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What are the Property Management requirements in Florida

What are the Property Management requirements in Florida

  • Posted: Feb 13, 2020
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As more investors are heading into becoming owners of rental properties the questions arise about requirements. There are questions that you need to know the answers to and SFPMA has you covered.

 

A small investment Today leads to Big returns later! List your property management company

Must a Florida property management company have a real estate broker’s license?

YES. Key components of property management (renting and leasing) are considered a real estate activity under existing Florida real estate licensing laws. A property manager needs broker license if he or she is paid by commission, and is handling rentals and leases for others. No license is required for managing personally owned properties. There is not a “Property Manager” license or certificate. Also, certain rental properties need a license through the Div. of Hotels and Restaurants.

 

Are there any exceptions to the requirement that a Florida property manager have a broker’s license?

YES. For example, if a property owner employs someone to manage their property, and that employee is paid a salary, as opposed to being paid a commission or on a transactional basis, a broker’s license is not required.

For more information about these and other Florida property management requirements and exceptions, please contact the Florida Real Estate Commission.

Before hiring a property manager to manage your Florida rental property, you should always check that he or she is licensed appropriately. You can check the license status of Florida property managers at the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Licensee Search webpage.

 

 

More Property Law: Evictions & Security Deposits

Looking for more property law information? You can find an exhaustive collection of state eviction and security deposit laws on our parent company’s website. Click the below link to be taken to nationalevictions.com find everything you will need for an eviction in your State. Full database, Directories, Find companies, Download Forms both Free and for Sale, and much more…

LEARN ABOUT EVICTION & SECURITY DEPOSIT LAWS >>

 

Must Florida community association managers have a real estate broker’s license?

No. However, a Community Association Manager license is required if someone receives compensation for providing management services for the following types of associations:

  • An association with ten or more units
  • An association with a budget of $100,000 or greater

For more information on the Community Association Manager license, please contact the please contact the Florida Real Estate Commission.

 

*Florida Community Association Manager License Requirements

Florida community association manager licensing requirements include:

  • Age: Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Education: Must complete at least 18 hours of pre-licensure education from an approved provider
  • Trustworthiness: Must be of good moral character; must have a background check and submit fingerprints
  • Exam: Pass the CAM exam.
  • License fee.
  • Application: Complete and submit CAM license application which is available online

CAM Licensing Courses: Start your new Career

For more information about these and other Florida licensing requirements, please contact the Florida Real Estate Commission.

IMPORTANT: This information is intended for informational purposes only and under no circumstances should it be considered legal advice or relied upon without first confirming its contents with your state real estate commission. Laws are updated frequently, and this information may not reflect the current law in your state. To confirm the specific requirements for each state, please contact your state real estate commission.

 


Property Management Forms

As you become a CAM Manager and start your business, You will need the Forms to help you, Leases, Letters to Tenants, Legal Documents and much more……..

Just some of the essential forms to assist you in leasing your premises, complying with legal requirements, and keeping relations with your tenants amicable. Forms include the 1. Landlord Tenant Closing Statement to Reconcile Security Deposit, 2. Residential Rental Lease Application, 3. Residential Rental Lease Agreement, 4. Commercial Building or Space Lease, 5. Security Deposit Agreement and other forms.

 

We offer Subscriptions – Where for a small fee you can download and get access to

EVERY FORM YOU WILL NEED FROM THOUSANDS OF FORMS

SUBSCRIBE TODAY TO OUR FORM PACKAGE

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Once you are a Property Manager you need to have Clients Find YOU!  List your company on our National Directory. Let the industry find and use you!

Let Clients looking for Management Professionals to Manage their Properties find you!

 

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How are repairs addressed with Property Managers in my building

How are repairs addressed with Property Managers in my building

  • Posted: Dec 09, 2018
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How are repairs addressed with Property Managers in my building

Maintenance and Repair Costs

Good maintenance and repairs keep tenants happy and preserve the value of your investment which make them a very important part of land-lording. By hiring a management firm you gain access to both their in-house maintenance staff, as well as their network of licensed, bonded and insured contractors who have already been vetted for good pricing and quality work. This can translate into significant savings compared to going through the yellow pages and hiring a handyman yourself.

*South Florida Property Management Association has our own Vendor & Business Member directories these members directly aid our Management members giving them cost savings for any work needed in the buildings they manage. This savings means savings for the building owners.

 

Increased inspections means happier tenants, It aids in the value of your investment

Preventative maintenance is achieved through putting systems in place that catch and deal with maintenance and repair issues early on, before they grow into larger more costly problems. This requires a written maintenance check program, detailed maintenance documentation and regular maintenance visits. The management firm can also offer you suggestions and feedback on upgrades and modifications, both how they will affect the rent you can charge, as well as their impact on maintenance and insurance.

