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Frequently Asked Questionss

Learn more about Twin Cities Leasing by reading our Frequently Asked Questions

1When is the best time of year to start renting?
Good question! Spring and summer are generally the best times to list your property for rent. The reason for this is driven by tenant demand, which usually peaks every year around May. Typically some of the best tenants out there are those that plan ahead. We’ve found those tenants usually have better credit scores and are more organized, and we see them in the Spring and Summer mainly.
2Can I try to sell and rent my property at the same time?
Of course! What you’ll find when trying to lease or sell your property are listing agreements, which range from Exclusive right, Exclusive agency, or Open/Non-Exclusive. Open/non exclusive listings are generally a property owners best option, as it provides them with just that, more options. Open/Non-Exclusive Listing Agreements provide the most flexibility and greatest overall versatility for a property owner. One of the many reasons we’ve been so successful at Twin Cities Leasing is due to our high level of service, which is why we only use Open/Non-Exclusive Listing and Management Agreements. If you’re not happy with the level of service we’re providing, than you should be able to go elsewhere. Note* There are no cancellation fees in any of our agreements.
3What happens if I find my own tenant?
You found a tenant before we did? How can this be?! Sometimes property owners take on the task of finding their own tenant, or maybe they know someone personally. Either way, we can help facilitate the entire process for .5 months rent! We help you through the process from getting the background check done to signing the lease. If you’d like we can also do the move and move in inspection too.
4What is a move in orientation?
A move in orientation consists of myself or a representative helping the tenants get the utilities transferred over into their name/s. We also go over the basic terms in the lease. i.e. When rent is due, how to setup direct payment for the first of the month, etc.
5What is a move in/out inspection?
A move in/out inspection is an overall condition record for your property. We record video of the interior and exterior of the property, which consists of your Rental Rep going running appliances, opening drawers, flushing toilets, etc. This process is critical for property owners and tenants, as it gives us a baseline of what the property looks like and overall condition at move in/out. We’ve found that 1080p video with 60FPS (basically, 60 photos per second) creates the most transparency for both residents and owners, which is extremely important come deposition time. At the start of the lease we do a move in inspection. At the end of the lease, we come back out and do the move out inspection. Any differences in the overall condition are presented to the Owner. If there is a disagreement on an issue that may have presented itself during the Residents residency, then we go to the video/photos to compare.
6What do I do with the utility bills?

As a landlord you’ll need to transfer the utility bills into Landlord accounts with companies like Center Point and Xcel. That way the city won’t shut the gas or electrical off once the residents move out, which they WILL do, even in the middle of winter! Note* We recommend calling and setting this up once we list the property.

Your water and sewer utilities are usually through the city. You have a couple options here, but it all depends on what the city is willing to do. Some cities will allow you to switch the bill name into the tenants, while most others mandate the bill stay in the property owner’s name. We recommend a hybrid version of this. Keep the bill in your name and request a copy of the bill to be sent to us, the property managers, and another copy sent to the tenants. The tenants will be assessed the water and sewer bill for each month/quarter in hindsight, but you’ll be responsible for paying it each month/quarter. Note* If the water and sewer bill doesn’t get paid, the city can put a lien on your property through taxes, which is why we recommend this hybrid version.

7What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

We have fixed rates for Resident Placement and Property Management. Our TCL Property Management is a fixed rate of $99/month - With NO SETUP FEE'S. TCL Resident Placement is a fixed rate starting at 1 months rent for signed leases that are 1-17 months long or less, 1.5 months rent for signed leases that are 18 to 35 months, and 2 months rent for signed leases that are 36 months or longer. (i.e. We find qualified residents that you the owner approve) With NO SET UP FEE'S.

8What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

One of our Rental Reps would meet the owner at the rental property for a FREE Rental Analysis and Home Evaluation. They will to talk to you about what it would take to get your home rented in a timely manner with qualified residents. They can answer any questions you may have and provide additional information/feedback. Or a if you are a busy owner, they will talk you through the process over coffee, or a phone call.

9What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

We have over 20+ years of residential single family home property management experience, which includes Single Family Homes, Townhouses, Condos, Fourplexes, Triplex's, Duplex's or Studio Apartments. We have over 5 years of experience in managing apartment buildings in the past too!

