Rating and Reviewing Landlords, HOAs and Property Managers

Rating and Reviewing Landlords, HOAs and Property Managers

As a renter or homeowner, you likely have experience dealing with a landlord, homeowners association (HOA), or property management company. These entities play a crucial role in maintaining the properties you live in or own, so it’s important to evaluate their performance. Here’s a breakdown of how to rate and assess each type effectively.

Landlords

When rating your landlord, consider the following categories:

Responsiveness

• How quickly do they respond to maintenance requests or inquiries?
• Are they easy to reach and communicate with?

Property Upkeep

• Do they keep common areas and facilities clean and well-maintained?
• Are repairs handled in a timely manner?

Rent Increases

• Are rent increases reasonable and in line with market rates?
• Do they provide proper notice for rent changes?

Lease Terms

• Are the lease terms fair and clearly explained?
• Do they follow applicable landlord-tenant laws?

Overall Management

• Do they screen tenants thoroughly?
• Are rules and policies consistently enforced?

HOAs

Homeowners associations require evaluation on some unique factors:

Community Amenities

• Are amenities like pools, parks and clubhouses well-maintained?
• Are new amenities added to increase property values?

Rule Enforcement

• Are rules about property appearance, noise, pets, etc. fairly enforced?
• Are there inactive/outdated rules that should be removed?

Communications

• Does the HOA keep residents informed about meetings, updates and events?
• Are they transparent about budgets, expenditures and decisions?

Reserve Funds

• Are sufficient reserves maintained for future repairs and projects?
• Are assessments and dues increases reasonable and justified?

Responsiveness

• How quickly are homeowner concerns addressed?
• Are board members accessible to residents?

Property Management Companies

When utilized by a landlord or HOA, evaluate the management company on:

Staff Responsiveness

• Do they respond promptly to resident requests and emergencies?
• Are there clear communication channels for reaching staff?

Contractor Management

• Do they employ competent, properly licensed contractors for maintenance?
• Do they obtain multiple bids and vet contractors thoroughly?

Rule Enforcement

• Are community rules, CC&Rs and policies consistently enforced in a fair manner?
• Do they handle violations through proper procedures?

Accounting

• Are financial records well-maintained and available for review?
• Are payments and assessments properly tracked and accounted for?

Violation Procedures

• Do they follow established processes for violations and fines?
• Do they make reasonable efforts to correct issues before penalties?

Providing detailed reviews in each of these categories can give others an accurate sense of what to expect from a landlord, HOA or property manager. Quantitative rating scores along with written reviews explaining the ratings can create a comprehensive assessment.