Find a property manager that answers the phone during working hours.  Some property managers have no provisions to handle problems while they are out of the office. What if you need an answer to your pressing question and no one is there to give you an answer?  The important point is that your renter may need a water heater fixed on a week day, at night, or a weekend.  What does your property manager have set to handle such events?  A good way to check is this out is to call after hours and hear what the procedure is.  I would also suggest calling the property management company during the day to hear what the response time is.  It may not be immediate, but is should be reasonable.

Does the property manager's website have a method for residents to report maintenance problems?  As I mentioned in Part 1, web presense is very important.  80% of renters are now using the web to locate rentals and they will continue to use the website if the property manager has an accomodation for them.

Another element in Communication is the distance your property is to the property management company's office.  The fact is, the farther your rental property home is from the property management office, the less likely your property will be shown to prospects and the less likely your tenant will receive great service.  I suggest that you make sure that your rental house, duplex, condominium, or apartment is within 30 minutes drive time to the property management office.  More than this will most likely result in diminished service.

NEXT:  Part 3:  Screening Renters