Rental Management
We are excited by the opportunity to find you the best tenant for your property.
Marketing:
Marketing an apartment or commercial space for lease requires a strategic approach to attract potential tenants. Here are some effective marketing strategies that we employ:
Online Presence: We list the available apartment or commercial space for lease on our website and on popular platforms like Zillow, Craigslist, Apartments.com, and Facebook Marketplace. We use high-quality images, detailed descriptions, and virtual tours to showcase the space.
Social Media: We use social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to advertise the available space. We share posts with eye-catching visuals, and use targeted advertising to reach potential tenants.
Email Marketing: We send out newsletters and email campaigns to our contact list of prospective tenants, featuring the available space. We use email marketing software to track the open and click-through rates to measure the success of the campaign.
Signage: We place signs in front of the apartment or commercial space for lease, with clear and visible information about the availability and contact details.
Referral Programs: We offer referral programs to current tenants or business owners, where they receive incentives for referring someone who leases the space.
Partnerships: We partner with local businesses and organizations to advertise the available space.
Open Houses: We host open houses for potential tenants to view the space and ask questions. This is an effective way to generate interest and receive feedback.
In summary, a successful apartment or commercial space leasing marketing strategy requires a combination of online and offline efforts. By utilizing these proven strategies, we can attract more potential tenants and find the best fit for your available space.
Tenant Screening:
Screening tenants is an essential process for landlords to ensure that they select responsible and reliable tenants for their properties. Here are some guidelines for tenant screening in Massachusetts:
Non-Discrimination: According to Massachusetts state law, landlords cannot discriminate against prospective tenants based on their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
Credit Check: Massachusetts landlords are allowed to request a credit check as part of the screening process. However, they must obtain written consent from the tenant and follow the guidelines of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Criminal Background Check: Massachusetts law prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants based on their criminal record. However, landlords can consider the severity and nature of the offense and whether it poses a threat to the safety of other tenants or the property.
Income Verification: Landlords can request proof of income from prospective tenants to ensure they can afford the rent. However, they must apply the same income requirements and verification processes to all tenants.
Rental History: Landlords can check the rental history of prospective tenants to ensure they have a good track record of paying rent on time and taking care of the property.
Application Fees: The law is gray on whether landlords and real estate property managers can charge a non-refundable application fee to cover the cost of tenant screening. At Green Hill Property Management, we incur the cost of the application as part of our service. This protects you and saves you money as a landlord.
In summary, tenant screening in Massachusetts must comply with state and federal laws, including non-discrimination, credit and criminal background checks, income verification, rental history, and application fees. Landlords must apply the same screening criteria to all tenants to avoid discrimination. We follow these practices strictly at Green Hill Property Management to protect our clients and the prospective tenants we interact with.
Lease Signing & Move-In:
As a landlord in Massachusetts, here are the general guidelines for the lease signing and move-in process that we follow at Green Hill Property Management:
Finalize the Lease Agreement: Make sure to have a finalized lease agreement that includes all the required terms and conditions, including the rent amount, security deposit, lease term, maintenance responsibilities, and any other provisions.
Collect Required Fees: Collect the required fees from the tenant, including the security deposit, first and last month's rent, and any other fees required by the lease agreement.
Sign the Lease Agreement: Once the lease agreement is finalized, both the landlord and tenant should sign the lease agreement, and each party should receive a copy.
Conduct Move-In Inspection: Before the tenant moves in, conduct a move-in inspection with the tenant present. Document the condition of the property, including any damages or maintenance issues. Provide a copy of the inspection report to the tenant, and have them sign it.
Address Maintenance Concerns: If any maintenance concerns were identified during the move-in inspection, make sure to address them promptly before the tenant moves in.
Provide Keys and Access: Provide the tenant with keys and access to the property, including any parking spaces, mailboxes, or other amenities.
Provide Information: Provide the tenant with any necessary information, including emergency contacts, utility companies, and trash and recycling services.
Collect Renter's Insurance Information: It is recommended to request the tenant to obtain renter's insurance and provide proof of insurance. We offer an easy-to-use platform for tenants to sign up for this service.
In summary, the lease signing and move-in process for landlords in Massachusetts require a finalized lease agreement, collecting required fees, conducting a move-in inspection, addressing maintenance concerns, providing keys and access, providing necessary information, and collecting renter's insurance information.
Pricing:
Pricing for this service for non-property management clients is equal to one-month's rent. This all-in-one cost covers consulting you on positioning the property and setting the rent price, setting-up up the apartment for showing, taking pictures, marketing the apartment, hosting showings and open houses, qualifying and screening applicants, coordinating the move-in deposits and lease-signings, and coordinating the keys, move-in checklist, and providing necessary resident information.