You should ask the property management company if they have a license. Avoid hiring an unlicensed company, as it may cause problems in situations when your rental property has some complaints from the tenants or if there are issues regarding legal matters. Be sure that the management company you accept has state licenses or certifications that allow them to be in business.

Services offered by property management companies aren’t always the same. Ensure that the company you want to hire provides a full service that will suit the needs of your rental home. A reliable property management company should be able to do effective marketing, conduct inspections, maintain the property, or even assist when the property is up for sale.

You need to know how long the property management company has been in business. When a management company has a long experience in managing a rental market, there’s a high chance that they can handle difficult rental situations.

Avoid property management companies that outsource their duties to other people, or be sure to have a clear understanding of what outside services they use.  They may bring in a lot of people, which may make it more difficult for you to supervise. 

Ask the property management company if they are available full-time or part-time. Make sure to know the amount of time your rental property will require before you hire a management company, so you can ensure your property will be managed appropriately.

Property management companies usually manage many rental properties. If the management company you intend to hire manages several properties, it will help you gauge its size and expertise. A company that operates numerous rental properties may have a little less time to individually devote to your property,  but you can be sure they are experienced. On the flip side, a property company that manages only a few rental homes may mean that they don’t have enough experience. Decide for yourself whether to hire a company operating many rental properties or a company that manages only a few properties.

Make sure that the property management company you want to hire is within your market niche. They must have an excellent track record in managing the types of rental properties you own. For example, some management companies have experience and skill in managing commercial properties or multi-story buildings, while others excel at managing single-family rentals.

The management fee is one of the factors that make you decide whether to hire a property management company. In some cases, fees charged by a property management company will depend on how much income is generated by a rental. The property manager should clearly outline the fee structure. Some property management companies charge less than average fees, but they may lessen their service offerings, so be sure to understand what services you're getting.

You should ask the management company if they have reliable criteria for screening tenants before they approve them. It should include a background check, a credit check, an eviction report, and a history of late or unpaid payments.

Marketing a rental property is one of the best tools that can help attract prospective tenants. A good property manager should advertise the property with the use of different channels. Avoid a property manager that relies on advertisement on one channel only and hopes for the best.

If you want to find the right property management company for your rental home, check with your property management company to learn the answers to these questions.