[/accordion-item] [accordion-item title=”Services that Property Managers provide”]The following is a list of the tasks a Manager commonly perform for owners. You may only need some of these services, and the Management companies you interview may offer more or less than what is listed here.

Evaluate the property and determine an accurate rental rate

  • Perform detailed documentation of the interior and exterior including photos
  • Offer recommendations on repairs and cosmetic improvements that maximize monthly rent while providing good ROI.
  • Gather data on rental rates in the area and work with owners to determine the optimal rental rate. Rent research will vary, but should include looking at the recently rented comparables according to size and type.
  • Discuss with owners the pros and cons of different policies such as accepting pets, allowing smoking etc.

 

Market the property for rent

  • Prepare home for rent
    • Clean home and optimize interior appeal
    • Manicure landscaping to increase curb appeal
  • Create ads tailored to the property and advertising medium. Some of the mediums commonly used are:
    • Paid and free rental listing websites
    • Print publications
    • Signs
    • MLS
    • Fliers
  • Work with other realtors and leasing agents to find a tenant
  • Provide a 24-hour hot-line where prospective tenants can listen to detailed information about the property
  • Field calls from prospects for questions and viewings
  • Meet prospective tenants for showings throughout the week and weekend.
  • Provide prospective tenants with rental applications that are legally compliant with fair housing laws
  • Collection applications with application fee
  • Perform a background check to verify identity, income, credit history, rental history, etc.
  • Grade tenant according to pre-defined tenant criteria
  • Inform tenants who were turned down
  • Draw up leasing agreement
  • Confirm move in date with tenant
  • Review lease guidelines with tenant regarding things like rental payment terms and required property maintenance
  • Ensure all agreements have been properly executed
  • Perform detailed move in inspection with tenant and have tenants sign a report verifying the condition of the property prior to move-in.
  • Collect first months rent and security deposit
  • Receiving rent
  • Hunting down late payments
  • Sending out pay or quit notices
  • Enforcing late fees
  • Filing relevant paperwork to initiate and complete an unlawful detainer action
  • Representing owner in court
  • Coordinating with law enforcement to remove tenant and tenants possessions from unit
  • Advise in the event of a legal dispute or litigation
  • Refer owner to a qualified attorney when necessary
  • Understand and abide by the latest local, state and federal legislation that apply to renting and maintaining rental properties.
  • Perform periodic inspections (Inside and outside) on a predefined schedule looking for repair needs, safety hazards, code violations, lease violations, etc.
  • Send owner periodic reports on the condition of the property
  • Provide accounting property management services
  • Make payments on behalf of owner (Mortgage, insurance, HOA dues, etc.)
  • Detailed documentation of expenses via invoices and receipts
  • Maintain all historical records (paid invoices, leases, inspection reports, warranties, etc.)
  • Provide annual reporting, structured for tax purposes as well as required tax documents including a 1099 form
  • Advise owner on relevant tax deductions related to their rental property
  • Provide easy to read monthly cash-flow statements which offer a detailed breakdown of income and itemized expenses
  • Provide and oversee an in-house maintenance crew
  • Establish a preventative maintenance policy to identify and deal with repair needs
  • Provide an network of licensed, bonded and fully insured contractors who have been vetted for good pricing and good work that is up to code.
  • Assign jobs to different parties (in-house employees, handyman and professional contractors) based on who will do the best job for the best price.
  • Maintain outdoor areas
    • Leaf and snow removal
    • Landscaping
    • Removing trash and debris
  • Maintain and monitor a 24 hour emergency repair hot-line
  • Larger renovation or rehab projects
    • Provide recommendations on how the project can maximize rental income.
    • Prepare preliminary cost estimates
    • Get multiple independent bids for the work
    • Act as general contractor overseeing the work
  • Inspect unit and fill out a report on the property’s condition when the client moves out
  • Provide tenant with a copy as well as estimated damages
  • Return the balance of the security deposit to the tenant
  • Forward any portion of the owner’s portion of the tenant deposit to the owner or hold in owner reserves for repairs.
  • Clean unit and perform and needed repairs or upgrades
  • Re-key the locks
  • Put the property back on the market for rent

 

 

How does the community association manager track incoming resident maintenance requests and the subsequent work orders?

A software solution should be in place here. You want to find a manager with a system that does not allow maintenance requests to fall through the cracks and require multiple tenant requests before the work is done. Ideally, tenants should be able to submit maintenance requests online. ( Add the Page of all PM, Landlord Software )

 

How are after hours maintenance requests and emergencies handled and who handles them?

Make sure its someone qualified to handle the problem. The last thing you want is an answering machine or someone saying you will have to wait till Monday to get your or your tenants issue resolved.

 

What system do they have in place to practice preventative maintenance?

