Owning a rental property in Houston is a smart investment. Managing it, however, can quickly become overwhelming.
Between maintenance problems, talking to tenants, and following local laws, daily tasks can quickly add up. That’s why many landlords turn to a professional property management company. But what does a property manager actually do, and is the service worth the cost? Let’s get into it.
What Does a Property Manager Do?
In short, professional property managers handle the operations of your rental so you can focus on the return.
A good property management company helps with leasing, maintenance, financial reporting, and legal compliance. They act as a full-service partner. From beginning to end, these are the steps that the professionals at Flat Fee Landlord do on behalf of their clients:
1. Marketing Your Property
Professionally marketed properties tend to lease faster and attract higher-quality tenants. We do this by:
Listing on major rental platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com, Apartments.com, Redfin, and dozens of other listing sites
Taking professional photos and writing detailed, appealing descriptions
Setting the right rental price based on up-to-date market data
Tracking the market interest and adjusting the property’s details and pricing accordingly to attract more leads
2. Screening and Placing Tenants
A strong tenant screening process helps ensure you get reliable tenants who pay on time and take care of your property. Professional property management companies typically follow a proven, consistent tenant screening process that minimizes risk and protects your investment. For Flat Fee Landlord, we have a 10-point tenant screening process, which includes:
Running credit, background, and income checks
Verifying rental history and contacting previous landlords
Checking for criminal and sex offender history
Reviewing their bankruptcy history and any history of a short sale or foreclosure for the last 5 years
If an applicant passes our screening process, we draft and execute the lease agreement that complies with state laws. We operate in Georgia, Maryland, D.C., Virginia, and Texas, each of which has its own landlord-tenant laws
3. Rent Collection and Financial Reporting
Accurate accounting turns your rental from a side project into a streamlined investment with tracked finances and tax-ready documentation each year. Throughout the year, owners working with Flat Fee Landlord don’t have to worry about:
Collecting rent and enforcing payment terms
Self-managing monthly financial statements and year-end tax documentation
Flat Fee Landlord owners receive their rental payments directly into their accounts.
4. Maintenance and Repairs
Considering the ever-changing climate throughout the United States, proactive maintenance is key to protecting your asset, especially with major ticket items such as the HVAC, roof, and plumbing. At Flat Fee Landlord, our work order process includes:
Coordinating routine maintenance and emergency repairs
Working with licensed, insured contractors
Performing regular property inspections
5. Legal Compliance and Evictions
The right property management company reduces your legal risk and keeps you protected. Noone wants to go through an eviction, but it’s important to have the right team behind you to guide you through the process, especially considering each state has different timelines and laws landlords must follow. During the eviction process, Flat Fee Landlord works with owners to:
Ensure adherence to all state and local landlord-tenant laws
Manage legal notices and eviction procedures when necessary
Offer eviction protection plans and lease enforcement support
Should I Hire a Property Manager?
That depends on your goals and your capacity to manage the property effectively.
If you live far away, work full-time, see your rental as an investment, or a combination of the three, professional property management can help. It saves time, reduces risk, and provides peace of mind.
Most companies charge between 8 and 10 percent of the monthly rent. At Flat Fee Landlord, management packages start at $99 per month. Leasing fees apply only when we place a tenant.
And when your property is vacant, we don’t charge a fee, despite the relisting process being underway on your behalf. We believe, when there’s no tenant, there should be no fee.
Start With a Free Rental Assessment
Thinking about making the move to professional management? Start with a free rental assessment with one of our experts. We’ll provide a custom rent estimate, share how we’ve helped similar property owners, and walk you through the next steps.
The right property manager doesn’t just collect rent. They protect your investment, streamline your operations, and help you achieve long-term success.
Ready to take the next step? We’re here to help.
