cause fire and release carbon monoxide into the home if they are not performing properly. While your inspection is being done, it is a good idea to ensure that the ductwork is clean and that the chimney is free from debris. This takes us to our next suggestion.

Inspect Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

With cooler weather comes the use of the furnace and/or fireplace if your property has that feature. Tenants are asked to test their smoke & carbon monoxide detectors each quarter. One of the largest hazards in the cooler months is fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. The fireplace and the furnace have been lying dormant for many months and the tenant will likely assume they are functioning just fine and turn them on.

Clean your gutters

Fall is awesome and beautiful but also can leave a mess at your property. Another suggestion to prepping your property for winter is to ensure your gutters are free of leaves, branches, and other debris. If your gutters are full, it will weigh the gutters down. Also, ice may accumulate in the gutters from improper drainage. The extra weight from snow/ice/debris may cause the gutters to fall off your home while damaging the exterior in the process.

Inspect The Roof

The extra weight of snow and ice on a roof that is not in great shape can act like a ticking time bomb. This may cause leaks or even collapse of the roof into your rental. Having a certified roofing contractor giving your roof a good once-over will ease your mind and inform you of the remaining life of your roof.

Drain Sprinklers and Wrap Exterior Pipes

Draining sprinkler systems and wrapping exterior pipes and spigots will prevent leaks and frozen pipes. Standing water in pipes or irrigation systems will almost certainly freeze. This causes the pipes to crack and sometimes burst which in turn can cause water damage and a large mess to clean up!

Trim Trees

This is a tip that sometimes gets overlooked. Snow and ice love to sit on tree branches. If there is a tree close to your property you do not want the tree to break and fall on the property or other exterior features.

Inspect Exterior for Trip and Fall Hazards

Inspecting and repairing any trip and fall hazards is one of the most important steps you can take in getting your home ready for winter. Cracked sidewalks, broken handrails, loose decking are all liabilities and require your immediate attention. This is true anytime, but especially when mother nature is in control in the winter.

Check Trim on Doors and Windows

Increased drafts inside a home will cause the HVAC system to work harder. This means added wear and tear on your furnace and your property which will result in additional costs sooner than later. Having an energy-efficient home not only protects your pockets from a costly HVAC replacement, but it also keeps your home in great shape by keeping the elements outside where they belong.

As you can see, there are many effective ways to protect your property. We care about our property owners and tenants just like our friends and family. We would love to have you as part of our RentWise Family! For more information on how we make things “Less Hassle, More Happy”- visit us here! 

What To Consider When Adding A Roommate To Your Lease

There are many reasons why you may want to add a roommate to your existing lease. Maybe your existing roommate is getting married or moving out of state, or you just need someone to share your rent. This is very common.  Many times, there are great advantages to adding someone new to your household. This includes sharing utilities, expenses, and having company. Allowing someone to reside in your household without taking the right steps is not only considered illegal subletting but can set you up for eviction and/or fees and fines.  There are a few boxes that you need to check before allowing someone new to move into your home. 

Check your lease

First things first, you need to check your lease to see the protocol for adding a new tenant. It is likely that your proposed roommate will have to complete a new rental application and go through the screening process. Once they sign an application, they are now legally responsible for the rent, just as you are. Furthermore, it will help to know what you have to do on your end to make sure you are following the agreement you signed. 

Are there fees? 

Additional tenants occupying a property can mean more wear and tear so there may be some costs associated with adding a roommate. Here at RentWise, we request a $250 fee to process the application, screen the proposed tenant, and completed the required documentation needed to update the resident’s file. 

Communicate with your property manager

Communication is always key in maintaining a healthy relationship- especially when it comes to the professional managing your property. Talking with your property manager prior to committing to a new household resident will save you all a logistical headache. Your property manager will appreciate a heads up that you are considering adding a tenant and will be more open to working with you. 

Be sure that  you choose your new roommate wisely

Last but not least, make sure that you have truly thought out your decision to add someone new to your residence. Having a new roommate can be exciting, but may not actually be the best choice in the long run. Once you complete the steps to add a roommate, it is a hassle to undo them. Releasing a roommate requires you to submit income statements and additional documentation. This will show your property manager that you are able to handle the lease requirements on your own.

If you want to know more about our services, reach out to us at 208-949-3083 or courtney@rentwisepm.com. Less Hassle. More Happy.

