FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Welcome to the Property Management Division of Century 21 Doug Anderson and Associates. Please remember that this office specializes in property management; therefore we have three different departments to serve you. To avoid delays when you call our office for information, please request the appropriate department for your question. If you are unsure of the department you need, simply ask the receptionist and she will direct your call accordingly. We have three departments: Rental, Accounting, and Maintenance.

** URGENT REMINDER ** REMEMBER TO CHANGE YOUR HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE POLICY TO A LANDLORDS POLICY OR A FIRE POLICY WITH EXTENDED COVERAGE. MAKE SURE YOUR NEW POLICY HAS VANDALISM COVERAGE. PLEASE ASK YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY TO NAME CENTURY 21 DOUG ANDERSON AND ASSOCIATES INC. TO YOUR POLICY AS ADDITIONAL INSURED. THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL COST FOR THIS AND IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL IF THERE EVER IS AN INSURANCE CLAIM. PLEASE HAVE YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY MAIL OR FAX US A COPY OF THE POLICY FOR YOUR FILE.

The following is a list of the most frequently asked questions by our owners:

  • Q. Why won't my house rent?

    A. 1. Overpriced
    2. Does not show well (i.e.) cleanliness, curb appeal (including neighbors), and location.

  • Q. Why do I need to have my house professionally cleaned?

    A. 1. The only way we can require a tenant to return a property clean is to give them a spotless property.
    2. This means every surface in the house must be cleaned, that includes: windows, fixtures, baseboards, walls, appliances (in & out), drawers (in & out), cupboards (in & out), garage swept, no debris or anything left behind anywhere, tubs, toilets, sinks, window coverings should be clean, all cob webs removed, lawns should be neatly manicured including all shrubbery and trees.

  • Q. When do I get my check?

    A. Owner checks are deposited directly into your (checking/savings) account on the 20th day of each month. When the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday, the checks are deposited prior to that date.

  • Q. Why does Century 21 hold the security deposit money?

    A. The security deposit is not income. The money is held in a non-interest bearing trust account and is released after the move-out and inspection have been completed. The security deposit is not the last month's rent.

  • Q. Why is there a repair fund?

    A. Century 21 needs money in your account to take care of emergencies when we may not have rental income.

  • Q. How do you advertise?

    A. Our office has a professional website, coupled with craigslist.com, ahrn.com, westsiderentals.com, to name a few. Additionally our office runs a daily generic ad in the Antelope Valley Press. We also post a rental sign in the front yard of the home. Current rental lists can also be picked up by our clientele at the office any time of the day or night. Lastly, we have a 12'x4' banner that is permanently posted on our balcony as an invitation to rental clientele, to pick up a free list. Permanent fascia signs stay up all over the Antelope Valley year round.

  • Q. Who is my first contact at Century 21?

    A. The maintenance inspector will inspect the home when it becomes vacant. The inspector will then call the owner to give the owner a current status report on the condition, and will advise the owner of any necessary maintenance and turnover work needed to rent the home.

  • Q. Why do I pay the water bill?

    A. 1. To protect your landscaping.
    2. Tenants know that most owners will pay for water; therefore, they will only look at homes where water is paid.
    3. The water company will ultimately hold the owner liable for any bills/re-connection fees
    4. By owner paying water, the bill becomes a tax deduction.
    5. We will not perform a full-management service unless the owner pays for water.
    6. 70 % of water is used for landscaping.
    7. Make sure the water company has your forwarding address too.

  • Q. How are maintenance requests handled?

    A. Since we are here to protect your investment, you ultimately "call the shots." However, we have developed certain guidelines to alleviate your stress and to aid in expedient service for your tenant.

    Any legitimate - non-cosmetic - requests that will cost less than $100; we will contract the work without contacting the owner. Any questionable or - cosmetic items - will be handled with the owner's prior approval. If we find that a repair is due to tenant negligence, our office will automatically bill the tenant.

    If we have a health or safety situation, the $100 authorization rule does not apply. We will attempt to contact the owner; if the owner is unattainable, the work must be handled immediately to avoid any Health Department violations.

  • Q. Why should I leave my electricity on?

    A. 1. It is extremely helpful when showing your property to prospective tenants during times of the day that provide little sunlight, and in rooms with little or no sunlight such as bathrooms.
    2. It is necessary to have the electricity on when cleaning crews/vendors perform work to prepare your property for a new tenant.
    3. Your automatic sprinklers will not function without electricity.
    4. For these reasons, please leave your electricity on and contact Southern California Edison with your forwarding address, so that you will receive your billings, and be sure to call our office with your new phone number and address for your files.

  • Q. Why should I pay for gardener?

    A. 1. You know it's being maintained.
    2. Protects your investment/keeps up neighborhood property value.
    3. City code enforcement requires lawns/shrubs/bushes are maintained.
    4. Some tenant's don't have the knowledge to keep up the yard (i.e. knowing the difference between grass that has a fungus or if it's dead).
    5. Tenant's may not have equipment to maintain the landscaping.