Why Should I Use a Property
Manager If I Live Near My Rental?

That’s a great question.  It’s one we hear a lot!  Even if you live close to your rental property, it’s still a smart idea to work with a professional property manager.  We may be a little biased (because this is what we do!), but we truly believe that managing a rental on your own can be harder than it looks.  There are lots of things a landlord needs to know and take care of:

  • Following rental laws and rules
  • Handling maintenance and repairs
  • Dealing with late rent or tough situations
  • Finding and screening good tenants
  • Writing legal lease agreements
  • Keeping records for taxes and reports

A property manager has the experience, tools, and time to take care of all of this for you. That means fewer headaches, and less risk, for you as the homeowner.

Want to know more about how we can help?  Contact us today!  We’re happy to explain how property management works and why it can make your life easier, even if your rental is just down the street.

Maximize Rental Profits, Avoid Costly
Mistakes, and Take Back Your Time!

Are you a rental property owner looking to boost profits, stay compliant, and manage your time like a pro?  Don’t miss our FREE Property Management Zoom Chat Session, where you’ll gain actionable strategies from our industry experts.  You will Learn:

  • How we will set fair market rents that maximize your income without scaring off great tenants.
  • The #1 reason landlords lose in court, and the simple fix to protect yourself.
  • A straightforward formula to value your time and manage your rental business more efficiently.

BONUS:  Attend your private session and receive a FREE copy of our E-Book, “Investment Real Estate: Your Best Hedge Against Inflation.”  This is a $50 value!

Registration is required to receive your Zoom invite.  Take the first step toward better returns and smarter management.  Register now!

Rental Laws and Why a
Property Manager Helps

One big reason to hire a professional property manager is because landlord-tenant laws are always changing, and they can be different depending on where your rental home is located.  We’ve seen many cases where a landlord who manages their own property ends up in court and unprepared.  In Maryland District Court, if you don’t follow the law correctly, things can go badly fast.

There’s an old saying “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”  That means you can still get in trouble even if you didn’t know you were doing something wrong.  A property manager knows the rules and keeps up with the changes.  We can help protect you from legal problems and make sure everything is done the right way.  Need help understanding rental laws or your rights as a landlord?  Contact us and let’s talk.  We’re here to help!

Why Living Near Your
Rental Can Be Tricky

Landlord Tenant and Manager

If you live close to your rental home, it might seem like managing it yourself would be easy.  But there are some downsides to doing it on your own.  For example:
  • Tenants may find out where you live and come to you directly with problems at any time of the day or night.
  • You might visit the home too often, which can create tension or make tenants feel uncomfortable.

We believe a rental home should only be inspected about once every 3 months, unless there’s a problem.  Too many visits can hurt your relationship with your tenants.

The Lease Matters A Lot

Many landlords use leases they find online or copy from somewhere else.  The problem is, these leases often don’t follow Maryland law or the laws in your county.  If your lease doesn’t follow the rules, it might not hold up in court.

At DMS Properties, LLC Residential Real Estate Services, we use a Deed of Lease that was written and approved by Maryland REALTORS, our state association.  For counties with special rules, we also have access to local lease documents that meet those requirements.  These special leases:

  • Are only available to licensed real estate agents
  • Are not available to the public
  • Help protect you if anything goes wrong

Want to make sure your lease is legal and your rental is protected?  Contact us today! We’re here to help you do it right from the start.

What Happens If Rent Isn’t Paid?

If a tenant stops paying rent, the landlord has to go to Maryland District Court and file a Failure to Pay Rent action.  This takes:

  • Time to fill out the paperwork
  • Up to 3 hours or more in court for a hearing
  • Extra time if the tenant needs to be evicted
  • An eviction company, which can cost $750–$1,500
  • A whole day with the Sheriff if the eviction happens

That’s a lot for someone who’s just trying to earn a little income on the side.

Most Rental Homes Are for Passive Income

Most landlords don’t do this as a full-time job.  But owning a rental still takes a lot of time, energy, and planning.  If something breaks, you need licensed and insured contractors to do repairs, and not everyone has those contacts.

That’s why we offer our Home Owner Concierge Service program to landlords and sellers. We take care of:

  • Preparing your home for rent
  • Handling repairs and maintenance
  • Managing the rent collection process
  • And much more!

You can even check out our Property Management Agreement to see everything we do and how it can help you.

Want less stress and more peace of mind as a landlord?  Contact us today!  We’d love to talk with you about managing your rental home.