The Role of a Property Manager in Landlord-Tenant Relations

In a pricy rental market, you may have to take what you can afford. However, even the cheapest rental properties have to meet certain standards. They should be livable and provide for basic needs. If your property isn’t in good enough condition to be habitable, your landlord has to make repairs.

Some landlords try to get away with doing as little as possible to their rental units. If the property isn’t up to the local housing code, you may be able to withhold rent until the landlord makes the necessary repairs.

Landlord-tenant laws can depend on where you live. Talk to a landlord-tenant lawyer for legal advice about your situation.

What Is a Property Manager?

A property manager handles the day-to-day operations of a rental property. This can involve showing the property, tenant applications, rent collection, and property maintenance. A property manager is not the property owner. Instead, it could be an individual or a property management company that acts as the go-between of tenants and owners.

What Does the Property Manager Do?

The responsibilities of a property manager include their role between owners and tenants. After a prior tenant moves out, the property manager inspects the property, does any maintenance and cleaning, and puts out a new advertisement for the vacant rental.

As the renter, the property manager is your point of contact for the rental property. When looking for a place to rent, the property manager may show the property and have you fill out a rental application. If you get the rental, the property manager will have you sign the lease agreement and submit a security deposit.

The property manager also handles rent collection after you move in. You can drop off or send rental payments to the property manager every month.

Professional property managers are responsible for property maintenance, landscaping, and upkeep. If there are maintenance issues, you can report maintenance requests to the property manager to get them fixed.

Even though the property manager is responsible for day-to-day responsibilities, the property owner may still be liable for legal matters. For example, if you slip and fall on an icy walkway in the common area, the landlord may be liable as the property owner.

When Can the Property Manager Raise Your Rent?

The property owner or property management services may raise rental rates as allowed by the real estate market and local laws. Some jurisdictions limit how much a residential property manager can raise rates. Check with your local tenant’s rights laws or ask an attorney about the limit on how much they can increase your rent every year.

Can a Property Manager Refuse to Rent to You?

A property manager may choose one renter over another based on the tenant screening. Another renter may have had a better credit score or better reports from a prior landlord. However, state and local laws may limit when a property manager can refuse to rent to a qualified potential tenant.

For example, fair housing laws prohibit housing discrimination based on race, national origin, sex, disability, and other protected groups. If a property manager discriminates against you, talk to a landlord-tenant lawyer about your legal options.

Can a Property Manager Come Into the Apartment for Any Reason?

Generally, landlords and property managers cannot enter your rental property without proper notice. There may be an exception for emergencies. There may be a minimum time limit to give you notice before they can enter to inspect, make repairs, or show the property to prospective tenants.

What Can You Do About a Bad Property Manager?

The property manager should understand the landlord-tenant relationship and quickly address tenant complaints. If there are maintenance problems, the property manager has to address them within a reasonable time. If you report housing code violations, the property manager cannot send an eviction notice to retaliate against you for reporting problems. If the property manager violates your tenant’s rights or civil rights in housing, you can take your case to court.

Small claims courts can handle disputes involving lower amounts of money. You can also contact a landlord-tenant attorney for legal advice. Contact a landlord-tenant lawyer to find out about your legal options.