Utility Companies For The Properties That We Manage

 

Moving in made easy! Here at RentWise, we understand that moving into a new home can come with its own set of stressors. Our goal is to make our residents’ move-in process as seamless as possible for the tenant and property owner! Also, as experts in the property management industry, one of the things we pride ourselves on, is being prepared! Our lease agreement includes many different segments of information regarding utilities and requirements. The details help to assist in making the transition between residents a breeze! 

When a lease has been signed,  the resident has 48 hours to return the Utility Transfer Form to our office. Furthermore, to make things simple, we ensure a properties’ utilities will be active between residents For convenience, we ask that the utilities be transferred into the residents’ names within 3 days prior to moving in. In the Treasure Valley, there are several utility companies that support the properties we manage. 

Here are the main utility companies that we work with:

Idaho Power Company

www.idahopower.com 

(208) 388-2323 or (800) 488-6151

Start, Stop or move your service here.  

New requests to start, stop or move service are processed within 24 hours of the next business day. If you are starting service, your first bill may include a setup fee of $20.
Idaho Power Company has a convenient online portal that you can pay your bill, track and compare energy use, update your account information, and more! 

Intermountain Gas Company 

https://www.intgas.com/

(208) 377-6840 or 800-548-3679

Start, Stop, or Move your service here.

Please note:
Do not use the online forms if you need service within the next two business days.  Intermountain Gas Company has a convenient and user-friendly website for its customers to pay bills, track usage, request level pay, and more!

City of Boise: Wastewater & Trash/Recycling

https://www.cityofboise.org/departments/public-works/utility-billing/utility-billing-residential/

To set up a new service, please call (208) 608-7460
Your utility bills can be paid online, through auto-pay, in-person, over the phone, or by mail.

SUEZ Water Idaho

https://www.mysuezwater.com/idaho/standard-home

Email: suezidcustserv@suez-na.com
Phone: (208)362-7304
You can use their 24/7 self-service options to quickly obtain your account balance, pay your bills, and confirm your information.

Our motto is “Less Hassle, More Happy” and we strive to be the best in the business! If you are looking for a group of experts who know how to help you make the most of your investment, contact us today! 

Benefits of having a Virtual Property Management Company

One trend that you may have heard a lot about recently is having a “Virtual Office.” As your property manager, we strive everyday to ensure that we are providing outstanding, convenient, unmatched service to our clients and residents. We are able to continue to do this by being a virtual business.
There are many reasons why going virtual is beneficial, here are 5 reasons below:

The ability to manage properties
anytime, anywhere

Being virtual affords us the ability to assist and manage our properties from anywhere in the world. The market is always changing. We are able to update property metrics and listing information instantaneously. We are able to market properties quickly and update our social media information. This is a surefire way to know that the business can continue running smoothly no matter what is going on in the world around us. 

Keep operating costs down

We do not have a brick and mortar office. This allows us to source the funds elsewhere that we would otherwise be spending on building upkeep; such as maintaining reasonable property management fees.  We invest in the highest quality of applications and technology to provide a seamless experience for our investors and residents. This includes a revolutionary owner and tenant portal to pay rent, submit requests and view importation documentation. 

Communication

Communication is one of the largest components of successful property management. Being virtual allows us to take this to another level. We have the ability to reach all of our clients and tenants at once.  We are able to send out financial reports and updates to our investors in real-time. This makes it easier for property managers to make recommendations and maximize your earning potential based on market trends. We always keep your bottom line in mind. Being virtual cuts back on vacancy times due to the effectiveness of electronic screening and leasing. 

Documentation

Our property management team has the ability to access all documents and records from their own workstation. This keeps our service consistent and efficient.  Any announcement, request, or interaction comes with a time stamp. As a result, we are able to keep thorough records and document each interaction as it happens, to avoid any misunderstanding.  Through our state of the art software, we track maintenance requests and send out status information quickly. Additionally, we are able to send out digital invoicing and collect rent digitally for accurate record keeping. All of this is done to maintain consistency and continuity for our clients. 

Health and Safety

Nothing is more important to us than keeping our clients safe and secure. The past few years have proven challenging for every industry. Here at RentWise, we were already running as a virtual property management company prior to COVID-19,  so there were no adjustments needed to continue our daily responsibilities. Running a virtual office minimizes daily staff, walk-in, and vendor contact. This is exponentially important as we are all able to maintain a healthy work environment by keeping our distance. Keeping ourselves as well as our residents, investors, and vendors healthy is a guarantee that we can continue providing consistent service without delay. Our virtual dynamic also affords us the opportunity to conduct training on a more frequent basis. 

