Owner FAQs

Getting Started

• Do you sell real estate too?

  YES! We are a FULL service brokerage! While our primary focus at Rent Right is property management, our sister sales division, Home Right, specializes in buying and selling properties. If you’re looking to buy or sell, we’re happy to connect you with an amazing and knowledgeable Sales Agent.

  SALES

• What type of properties do you manage?

  We manage a wide range of properties, including single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and small to large multi-unit properties. All properties are unfurnished and start with a 12-month lease term.

• How do I get my property ready to rent?

  Our Rent Ready Standards are designed to help set your property up for success, avoid common mistakes, and maximize your return on investment. We can meet with you at your property, share insights from our extensive experience, and guide you through improvements that attract quality Residents. Rent Right is more than happy to expedite this process and take any and all of this off of your plate. We can utilize vendors and oversee getting your property into rentable condition on your behalf. If you choose this route, we will need funds prior to ordering work. Any delays in funds also delay the scheduling of work, which ultimately delays getting a Resident.

• What is included in the Rentable Condition Inspection?

  We provide a checklist of items needed to be addressed before we can market the property for rent. We encourage you to walk the property with a fresh perspective, just as a potential Resident would. This involves evaluating the property’s condition from the street to the interior to ensure it feels like a place someone would be proud to call home.

• How soon can you start managing my property?

  After previewing the property and deciding we are a good business fit, we can begin as soon as all necessary documents are signed, the setup fee and property reserve are paid, and begin to get the property to Rent Ready Standards. We’ll work with you to create a timeline that ensures a seamless transition.

• Why don’t you manage furnished rentals?

  Inventory Management Hassles

  As a property owner, you know how time-consuming and tedious it can be to keep track of every fork, spoon, lamp, knick-knack, and piece of furniture in your rental property. As Michael Yarnes wisely put it, “We don’t count forks!” That’s why we focus on unfurnished properties, where these logistical challenges simply don’t exist. It’s one less thing for you to worry about, allowing us to keep the management process efficient and straightforward.

  Maintenance Requirements

  When you provide furnishings at the property, you’re also taking on the responsibility to maintain them throughout the lease term. For example, if a couch or bed frame breaks, it falls on you, the owner, to address the issue—leading to additional costs and potential complications. Plus, it can be difficult to determine whether a resident is truly responsible for damages, especially when normal wear and tear occurs. This opens the door for potential disputes and headaches, not only for you but also for us as we work to resolve the situation.

  Respect for Property

  Unfortunately, we live in a time where people often don’t treat others' belongings with the same care and respect they would their own. By avoiding furnished rentals, we help protect you from the frustration and financial burden that comes with furniture and household items being mistreated or damaged. It’s one less risk to worry about when it comes to the condition of your property.

  Liability

  Finally, we all know how litigious society has become, and even seemingly small incidents can lead to significant legal concerns. What happens if a resident injures themselves using an owner-provided lawnmower, or a stool breaks, causing them to fall? By avoiding the complexities of furnished rentals, we help reduce your liability and protect you from unnecessary risks and potential lawsuits.

  In short, our focus on unfurnished properties simplifies property management, reduces risks, and keeps your investment protected. We’re here to handle the details, so you can focus on what matters most.

• Why don’t you manage short term rentals?

  Cost-Heavy Management Model

  As a property owner, you need to understand that property management costs are front-loaded. We typically don’t see a return on investment until around month nine. With short-term rentals, this becomes even more challenging. The shorter the lease term, the harder it is to achieve a solid ROI. While short-term rentals may offer the allure of higher rent per night, the frequent turnover and increased operational costs can delay profitability, making it harder to see a return on your investment.

  Vacancy Costs

  Frequent vacancies are a major financial drain, and with short-term rentals, turnover is built into the model. The constant need for new tenants means more vacant days, and that translates into lost rent and increased costs for preparing the property for each new guest. These gaps in occupancy can quickly add up, diminishing the financial stability of your investment.

  Increased Wear and Tear

  With short-term rentals, you experience far more frequent move-ins and move-outs, which naturally leads to more wear and tear on the property. More people coming and going means your property will experience higher usage, resulting in increased maintenance costs. Over time, this can negatively affect your property's condition and, ultimately, its long-term value. As a property owner, you’ll need to consider the cumulative effect of these frequent turnovers, both in terms of maintenance expenses and depreciation in value.

  While short-term rentals may offer higher per-night rental rates, they also come with increased challenges, including more vacant days, higher management costs, and more frequent repairs. At Rent Right, we help you weigh these factors carefully to ensure your investment works for you.

Marketing & Leasing

• How does Rent Right market my property?

  We go beyond basic advertising by hiring experienced professional photographers to capture your property’s best features. We list it on over 60 major sites, including Rent.com and Trulia, and guide potential Residents through agent-led showings during business hours.

• What if my property is vacant for an extended period?

  We use advanced marketing strategies and professional photography to attract the right Residents as quickly as possible. Our management fee is a percentage of the monthly rent collected. If your property is vacant, there is no charge. Our success is directly tied to yours, so we’re both motivated to fill your property fast. Once we secure a leaseholder and start collecting rent, the management fee percentage will apply.

• What criteria does Rent Right use to screen Residents?

