Property Management Solutions – FAQ
Clients that are considering switching or having us manage their property for the first time usually have several questions about who we are, what we do and how we do it.
Who are we?
Brindle Monkey Inc., is the parent company founded by Kevin Jones, a California Real Estate Broker lic#01128892, originally licensed as a salesperson in 1992 and then a Broker in 2001, has owned his real estate company, Broker/Owner since April of 2004.
How long have we been doing this?
Kevin Jones started JONES Management in 1992, managing other clients properties and he and his wife’s California Real Estate portfolio since he returned from the military in 1992
What do we do?
We are a FULL service Property Management company. We do the full rental from making sure the unit is ready to rent, marketing, setting the appointments, showing the unit (Kevin does this himself, it is the first interview, most other managers have an assistant do this) doing the application and screening process, doing the contracts, disclosures, disclaimers and other forms like house rules, to the move in, collecting the deposits, rents and late fees. We make sure the property is maintained to keep its full value at all times. We ensure that your money is deposited in your bank, we hand deliver the checks and deposit in your account(s) if you have a bank in this area. Full accountability of the financials of your property and report to you as you see fit, most owners want a quarterly statement.
Property Management vs. Tenant Placement?
There is a difference between Managing a property and placing a tenant. Placing a tenant is a one time thing and Property Management is a daily thing. For More Information CLICK HERE
How much do you charge?
We work on a flat percentage without all the garbage fees. We are a full service management company, handling the rental, screening, contracting of new tenants, documenting the process in writing, photos and videos. We do the same on the move out of the tenant. Most other companies charge a Tenant Placement fee of a half to a full months rent to do this process. It is included in our flat percentage. The only other fee we charge is an onboarding fee with each new tenant and that is $250.
What is OnBoarding?
Onboarding is the process of taking on a new client and getting them all set up in the various systems for payment, collection, banking, customer relationship management system, etc. For more information: CLICK HERE
What is included in your screening?
We use one of the largest neutral third party companies to run all of our applications. There is a charge of $39.99 to the tenant, an additional $10 if we want income verification and we do not make any money from this service. We get the application on a CAR (California Association of Realtors) form, credit history from Trans union, criminal background, eviction report and income verification if needed.
How do you do your screening?
Kevin Jones does all the initial showings and treats it as if it is interview process. Many qualifying questions are asked, the unit is presented in a salesmanship like manner and the potential tenants are followed up on. We initially will provide a link to the portal for your specific property, review all the documentation and conduct a second interview either on the phone or in the office.
What do you use for lease contracts and disclosures?
We use CAR (California Association of Realtor) forms and general disclosures mainly that are CAR forms also. We do have in house forms such as our House Rules, Emergency Contact Information, 20+ page Resident Handbook, etc.
How protected am I with your lease and disclosures?
Our Lease package is typically between 83 and 86 pages, it is very thorough and complete. Including our Resident Handbook it is over 100 pages. We include all the local, State and Federal mandatory disclosures, some of which include: Mold, Environmental, Water Heater, Smoke Detector, Carbon Monoxide, Lead Based Paint, just to name a few.
How educated are you in Property Management?
We have been doing it for a long time and hold a Property Management Certification through the recommend CAR (California Association of Realtors) courses that has to be renewed every two years.
What do I have to do once you take over?
We serve each client based upon their needs, the majority of our clients live out of town so we generally are in complete control of the property. The majority of our owners pay the utility bills, tax bill and insurance bills. We could pay these also from the rental income if you want.
How often do you visit the property or talk to the tenants?
We generally do a drive by once a week and like to go onsite once a month if the property permits, some properties there is not much to walk around.
How do you collect rents?
We have a form that the tenant receives with five primary ways to pay, they can Zelle (a phone app) where they electronically send the rent from their account to our General Trust Funds Account. They can hand walk cash or check to any Chase Bank location, deliver a personal or cashiers check in the drop box at the office. A tenant can deliver cash to the office and get a receipt, we typically do this by appointment only.
How does the distribution of money work?
Every month on the 6th and 20th we reconcile, distribute payments and make our bank runs. We hand walk a check into your bank, if local, and deposit it for you so that you get your money as soon as possible. If you have a smaller bank that is not local we wil mail you a check each month.
How safe is my money in your accounts?
Our accounts are what are considered “Client Funds Trust Accounts”, we are holder and responsible party for the funds in the accounts, but they are not our funds and are protected by State Law that if something legally happens these monies cannot be touched.
How are your accounts set up?
We have a General funds account that all the rental income comes into, then distributed out. The only money we hold are the reserves for repairs, etc. which is 5% of the rental income and that goes into personal savings account in your name and Chase will mail you monthly statements of the money you have in your account.
What do you do with the security deposits?
We do not hold the security deposits, we forward them to you immediately.
If there is a problem with the building how do you handle it?
We have policies and procedures in place on how things are specifically done. Some of this is in the Resident Handbook so the Tenant will understand expectations of repairs. If it is 107 degrees and the AC goes out, it may be a day or two to be in line with the repair professionals.
How do you keep control of the tenants with California Laws the way they are?
First off we start with good communication and relationships with our tenants. We have a very detailed House Rules that we utilize, we started off with using an Apartment Owners Association form and have over the years come up with our own that is more detailed and addresses more specific items that we have had to deal with over the years.
How and when are repairs dealt with?
We deal with each repair independently, as quickly as possible and each unit, each circumstance is different. We have a crew that do high quality work at a very reasonable price. We do not upcharge, own any part of these companies or make any money for this service.
How can the tenant ask for something to be fixed?
They can call, email, text or most preferred using our portal online.
How do you get your Management Fee?
We collect the gross rents and take our fee prior to paying the owner the balance each month.
Do you have insurance?
Yes. We have Errors and Omissions insurance for both the Real Estate companies and the Property Management companies.
Are you a Corporation?
Yes. We are an S corporation and have been for over 20 years. Brindle Monkey, Inc. is the corporation legally and registered with the Department of Real Estate as a Corporate license as well # 01892221. Our dba’s are: Realty Professionals, JONES Commercial, Property Management Solutions and RENT OUR ROOF that we use publicly, but still have other active dbas including JONES Management the original company we started in 1992.
Why should I choose your management company over all the others?
Kevin Jones is previous military, is direct and to the point, works hard, gets the job done, is nice and a good landlord but also is very firm and good at getting people to understand the expectation and getting them to comply. You will always feel comfortable knowing that Kevin Jones has your back will fight to protect you and will treat your property like it is his own.
For more information or a private interview in person or via Zoom:
Call: 805-473-0300 Office
Text: 818-612-1603
Email: listwithme@gmail.com
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For more Information call today:
805-473-0300
Or Text us at:
818-612-1603
Or email is at:
listwithme@gmail.com
Kevin Jones
California Real Estate Broker
805-473-0300
License#01128892
Property Management Solutions
a California Corporation
License#01892221
Property Management Solutions
RENT OUR ROOF
Realty Professionals
JONES Commercial
are a Brindle Monkey company.
Licensed as a Corporation through the Department of Real Estate
License#01892221