1. Notify your mortgage and insurance company that you will not be living in the home. This may require you to switch your homeowners insurance to a landlord property insurance policy. This will provide coverage for losses such as tenant negligence, fire and water damage, or natural disasters.

2. Evaluate your appliances and fixtures. Providing appliances such as a washer and dryer can increase the rent potential of your rental. Keep in mind that appliances and fixtures may need to be replaced during the lease period or during a property turn over.

3. Inspect your home both inside and out for any potential repairs. Inspect the roof for leaks, as well as check the age of your water heater. Water heaters are the most common replaced appliance because of their age. This can be costly, especially if the repair needs to made after hours.

   When a home is vacated, River Roots will complete a turn around which includes a deep clean of the home, carpet cleaning, and the replacement repair of any appliances or fixtures. Tenants are responsible for the cleaning of the carpet. Any damages or repairs will be taken from the initial security deposit.

4. Landscaping and interior clean up. Nothing turns off a potential renter than a home that is not landscaped and dirty carpet. Keep hedges and the lawn trimmed, and remove any dead trees or hedges from the yard. Before a tenant moves in, shampoo any carpets, and add a fresh coat of neutral paint to the walls. This will provide a inviting atmosphere to the potential renter.

There are many factors that come into play when trying to determine the rental rate of your property. Asking a professional property management company and researching similar houses in your area will provide the best data. River Roots Property Management will provide a free consultation and analysis of your rental.

The rent should be equal to the monthly mortgage payment, plus any homeowners association fees and an estimate of any potential repair costs. Most property management companies will also include these factors into the potential rental rate.

Most rentals can be on the market for up to 3 weeks. This is also based on the time of year in which the rental is vacant. Rentals in the winter months, will generally be on the market for longer periods of time, whereas rentals in popular areas may only sit on the market for a short time.

The rental rate can also play a factor in how long a property sits vacant. A property that is listed too high for the area may deter potential renters. Your property management company may request a price reduction or a move in special to move the property.

River Roots Property Management will gather information such as credit reports, eviction reports, paystubs and rental verifications from potential renters. Once the applicant is selected, the first months rent , security deposit, and other fees will be collected prior to the move in date.

Sometimes renters may need to pay their rent after the grace period of five days. Tenants will be charged an initial late fee, and an additional fee for every day the rent is paid late.

Renters can pay their rent via the tenant portal or by check or money order. Rent posted before the grace period will not be charged as late rent.

Monthly owners draws are sent out on the 10th of every month. Financials including rents, fees, and maintenance will be included in the statement. Owners can also log into their owner portal at any time to see financial information for their properties.

Sometimes tenants will need to break a lease before the expiration of the lease. Tenants will be charged a lease break fee. as well as be responsible for the rent until the home is re-rented.

If the renter is active duty military, and on official military orders, River Roots Property Management will follow the military clause of the lease.

Tenants can log into their tenant portal to submit a work order. Work orders are completed within a 48 hour window for non-emergencies. A vendor will be assigned and both the tenant and owner will receive a text message and email regarding the repairs that are needed. Vendors will reach out to tenants to schedule the repairs. If a tenant misses the scheduled repair date and time, they will be charged for the driver fee. Owners will be notified for any repairs that are over a pre-determined amount for authorization.

If the tenant is responsible for the damage. they will be charged and the damages amount will be added to the tenant ledger.

River Roots Property Management offers a 24/7 maintenance line for after hours emergencies. These can include, but are not limited too, no heat, no/little water, or sewage problems. Owners may receive phone calls after hours for any repairs that require authorization.

Evictions are the last step in removing a problem tenant from a property. River Roots Property Management will work with the tenant to arrange payment before starting the eviction process. If a tenant does have to be evicted from the property, we will contact our lawyers to start the process. This can take up to 90 days, or possibly longer to complete, dependent on the circumstances surrounding the eviction.

Eviction status will be placed on the tenant, and the tenant will be sent to collections for any unpaid balances owed at the time of the eviction.