FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

After many years of property management service in San Diego, we have compiled a list of common questions below. If you do not see your question below give us a call.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE MONTHLY MANAGEMENT?
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MONTHLY MANAGEMENT?
DOES SUNSET PROPERTY MGMT. & REALTY COLLECT RENT, PAY BILLS AND SEND OWNER DRAWS BY ACH?
HOW LONG HAS YOUR COMPANY BEEN IN BUSINESS?
WHAT HAPPENS IF I WANT TO SELL MY RENTAL WHILE A TENANT IS OCCUPYING THE UNIT?
IF I DECIDE TO HIRE YOU, WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?
WHAT STEPS HAVE YOU TAKEN TO CUT COSTS SO THAT YOU CAN PASS SAVINGS ON TO YOUR OWNERS?
HOW DO I SWITCH PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES?
WHAT TYPE OF INSURANCE DOES SUNSET PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CARRY?
ARE THERE FEES WHEN THE PROPERTY HAS NO TENANTS?
WHAT TYPES OF PROPERTIES DO YOU MANAGE?
DO YOU WORK WITH OUT-OF-COUNTRY OWNERS?
HOW DO YOU FIGURE IN THE DEPOSIT AMOUNT FOR A PROPERTY?
HOW WIDE OF A GEOGRAPHIC AREA DOES YOUR COMPANY COVER?
WHERE ARE MOST OF YOUR PROPERTIES LOCATED?
WHAT ARE YOUR PRICING OPTIONS?
HOW MANY PROPERTY MANAGERS WOULD I INTERACT WITH?
WHO SHOWS MY RENTAL?
WHAT IF A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO RENT MY PROPERTY?
CAN I PICK MY OWN TENANT?
HOW DOES SUNSET PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & REALTY LIST & RENT MY PROPERTY?
HOW LONG SHOULD IT TAKE TO RENT MY PROPERTY?
DO YOU ALLOW VACATION RENTALS (AIRBNB/VRBO)?
HOW EASY IS IT TO GET PHOTOS DONE OF MY PROPERTY FOR ADVERTISING?
WHAT ARE SUNSET’S HOUSE RULES? MAY I ADD MY OWN?
HOW LONG ARE YOUR LEASES?
WHAT IF I ONLY NEED LEASING ONLY SERVICES?
WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH YOUR LEASING ONLY SERVICES?
HOW DO YOU SCREEN AND QUALIFY TENANTS?
DOES SUNSET PROPERTY MGMT. & REALTY OFFER AN ONLINE OWNER/TENANT PORTAL?
CAN TENANTS MAKE RENT PAYMENTS BY CHECK, CASHIER’S CHECK OR MONEY ORDER?
WHEN IS RENT DUE? WHAT HAPPENS IF THE TENANT DOES NOT PAY?
WHO HOLDS THE SECURITY DEPOSIT?
CAN YOU PAY MY MORTGAGE, HOA, AND OTHER BILLS?
WHY SHOULD I ELECT TO ADD SUNSET PROPERTY MGMT. & REALTY AS AN ADDITIONAL INSURED TO MY RENTALDWELLING OR LANDLORD INSURANCE POLICY? 
WHAT TYPES OF REPORTS ARE AVAILABLE TO PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE ONLINE/INTERNET PORTAL?
WHAT IF I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT MY MONTHLY STATEMENT OR ANNUAL STATEMENTS? 
WHO PROVIDES AND PAYS FOR A GARDENER?
WHO PROVIDES AND PAYS FOR A POOL SERVICE TECHNICIAN?
HOW ARE REPAIRS HANDLED?
WHAT MISCELLANEOUS FEES COULD I BE CHARGED FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF MY PROPERTY?
CAN A PROPERTY OWNER USE THEIR OWN CONTRACTORS?
CAN AN OWNER DO THEIR OWN REPAIRS?
HOW MANY BIDS/PROPOSALS DO YOU RECEIVE PRIOR TO MAKING REPAIRS?
DO YOU CONDUCT PROPERTY INSPECTIONS AND, IF YOU DO, WHAT CHARGE IS ASSOCIATED WITH THEM?
DO YOU MARK-UP MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS?
WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR MAINTENANCE VENDORS?
WHAT ARE THE STEPS IN TURNING OVER A UNIT?
MAY I REQUIRE A NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT FOR CLEANING OR PETS?
DOES SUNSET PROPERTY MGMT. & REALTY OFFER $1250 EVICTION PROTECTION?
MY TENANT IS IN A LEASE AND I’M NOT HAPPY WITH THEM, CAN I ASK THEM TO MOVE OUT?
DO YOU HAVE AN APP FOR TENANTS WITH SMART PHONES, TABLETS AND OTHER DEVICES?
CAN LEASE CONTRACTS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS BE SIGNED DIGITALLY?
How long will Sunset Property Mgmt. & Realty hold a vacant rental for an approved applicant