10How did you get started doing this type of work?

Most of our team use to work for the competitors such as Renters Warehouse, which is the largest residential property management company in Minnesota. We took what we all learned from working at those companies and focused on what we new would make us successful - Hand on service and excelling at customer service.

11What types of customers have you worked with?

You name it and we've more than likely worked with them! From the first time investor who is getting relocated for work to full on investment groups (REIT's). We enjoy working with "Mom and Pop" landlords/owners as our attention to detail is more beneficial for them.

12Describe a recent project you are fond of. How was the process?

We recently helped a local investor (4 single family homes) switch their properties from a large management company located here in Minnesota to us, TCL. The landlords were having major issues with maintenance and communication from their previous Property Management company. We explained them about our simple single point of contact communication business model, mixed with our in house maintenance team and they came aboard instantly!
These local investors went from worrying daily whether another new random/unjustifiable maintenance expense would show up on their monthly statement, to stress free. They also enjoy the fact they can reach their Personal Rental Rep within 24 hours or less with a response to any of their questions. They're now personally refer us to their friends, and family, while all of us here at TCL are just happy we can help.

13What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

The heart of any good property management company is Three things: 1.) their maintenance department 2.) how well they communicate. 3.) their online reviews i.e. Ask them if they have in house maintenance or if they use 3rd party vendors? Stay away from 3rd party vendor Property Management companies. Either the lack of oversight on 3rd party vendors or the high mark up percentages will quickly turn you to coordinating it yourself, which is the opposite of what a Property Management company should be doing to their owners.
As for communication see how they communicate. How fast do they respond to you? Are they able to answer all your questions? Do they sound professional and knowledgeable? Do they hound you to get you signed up and then you never hear from them, until they need something from you? Or are they willing to help you understand the rental world and work with you?
You should always look at companies reviews. WHY? It will not only show landlords views, interactions with the property management company but your upcoming Residents views and interactions, on how they were treated while under management.

14What questions should customers think through before talking with the Twin Cities Leasing Rental Reps, about your home?

Instead of selling, why not rent?

15What if I am currently with another Property Management Company?

We can help you! If you are currently with another property management company and wish you got more from them, or you are unhappy. We can help with our Stress Free Management Takeover. We give you a step by step guide to make this process not only easy for you the landlord but for your residents, too! You can switch to TCL at any time. Call us today to talk pricing. - Price is determined by how many properties you have.

16I manage my homes myself, but I need help running background checks and lease signing.

We can help you! We will run a full background check covering: crime, credit, job verification, and if they ever been evicted. We will send the full report to you, the landlord. YOU DECIDE WHO WILL BE LIVING IN THE HOME. As a landlord of TCL you accept or decline the Residents background check. We, TCL, will also provide you a full lease and facilitate the lease signing.

  • Stacy M.
    Easy to work with! Excellent communication, flawless process!
    Stacy M.
  • Pam G.
    We actually first started working with Jim on our first leasing contract back in 2017 based on a personal reference. We could not be more pleased. When Jim moved to Twin Cities Leasing from Renters Warehouse, we moved with him. We can not say enough about how easy going and straightforward we find Jim. He is responsive, professional and hard working. He provides great input / suggestions / tips and polishes off the process with great pictures and timely showings. He kept us well informed of what to expect and where we were in the process. We will continue to run all of our leases and property management through Twin Cities Leasing - now and in the future.
    Pam G.
  • Matthew
    I have had nothing but great experiences with James and Twin Cities Leasing. What sets them apart is their professionalism, real estate knowledge, problem solving abilities, attention to detail and most importantly their white glove customer service. I highly recommend TCL!
    Matthew
  • Caroline
    Twin Cities provides phenomenal property management services! I have more than pleased with their customer service as well as there prompt and personal communication. I would recommend them to anyone!
    Caroline
  • Andy B.
    James Humphrey is super attentive, professional and easy to work with. He played a crucial role/service in my ability to become a comfortable, confident and effective landlord.
    Andy B.
  • Abby L.
    It was such a relief to receive such prompt and professional attention. Thank you, James, for helping us find our new home!
    Abby L.

Contact Us

We want to hear from you!

612-567-1951

[email protected]