Are you considering self-managing your property portfolio? The decision to do so may prove significantly more costly than you think.
It’s not uncommon for novice investors to consider managing their own portfolios, particularly if they only own 1 or 2 properties.
However, by taking on the responsibility to self-manage, you’re also likely to be taking on more risk, not only financially, but legally as well.
So what are the risks if you decide to forego professional property management?
Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, self-managing landlords are susceptible to legal action if they don’t fully understand the legal requirements for leasing a property.
This can include the requirements for installing smoke alarms or ensuring minimum security obligations, among many other issues.
Furthermore, self-managing landlords may also be vulnerable if they don’t understand their own rights and the rights of the tenant.
It’s not uncommon to hear stories of tenants who stop paying their rent or who’ve trashed their rental property.
In such circumstances a professional property manager will mitigate the risk of this occurring by compressively screening applicants and understanding the legal recourses should such incidents occur.
Self-managing landlords who haven’t followed proper procedures may find that their landlord insurance company either discounts or refuses to pay a claim.
Should the need arise to go to court, a good property manager is able to act on the owners behalf, will know how to adequately prepare for a hearing and have supporting evidence and information to back up their case.
It’s important to remember, also, that the cost of hiring a property manager is tax deductable, so any perceived savings from self-managing are likely to be negligible.
Subsequently, the real savings made from self-managing don’t outweigh the benefits of engaging a professional property manager. Click here to learn more.