  We conduct thorough background checks, credit evaluations, employment and income verification, and rental history reviews to help identify responsible Residents who are likely to care for your property and pay rent on time. While no screening process can predict the future, our approach is designed to reduce risk and place qualified applicants who meet our standards.

• Do I get to see the lease or sign it?

  We handle the lease execution on your behalf to simplify the process and ensure legal compliance. While you won't need to sign the lease yourself, a copy of the lease agreement will be available to you electronically through your Owner Portal after it has been signed.

• How long of a lease do you sign?

  Our standard lease term is 12 months. Near the end of the lease term, we will conduct an inspection on the property and review the Resident(s) payment history. If everything looks good and you are wanting to offer a lease renewal, we can accommodate different lease lengths based on market conditions and Owner preferences.

• How soon can you get my property rented?

  Pricing the property correctly is one of the most important factors in getting it rented quickly. Overpricing the home will cause the property to rent less quickly, costing you time and money. Utilizing our suggestion on price will get you the best opportunity to get the home rented fast.

• Do you manage vacation rentals?

  Oh, no thank you. Michael and Cody Anne gave vacation rentals a try a few years ago, and let’s just say—it wasn’t for us. The constant coordination of checkouts with a cleaning company, making sure the property is reset for the next guest, checking for damages, and dealing with the high volume of maintenance repairs due to excessive wear and tear proved to be a logistical nightmare. Add to that paying for all utilities, purchasing an entire house worth of furnishings, linens, and supplies, and the cost of hiring additional staff to handle all the coordination and oversight—and it became clear that vacation rentals were not the way to go.

  After crunching the numbers, we realized that we could actually make more money by offering the property unfurnished with a longer-term rental approach.

  That’s not to say there isn’t a market for vacation rentals in our area, but it’s just not a market we’re in. At Rent Right, we’ve found that focusing on long-term, unfurnished rentals is a more sustainable and profitable business model for both us and our property owners.

Rent Collections

• How does Rent Right handle rent collections?

  We make rent payments easy with a 24/7 online portal for Residents. If rent isn’t paid on time, we issue a 5-Day Notice to Pay or Quit and guide you through any necessary legal action, including evictions, if it comes to that.

• What if my Resident stops paying rent?

  If a Resident stops paying rent, our Bookkeeper will work with you to explore all available options, including eviction if necessary. We aim to resolve issues efficiently and get your property back on track.

• How and when do I get my rent money?

  Owner payments are disbursed through ACH direct deposit after rent has been collected and processed. Typically, this occurs by the 12th of each month, barring any delays from financial institutions or payment issues.

Maintenance & Repairs

• How does Rent Right handle maintenance issues?

  We take maintenance seriously because it directly impacts both the value of your investment and the satisfaction of your Residents. Requests can be submitted through the Resident portal or by the Resident calling our office, and every work order is reviewed promptly. We evaluate each issue based on its urgency and potential for property damage or safety concerns.

  We work with experienced, licensed, bonded, and insured vendors who provide reliable service at competitive rates. For routine repairs under your property’s set maintenance limit, we act quickly to avoid unnecessary delays. For larger or unexpected issues, we’ll reach out with options before moving forward — unless it’s an emergency, in which case our priority is preventing further damage.

  While we can’t prevent every repair or emergency, our proactive approach is designed to reduce long-term costs, protect your asset, and support a smooth rental experience. You’ll stay informed through monthly Owner statements and direct communication when needed.

• What is the maintenance reserve, and why is it required?

  The maintenance reserve is an Owner-held fund of $500 per single-family home, kept in Trust. It ensures that funds are readily available for immediate repairs, keeping your property in excellent condition without delays.

Ongoing Management

• How often does Rent Right inspect my property?

  We conduct move-in, mid-lease, lease renewal, and move-out inspections, along with periodic drive-by exterior evaluations as needed. These inspections focus on documenting the cosmetic condition of the property and identifying any visible concerns. We’re not licensed home inspectors, but we do provide detailed notes and photos to keep you informed and help catch potential issues early. It’s all about protecting your investment and keeping you in the loop.

• What is the Resident Appreciation Program, and how does it benefit me?

  After approximately 4-5 months of residency, we conduct an interior inspection. If the Resident is caring for the property and paying rent on time, we send a Thank You letter and provide a $50 rent credit split between you and Rent Right. This encourages good Resident behavior, improves retention, and reduces vacancy risks. All residents only qualify for this program once during their residency. This one time per resident cost is split between you and Rent Right.

Financial & Legal Support

• How do I get paid, and when?

  We disburse Owner payments via ACH after rent has been collected and processed. You’ll also have access to a detailed monthly Owner statement through your Owner Portal. Per the Management Agreement this date is the 12th of every month.

• What if I need legal assistance, such as an eviction?

  While legal action is outside our standard scope of services, we assist you by navigating the process and providing recommendations for legal support.

• What is Rent Right's cancellation policy?

  If you cancel before the termination date of your agreement, the $500 setup fee is non-refundable. If we’ve procured a Resident, additional fees may apply. Please see a copy of our Management Agreement for full terms of cancellation.

• What type of reports do I get, and how often?

  You’ll receive a detailed monthly Owner Statement as well as a 1099/EOY Statement that includes rent collection, expenses, and any other relevant financial information. You can access these reports through the Owner Portal anytime