 

It is our ultimate goal here at RentWise to be the best in the business. We take pride in our team and the properties that we manage. If you would like more information on how we can help make owning an investment property “Less Hassle, More Happy”- we would love to speak with you! Give us a call at 208-949-3083 or email courtney@rentwisepm.com

The importance and types of insurance for property management and vendors.

Managing the property of clients can be very rewarding. As professionals, we always have the best interest of our clients in mind. We must also consider many factors, such as awareness of all of the potential risks we may face and how to protect the business. The risks may vary but can include vandalism, theft, legal and/or lawsuit compensation, fire, and so on. Having adequate insurance coverage helps to protect our assets and keeps the business running. 

We also require the vendors that we hire to supply insurance. This protects the property owner, property management, the tenant, and of course the vendor. This may include auto liability or a general liability policy. Ensuring that each one of these vendors has adequate coverage in line with their type of business operations is key. 

Some examples of insurance for a property manager and vendors include:

 

Property Management

  • Professional Liability Insurance(Sometimes called Errors and Omissions insurance or E&O) The types of claims that fall under professional liability may include:
    Tenant Discrimination- a potential or current tenant claims that property wasn’t rented to them or faced harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, children, or national origin.
    Wrongful Eviction- While the lease is still valid, a tenant believes they were unlawfully evicted. They may sue for damages such as the cost of moving, lost wages, the cost of the replacement lease/deposits, etc.
    Property Damage by Error-failure to inspect fire extinguishers and fire caused damage to the property where it could have been prevented with a fire extinguisher. Failure to investigate complaints or maintenance requests(such as noise, pets, pet, plumbing) that may result in further damage to property.
  • General Liability Insurance-The types of claims that fall under General Liability may include:
    Property damage- The example is similar to the Professional Liability claim. Damage was caused to the property whether it be a failure to inspect, investigate or mitigate. It also includes accidentally damaging a tenant’s property during a showing or walk-through.
    Resident injury- This includes failure to maintain safe public premises for tenants and guests such as handrails, trip and fall hazards, snow and/or ice removal (depending on the lease contract) electrical hazards, environmental hazards.

Vendor/Contractor 

  • General Liability Insurance– sometimes called Commercial General Liability Insurance. Two of the main concerns with a General Liability Policy are:
    Property Damage– a vendor damages the property while performing a service or maintenance request. This could be accidental or negligence.
    Customer or tenant injury– ie: if you tripped over a vendor’s toolbox and needed medical attention.
    Commercial Auto Liability- covers property damage or injury caused by a vehicle used on the job.

 

Our Why

As a property management team, we act on behalf of the owner and treat the investment as if it is our own. We are experts in property management as this is all we do, so rest assured it is our only priority.  Learn more here about the benefits of doing business with an experienced, dedicated, team of professionals who take pride in the success and protection of our clients.

 

 

 

 

Assistance Animal Documentation

Are you concerned about a potential or current tenant giving you false assistance animal documentation? Yes, we were to for a while. The number of letters and notes we have received over the years from both legitimate and not so legitimate sources has skyrocketed in the last few years.

How can you know when an assistance animal letter is truly legitimate?

Well, thanks to a recent investigation led by HUD with the help of NARPM members and several lobbyists in our industry, websites that sell assistance animal documentation are under a microscope. While there is no “quick fix” to this epidemic of false documentation it certainly helps to weed out a tremendous amount of potentially false documents that can be purchased across the internet leaving property managers to sift through the legitimacy of the documentation while also being able to identify a tenant with a true need for an assistance animal.

What can you do to protect your investment?

Here is a list of items you can request from a current or potential tenant when it comes to assistance animals and/or pets.

  • Letter from a medical professional or a person in a position to know, dated within the last 12 months.
  • Verification that the animal is current on all shots/vaccinations.
  • Verification that the animal is licensed in accordance with city or state law.
  • You can ask; what service does the animal perform? (It is illegal to ask what the persons disability is.)

Here at RentWise, we use a third-party screening company called petscreening.com to verify assistance animals and/or pets. They gather all the proper documentation and ask the questions allowed by the ADA. It is a free service for anyone who has an assistance animal and a minimal cost to anyone who has pets.

If you are interested in reading more about this investigation we have provided the press release link below.

https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_19_162 

Would you like to learn more about our services and how owning a rental property can be LESS HASSLE, MORE HAPPY? Visit our website at www.RentWisePM.com or call us at 208-949-3083.