Current Owners
FAQ for Owners
Does the monthly fee increase over time?
Only if the monthly rent goes up significantly, the fee percentage will go down.
When do I receive my money each month? We send draws between the 5th and 10th depending on how soon the tenant has paid rent and when the weekend falls. Statements will follow same day or next day.
What are the initial rental fees, and how are they collected?
We collect the first month's rent plus a security deposit. They are collected electronically or by check.
The security deposit is held in a Client Trust Account, as mandated by the Texas Association of Realtors.
How will Key Lime Management find tenants for my house? How long will the process take?
Your rental will immediately be put on our list of available properties.
It normally takes two to four weeks to rent a home, or sometimes a bit longer between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. A home goes on the list of available properties as soon as we receive notice from the existing tenant and your permission to re-rent it.
Many factors affect the speed with which a property rents, including supply/demand, time of year, location and condition. We will recommend a market rent based upon these factors and the house should rent in 2 and 4 weeks.
How is the property protected if the tenants cause damage?
In most cases, the security deposit collected upon move-in is more than adequate to repair the minor damages caused by tenants. Tenants seldom cause much damage and almost never cause damage in excess of the security deposit.
Should the tenants leave the property owing more than is covered by the security deposit, they will be billed. If they do not pay, the debt will be turned over to a collection agency.
How do I get my house ready to rent?
Your house will be professionally cleaned. You should consider painting any room that has dirty or marred walls. A neutral color is best. We will be happy to discuss any necessary repairs or painting with you. Neutral window coverings such as blinds should be left, but not curtains that match a particular bedspread or sofa. If the house has no window treatments, you should consider installing them. The house will rent faster, and will keep the tenant from unprofessionally installing, putting holes in the walls.
Whether or not the washer, dryer or refrigerator should be left depends on your preference. Homes usually rent faster and for a higher dollar amount with these appliances.
The tenants are asked to maintain the yard in the condition it was originally provided to them. Therefore, the yard should be freshly mowed, weeded, trimmed and the leaves and debris removed. If there is a pool, tenants will be required to pay the same pool service that you have employed.
Can I use my own service personnel to make repairs to my property?
We are more than happy to work with your service personnel. However, we do require that you allow us to schedule our own appointments for service at your property.
What does Key Lime Management do if the tenant does not pay on time?
Rent is due on the 1st of each month and considered late after the 3rd. If payment is not received by this date, there will be daily late charges added to the rent and we will notify you. We will try to work with the tenant to make payments before we file for an eviction hearing. In most cases, we will handle all evictions ourselves, without the need for an attorney. As the property owner, you would pay for filing fees. If an attorney is necessary in a contested eviction, you will be responsible for any legal fees.
Will I get called in the middle of the night with emergencies?
Because we handle the emergency calls, you will never be called in the middle of the night by the tenant! A non-emergency repair comes to us as a work order request submitted by the tenant. If the repair is essential to the maintenance of the property and costs less than $300, it will be ordered and you will see an entry for the payment of that bill in your next statement. If the repair costs more than $300, or if there is a question about what should be done, we will call you for direction. If the repair is water or safety related, we will get started immediately and notify you as soon as we can.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes. Discount is 1% less
Do you require that I deposit reserves at the onset of our agreement?
You can either deposit a 300.00 reserve at the beginning of our agreement or 300.00 will be withheld from the first month's rent.
What happens if the tenant leaves before the end of the lease?
Tenants are responsible for the rent for the term of the lease. If they are forced to or choose to leave prior to the termination date, they will be charged for the rent until the property is re-rented to acceptable tenants under the same terms and conditions of the original lease.
When can I expect my monthly check?
Monthly accounting statements are sent, and payments are initiated, between the 5th & 10th of each month. Payments are initiated through a payment system, you should receive funds less than 48 hours later, disallowing weekends & holidays.
If my tenant is evicted for non-payment, do I have to pay another commission when a new tenant is located?
No. If we place a defaulting tenant in your property, we will locate a new tenant at no additional commission charge. This is our guarantee to you that we will find you qualified, paying tenants. If we choose not to renew at the the end of a term to rid a tenant, you will not pay a leasing fee.
What if I don't want pets in the house?
The decision to allow pets is up to you. Additional deposits for pets are generally $300.00 to $500.00 and are deemed refundable only after the property has been inspected to confirm that the house has been left in its original condition. There will be a charge taken from the deposit for de-flea. We recommend you do accept pets. Pets and children are the biggest reason why a renter wants a house over an apartment.
Why should I fix up my rental for tenants?
A well-maintained property attracts better tenants, leases in a shorter time and generally brings higher rents. Well-qualified tenants realize they are sought after, and they shop homes that are in good condition and offer the best value for their rental dollar. The money you "save" by not having the property in top condition will be spent on longer vacancies and the problems associated with attracting less-qualified tenants.
How does the Federal Fair Housing Act affect me?
The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18) and handicap (disability).
Property owners must adhere to the federal guidelines when renting property to prospective tenants.