Choosing the right property management company is essential to the long-term success of your real estate investment. An experienced and reliable property manager helps you maximize rental income, minimize vacancies, maintain your property, and handle tenant relations professionally. However, not all management companies deliver the level of service your investment deserves. If you’re noticing signs of mismanagement, inefficiency, or negligence, it may be time to consider a change.
Below are five key indicators that suggest it’s time to replace your current property management company.
1. Inconsistent or Unresponsive Communication
Effective communication is a fundamental component of professional property management. If your manager is slow to respond to your emails or phone calls, fails to notify you about important updates, or leaves you in the dark about tenant issues, this is a major red flag.
According to a report by Buildium, 61% of rental owners said communication is one of the most important qualities in a property manager, yet it remains one of the most common areas of dissatisfaction.
What to Expect from a Quality Manager:
Clear and timely communication on maintenance, leasing, and financial matters
Prompt responses to emails and phone calls within 24-48 hours
Proactive updates on tenant concerns, inspections, and lease renewals
2. Poor Handling of Maintenance and Repairs
Maintenance is one of the most visible areas where property management companies can either excel or fail. If you receive frequent complaints from tenants about unaddressed repairs, or if you’re billed for vague or overpriced maintenance work, your manager may be falling short.
A survey from the National Apartment Association found that 68% of renters consider maintenance response time a top factor in lease renewal decisions.
Red Flags Include:
Frequent or repeated maintenance complaints
Delays in handling urgent repairs
Lack of transparency in repair costs or work performed
3. Inaccurate or Missing Financial ReportingAs a property owner, you need accurate financial reports to monitor your investment’s performance. A trustworthy property management company should provide clear, timely statements each month that include rent collection, maintenance expenses, and property-related fees. If you’re not receiving regular financial updates—or if the reports you do receive contain errors or missing information—your management company may not be operating with the level of professionalism required. According to the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), transparent reporting and financial accuracy are among the top 3 expectations owners have from their managers. You Should Expect:
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4. High Tenant Turnover or Long-Term Vacancies
Tenant retention is essential for reducing costs and maximizing your rental income. If you’re seeing high turnover or your property sits vacant for weeks or months at a time, there may be underlying issues with tenant screening, lease management, or customer service.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the average national rental vacancy rate is around 6.6%. If your properties consistently exceed that benchmark, it may be time to evaluate your management strategy.
Signs of Poor Tenant Management:
Frequent lease terminations
Long gaps between tenancies
Poor tenant screening practices
5. You’re Doing More Work Than Your Manager
You hired a property manager to reduce your workload and take the stress out of rental ownership. If you’re still coordinating repairs, managing tenant complaints, or constantly checking on the status of your property, your management company is not fulfilling its role.
When the burden of property management falls back on your shoulders, it defeats the purpose of hiring a manager in the first place. A high-quality company will proactively handle all day-to-day operations with minimal involvement from you.
You May Need a Change If:
You’re chasing updates or reminders
You’re handling tasks that should be outsourced
You’re worried about tenant satisfaction or property upkeep
Make the Switch to Next Brick
If any of these issues sound familiar, it may be time to move on from your current property manager. At Next Brick, we help Seattle-area property owners take control of their rental investments with a management team that values transparency, reliability, and tenant satisfaction.
Our services include:
24/7 tenant and maintenance support
Transparent owner portals with detailed reporting
Fast tenant placement with quality screening
Compliance with all Seattle and Washington state rental laws
Visit nextbrick.co to discover how we can help you upgrade your property management experience today.
Looking for more insights on improving your rental ROI? Stay tuned to the Next Brick blog for expert advice tailored to Seattle property owners.
