Owners

Answers to Common Questions

How do you market your vacancies?

We start the marketing process at the time we execute an agreement with you or upon the receipt of a tenant moveout notice. We evaluate your property and design a marketing program which will achieve the most exposure possible for your vacancy. Effective marketing plans are unique and utilize an array of valuable marketing tools. Your property's marketing plan will most likely include attractive signage on your property; website listings in the Multi Listing Service (NTREIS) and on bridgelease.com, realtor.com and rentclicks.com; distribution of property information flyers; contacts with local businesses; working with our Relo partners; and cooperation with other agents and relocation companies.

How do you screen applicants?

We require a detailed written application from the prospective tenant which we use to gather information from our credit verification company and other sources on the applicant's current employment and income, credit history, past and current rental history, and criminal history including sexual offender information. We then compare this to an approval guideline which rates each applicant on a point system, similar to mortgage verification. We also require an application fee and an application deposit of one month's rent plus a property hold agreement which binds the applicant if they are approved. This procedure illustrates good faith and a serious interest in the property from the applicant.

Who pays for repairs to vacancies?

Pursuant to the Texas Property Code, the owner is responsible for health and safety issues. All other maintenance issues, other than normal wear and tear, are the responsibility of the tenant. Our maintenance employees are trained to identify the cause of maintenance issues to determine who is responsible for the repair cost. Upon move out of a tenant, we will perform a thorough inspection of the property. Other than normal wear and tear, the tenant is responsible for damages that require repairs in order to bring the property back to the condition it was in at the time of move in. We prepare a detailed statement indicating the disposition of the tenant's security deposit as required by law. Any charges owed are first deducted from the security deposit and the remaining amount, if any, billed to the tenant. If the full balance owed is not paid, the tenant will be turned over to our collection agency. If they do not collect within 30 days, the debt is reported to the credit bureaus. Depending on the circumstances, we may also file a claim in small claims court.

When will I get my check?

You are mailed a monthly check after receipt of rent payments and payment of outstanding bills. Normally, we distribute the monthly proceeds with the monthly report by the 10th of the month. We also offer ACH depositing which transfers your proceeds from our bank directly into your account.

What about reporting?

We provide a monthly property report which provides a property by property detail of all transactions occurring during the month. It includes rents collected, payments for maintenance issues including copies of all maintenance bills, statement, and distributions to you. We also provide a year end 1099 which shows collected rents for the year.

Who handles problems at night?

Our 24 hour emergency number takes calls from tenants and will respond with the appropriate action. If we determine that the situation is not an emergency, we will handle it the following business day, thereby saving you overtime and weekend charges. If it is an emergency, we contact our 24 hour vendors to provide emergency service.

For questions, contact us at service@bridgelease.com or call the management office.