Preventative maintenance is the mechanism a manager uses to maintain the value of your property and avoid letting small issues become larger more expensive problems down the road. This involves things like a predefined maintenance and inspection schedule as well as promptly addressing known issues. This of course assumes owners are willing to make the necessary repairs when they come up. Slum lords may balk, but successful real estate investors know that when you’re in for the long haul you have to engage in sustainable practices that maximize property values, not short-term practices that delay (and multiply) costs.

 

Do they have their own maintenance crew?

If the answer is yes, are they covered by workers compensation and are they licensed, bonded and insured? Additionally are they available 24/7/365 for emergencies?  As a member of SFPMA we have a full listing of vendors & business members on our directories for them to choose from.

 

What contractors do they work with?

Do the contractors carry workers compensation and are they licensed, bonded and insured? Does the management company oversee the contractors’ work for quality, code compliance and cost effectiveness? Some owners like to take the extra step of researching the primary vendors that will be used to make sure there are no red flags. All SFPMA members are checked making sure they have the proper licenses and insurance a requirement for membership.

 

What rules do they have in place regarding contractors entering occupied properties?

Make sure they have an established policy here. Anytime contractors and maintenance personnel are entering occupied units there is potential for trouble if the situation is not handled carefully.

 

Do they provide itemized statements with receipts for the work performed?

This adds accountability and transparency to the billing process. You don’t want to work with a management company that is unwilling to provide solid documentation of where your money is going.

 

Do they let tenants perform repairs?

Tenants perform inferior quality work, and their lack of insurance coverage, liability or workers compensation could leave you liable in the event of an accident or injury. Why take the risk of having them accidentally fall off a roof or ladder, electrocute themselves, or flood your home? If they don’t allow tenant repairs, make sure this is written into the rental agreement. If you are comfortable allowing them, at least have the tenant sign a waiver and agree that the repairs must be approved by the manager.

 

Do they allow tenants to hire their own handyman?

This is also inviting trouble, and the rental agreement should prohibit this. In some cases written into a single family home lease some repairs are included in the rental agreement, Find out if there are any agreement such as this. Check to make sure this is not considered a liability hazard although providing these services eliminates the issue of tenant neglect and can improve tenant satisfaction which helps with retention.

 

What is involved in their process for preparing a property to be re-rented after a tenant has vacated? How long does this process take?

The property should get the usual cleaning, paint job, re-keying, etc. but this is also a good time to consider strategic improvements that will maximize your rental revenue. You want to find a property manager that will proactively offer this kind of feedback on an as needed basis. Obviously the quicker the turnaround time, the better.

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Keep up to Date with Training & Events in Florida.

Keep up to Date with Training & Events in Florida.

  • Posted: Apr 22, 2018
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Keep up to Date with Training & Events in Florida.

View the Calendar, Take advantage of Educational Courses or Start your new Career as a Property Manager …

SFPMA has updated our Calendar of Events.  The three areas that have been updated are, The Calendar of Events, An Education Section and Educational Courses.

These 3 areas are set with other categories that define the additional courses that we get from our members and partners all over the State.  As our members we ask you to send to us any future events, courses and Meetings that you wish us to add to our calendar. With many of HOA and Condo owners wishing to become a Board Member and take part in upcoming Elections, I is important to give them informative and educational courses to help them learn what their roles with running their buildings will be.  Many of these Board Members must educate themselves with the understanding of how budgets, maintenance issues even bid selections for projects in their buildings work to what their role in the management of the buildings will be. Once you learn take the course to become a Board Member and register it with your Condo and or HOA. The Learning does not stop there!

Many Courses are being added for Management Professionals, Board Members and Owners so they can learn how to effectively run and govern in their new roles as directors of the many buildings throughout Florida’s Property Management Industry.

 

Add your Events by filling out this form, One of our Staff will call you…….

 

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If you don’t hire someone to field these inquiries, you’ll have to do it yourself.

If you don’t hire someone to field these inquiries, you’ll have to do it yourself.

  • Posted: May 24, 2016
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Vacation Management managers can be found on SFPMA.com

Vacation listing websites help you book renters but they can take up to 30 percent in commissions. While this may seem high, remember that each booking can involve dozens of inquiries for each renter. If you don’t hire someone to field these inquiries, you’ll have to do it yourself.

You probably don’t want to rely on a listing website alone for your marketing. If you do, you may be costing yourself a lot of rented nights each year. Here are some relevant facts from the Vacation Rental Property Marketing Blog about vacation rental owners’ marketing expenses:

Vacation rental owners spent an average of $1,150 per year marketing their properties in 2011.

Half of all vacation rental owners only use listing sites to market their properties. This group experiences annual average occupancy rates of 54 percent.
Vacation rental owners who combine listing sites with their own websites bump their occupancy rates up to 76 percent, on average.
94 percent of all vacation rental owners believe they could be doing more to promote their properties.

Let us help by listing your Vacation Rental Company with us: 

SFPMA has a Directory used by Thousands of Clients looking for the management services you provide.

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