Owner FAQ

Our marketing strategies are comprehensive and effective. Not only do we use signage, but we also advertise on our website, which gets your property to as many eyes as possible. We are associated with a huge network of rental websites and will post ads there as well. Some of these sites include Zumper, Craigslist, Oodle, Local.com, FrontDoor, Zillow and Trulia, and well over 100 more. In addition to online promotion, we contact location employers who house traveling personnel, list it at all the local colleges and universities and post on local community bulletin boards at local shops near the rental. We also post available rentals on the Facebook Marketplace.

With our tried and tested systems and software tools. We conduct a comprehensive market analysis by gathering data from 5 different online sources and comparing the results with our portfolio. Through strong relationships with our customers, we develop a keen understanding of their financial goals and investment philosophy. With this combined information we set the rates accordingly.

We offer a range of options. These include viewings, advertising, applicant screening, lease agreement and enforcement, rent collection, upkeep and repair coordination, tenant disputes, escrow implementation, and payouts.

Our fee starts at 8% of the monthly rent, and a turnover fee of ½ the first full month’s rent for lease-ups. Rates are negotiable with additional units.

As soon as possible! It only takes 24-hours upon receiving the documentation to start managing and advertising your property.

You will receive a monthly statement displaying all your expenses and income. You can also access this and other files at any time on our website through the owner’s portal. This gateway retains each month’s financial reports, so a complete history is complete and at your convenience.

The management fee is based on the gross income of the property. Thus, if your property is vacant and you have no revenue, there are no fees. The details are outlined in our Management Services Agreement.

Various elements can affect the time of vacancies such as price, amenities, location, and the condition of the rental, and competition in the neighborhood. We know that a vacancy is costly and you deserve the most suitable occupants at the earliest opportunity. We do this through various marketing platforms. Our average vacancy time is a modest 15-25 days.

Before leasing your rental, we vet all applicants with deliberate indifference through a 3rd party screening service. Amongst things we verify is their credit, criminal history (local and national), income, employment, rental history and use this as a basis for qualification. A copy of our rental criteria is available upon request, or on our website.

We adhere strictly to the Fair Housing Act. There are many protected classes. This means you cannot forbid tenants who do not fit your idea of a perfect tenant. You can, however, choose not to allow pets or smoking, but cannot deny an applicant with a service animal.

Before we begin to manage your property, we require proof of insurance and you must be listed as additionally insured. We encourage landlords to secure policies that protect against lost rents, earthquake & mold coverages to defend your best interests. Please note the property owner’s insurance coverage does not usually cover the tenant’s possessions. We also oblige leaseholders to have renter’s insurance to mitigate any emergency.

We provide our clients with nearly a dozen rent payment possibilities. They have access to an online tenant portal to review their ledger or make payments directly with their bank. We also have options that include 7-Eleven and CVS. We believe the process of paying rent should not be an inconvenience.

The lease agreement the tenant signs has provisions for delays or failures to pay rent. They will be charged a late fee, also face the possibility of eviction if failure to pay occurs.

The residents can e-mail our maintenance team at Maintenance@inter-west.com, or via the online portal, or even through a web form on our website. They can call us for any property issues. We will keep you informed of any major concerns that transpire on the property if a payment is to surpass our expenditure limit, or if decisions and feedback from the owners are necessary.

We also provide an emergency hotline for the residents. Our property managers promptly follow up on all reported issues to ensure the tenant remains content. Our maintenance surveys reflect positive leaseholder feedback on maintaining their dwellings.

The law states landlords have an obligation. This generally means the plumbing, electrical, structural, appliance, roofing, and access to secure safe ingress and egress. Repairs due to tenant neglect or damage are the occupant’s responsibility. It needs to be fixed first, and we charge the occupants back for their caused damages.

If you have a warranty, we will utilize the contract to make repairs. The cost will be deducted from the monthly disbursement. All major repairs need your approval before initiating the service.

We perform several inspections for each lease. These are the move-in valuation, several mid-lease examinations (both written interior evaluations, and curbside evaluations), and a move-out assessment. These are documented with photos and a written report submitted for damages or necessary maintenance should they occur. We notify the leaseholders about any modifications that are needed.

Upon your occupant’s move-out, we thoroughly evaluate the condition of the rental. We prepare work orders for our maintenance team and various vendors (carpet cleaners, painters, cleaners, etc.). We mandate the work and verify it’s properly completed prior to disbursing invoices. We compile the charges and separate ‘normal wear & tear’ from ‘damages or abuse’ and withhold the tenants’ deposits accordingly. We complete the final accounting and deliver it to the departing tenants with a refund of any deposits being return or an invoice with details outlining their expense due. Meanwhile, our leasing team works diligently to re-occupy your rental as quickly as possible to mitigate any downtime.

We do not sell Real Estate. By focusing only on Property Management, we are able to provide our customers with the best and most up to date resources that are specific to their rental investment needs. Nonetheless, we have developed great relationships with a number of Realtors in our area and can provide names and referrals upon request.