12 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Las Vegas Property Manager

Most owners hire the first manager who calls back. You will do better by asking the same twelve questions of two or three companies and comparing the answers. Here they are, with what a good answer sounds like.

1. Are you licensed with a Nevada property management permit? The answer should be yes, with a permit number you can check on the Nevada Real Estate Division site.
2. How many units do you manage, and how many per staff member? A very high ratio means slow responses.
3. What are all of your fees? Ask for the full list in writing: monthly, leasing, renewal, maintenance markup, inspection, setup, and termination.
4. Is the monthly fee charged on rent collected or rent due? You want collected.
5. What are your written tenant screening criteria? They should be able to hand you a document.
6. What is your average days on market for a home like mine? They should know the number.
7. How do you set the rent? Look for actual recent comparables, not a guess.
8. What is my maintenance approval limit? A common answer is a few hundred dollars; anything above gets your sign-off.
9. Do you use your own maintenance company? Not a problem by itself, but ask how their pricing compares to outside vendors.
10. How often do you inspect, and do I get photos? At least once a year during the lease, plus move-in and move-out.
11. How do you handle HOA violations? Important in most Las Vegas neighborhoods.
12. How do I cancel, and what does it cost? Look for a short notice period and no large penalty.

Red flags

• Vague or changing answers on fees.
• No written screening criteria.
• Pressure to sign today.
• No permit number, or a permit that does not match the company name.

Once you have the answers side by side, the right choice is usually obvious.