Services included/excluded

As part of our overall service, we do all functions for disbursing owner funds, collecting rents, producing accurate reports and monthly statements, handling tenant delinquency, evictions, communications with tenants about violations, 24×7 availability for emergency repairs, and acting as the sole contact point with tenants. Things excluded from the property management service are property inspections, excessive visits to the property, tenant placement, property maintenance fees, court appearances involved with tenant litigation, and handling police reports or meeting with insurance adjusters.

One of the most useful services we provide to owners and tenants alike is our Owner/Tenant Portal. Most of our San Diego tenants choose to pay their rent online through that portal. It’s also very convenient for submitting maintenance requests, general questions, and leasing documents. The owner will be able to view monthly financial statements through the portal, and also to send us the funding for repairs. Important documents such as financial reports, maintenance notes, leasing data, and billing statements can all be viewed and printed from this handy portal.

Getting a property rented out

Most property owners have a keen interest in knowing how long it will take to get their property rented, and we do everything possible to establish tenancy as quickly as possible. In all cases, we strive to have your property leased within two weeks of its initial listing, and we hope to get at least two calls each day from candidate tenants. After those two weeks have expired, and if the property has not yet been rented, we will contact you as the owner to discuss the level of interest which has been expressed, and the rental rate which has been established.

In some cases, the length of time necessary to have a place rented will depend on the time of year, the rental rate, and the quality of the rental property. Property management San Diego recognizes that the best rental periods in the San Diego area are the spring and summer months, and market interest drops off considerably between the months of November and February. It is entirely possible that a lower monthly rental fee must be imposed during the off months so as to avoid a longer vacancy.

We are often asked how properties are shown to prospective tenants, and in our case all property management San Diego showings are handled by a DRE-licensed agent or realtor. This individual will meet with all candidate tenants at the property, and conduct them on a thorough tour of the premises, so they know all its features and benefits. 

Legal procedures

In situations where owners or landlords wish to rent to family members, we will do everything possible to help those individuals through the process. However, every potential San Diego tenant must go through our established application approval process. This means that their credit and background check will be examined, as well as any criminal background or eviction records they may have accumulated. It will also be necessary to verify their employment status as well as previous rental history.

In a related area, it is illegal to exclude a tenant on any basis other than their legal eligibility, based on meeting all necessary requirements of tenancy. When any potential tenant passes all the rental requirements imposed, California law mandates that they must be accepted as a tenant by the landlord. In order to pass all rental requirements, they will be subjected to the normal credit and background check, they must demonstrate proof of funding, and they must have verifiable employment and rental history.

Some owners have wished to impose a non-refundable deposit on tenants in case the premises are left in a state of disarray and cleaning is required. In some cases, damage might also be caused by pets, for instance urine smells and stains in the carpeting. However, according to California state law, all non-refundable deposits are considered illegal, and no kind of non-refundable deposit can be imposed on any tenant for any reason.

Interested in renting your investment property? Contact us today using the form below to receive more information.

MANAGEMENT YOU CAN TRUST

HOW CAN WE HELP?

We would be happy to tell you more about our real estate management and leasing services. Fill out the form below and one of our property managers will contact you shortly.

Military discount for new property owner clients

These are the websites where we list our rental properties.