FAQs for Renters and Landlords

We feel it’s important that if you choose us, you choose peace of mind. During the first 60 days, if you’re not satisfied with our property management services, you can walk away and we’ll refund 100% of any fees you paid us. We are the only property manager in Orange County that has a money-back guarantee, and we always have your best interest in mind.

We’re not the most expensive nor cheapest—we’re simply the best value. Our simple, all-inclusive pricing includes almost everything for general management. We chose to eliminate all hidden fees that most Orange County management companies charge.

For example, excessive fees to create a repair request, marking up invoices, key copies, smoke alarm batteries, company credit card use, property showings, and many other charges that are not necessarily disclosed prior to signing a contract.

Base management services as a percentage of gross rent:

• 5% for commercial
• 6% for five or more doors
• 5% for two to four doors
• 7% for single-family properties

Annual fees:

• $200 inspection fee ninety days after tenant move-in and every nine months thereafter per CA law
• $250 for lease or month-to-month renewal

Periodic fees:

• When vacant, the tenant placement fee is 35% of one month’s rent
• Repair coordination fee of 5% of project repairs over $5,000, capped at $5,000

Call around and ask our competition for a list of all possible fees that you may be charged throughout the year, and you’ll see why we’re the best. Remember, the most expensive mistake you can make is to hire a cheap property manager.

Learn more on our Forms page.

We do your homework for you. Every year, our owner visits over 200 property management websites to check out their pricing, services, features, benefits, photo quality, Yelp and Google reviews, and other aspects of their operation. Then, he calls each owner for a friendly chat to discuss the marketplace.

Taking weeks to do this work is the only way we can confidently say we are truly providing you the most services at the best value. Based on our annual research process, we know that Genuine Property Management is by far the most innovative and value-driven property management company in Orange County.

We do everything that you need on a day-to-day rental management basis, so you’re covered administratively, educationally, financially, and legally. Plus, we use the best-rated property management software, called AppFolio, providing you complete transparency with all its features and benefits unlocked (costing about $4,500 a month alone).

Nope. There are never any upfront document preparation, marketing, on-boarding costs, or lease placement fees. Our Orange County property management company only gets paid after rent collection, aligning our interests.

We proudly manage properties across Orange County, including Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, and surrounding cities.

We manage single-family homes, multi-family properties, condominiums, and commercial buildings.

On average, it takes 15 to 21 days to rent out a residential or commercial property. This depends on pricing, condition, and current market demand.

Call us at (949) 209-9494 or contact us online to reach our team directly.

We attract tenants by advertising across dozens of sites with professional photos, virtual tours, and more. When it comes time to screen applicants, we do a thorough background check. We start by checking two months’ bank statements for negative balances, then we look at NSFs and current payroll auto-deposits. We also run complete credit, eviction, and criminal reports.

To meet our criteria, the applicant must have a credit score of at least 650 and an income equal to at least three times one month’s rent. We also confirm the landlord’s reference with extra verification steps by request.

Plus, rental history must show occupancy of 2 years minimum and a lease start date at least 15 days from approval. We do this all to help ensure we place only qualified residents who’ll care for your Southern California property and can pay rent on time.

Yes. A good Orange County property manager is a bit like a real estate therapist. We practice calm and clear communications, common sense, and fairness at all times, which helps resolve most tenant challenges. However, if things escalate, our experienced legal team can handle matters in a cost-effective and timely manner.

You bet! You can find all about our Landlord Protection plans here.

As a preview, we can provide:

• Guaranteed malicious damage coverage caused by tenant up to $35,000.
• Guaranteed reimbursement of lost rental income when the tenant doesn’t pay rent.
• Guaranteed coverage of eviction costs, legal defense, and sheriff fees.

You can protect yourself for just over a dollar a day!

We also provide an additional $1M in liability protection and can bundle plans, too.

We inspect all investment properties regularly to ensure the lease terms are being complied with and the property is being kept in good condition.

Ninety days after the tenant moves in, we’ll do a property inspection to ensure the new tenants are caring for your property. We look for signs of an unauthorized pet, occupancy count, cleanliness, and general care.

Thereafter, California law requires landlords or the property manager to inspect smoke and CO alarms annually to ensure they are present, that their sensors are operating, and that they are generally less than five years old.

Our detailed report includes dozens of photos noting wear-and-tear or excessive property damage of the inside and outside. We’ll take any corrective action needed to ensure your property is being well cared for at all times.

Our visual inspection report contains photos of all rooms, appliances, bathrooms, and exterior photos for just $200 and is emailed to the property owner. The report is the landlord’s window into the property every year.

Yes. Our Owner Portal provides a lot of current and year-to-date information that owners like to see. We can also provide a variety of financial reporting to meet your needs. Plus, they are conveniently stored in your personal and secure online Owner Portal, along with copies of all invoices and other important documents to review anytime.

If you’re not a computer person, we’re happy to mail your monthly statement at no charge. At year-end, a detailed cash flow statement and a 1099 form are provided. These list all your tax deductions, such as the management fee, maintenance and repairs, advertising, insurance, and legal fees. Your tax preparer will calculate your property depreciation, vehicle travel expenses, and mortgage interest paid.

We charge just 35% of one month’s rent (with no renewal fees) for property inspections, repairs coordination, advertising on 28 websites, pre-qualifying callers before showings, and thorough tenant screening.

We get paid only when we have the rent and deposit checks in hand. There is never a vacancy management fee, and if the tenant moves out before the lease ends, we’ll replace the tenant at no cost to you. We’re also the only management company in Orange County that produces an incredible 360-degree tour of every rental, increasing interest and application rates.

We offer landlord protection plans that cover missed rent, eviction costs, and more. You can learn about these options on our Landlord Protection page.

We work with landlords to set a competitive rental rate using our detailed rent analysis and valuation report, as well as up-to-date Southern California market data. Based on our guidance, you then have the final say on the rent amount.

We only market homes that are safe, functional, and clean. If an owner has a property that they want to improve, we help them create better rentals for future tenants. We ensure all properties are in “hotel room ready” condition and that all mechanical components are working as designed. If you take care of the property, the property (and tenants) will take care of you.

With years of experience, proven systems, and honest communication, we offer complete transparency and full trust. Landlords count on us to manage their real estate investments with care. We also use technology like online payment systems to make regular tasks like rent collection easier and more efficient for all involved.

If repairs are needed, tenants can either call our 24/7 customer service number for our repair center or submit requests from their tenant portal. The online portal is sufficient for non-urgent requests, but any emergency maintenance should be addressed via the repair center line.

For single item repairs under $500, we’ll take care of it without further discussion. For any single item repairs over $500 (such as a new appliance, water heater, garage motor, etc.), we’ll contact you with the details and approval.

For all safety or habitability matters, such as a gas or water leak, broken water heater, or broken refrigerator motor, that cannot wait, we’ll take action fast to correct the issue and let you know how it was resolved. We do not charge for creating work orders nor markup invoices for general repair issues.

Yes. However, tenant screening is required for animals, as well. For a typical pet, you’ll need to pay an additional fee for a third-party verification process. Assistance animals are screened for free to ensure that we’re complying with all state and federal laws.

We have a rent reminder system and a late rent policy in place to keep things fair and reasonable for both landlords and tenants.

It’s easy for the rent due date to sneak up on tenants, so our property management system sends email reminders to all residents to pay rent two days before the 1st of each month. We’ll also call, text, and email tenants on the 5th to inquire about the payment, and we’ll share the response with the property owner.

We understand that the unexpected can happen, so we are always friendly and courteous to establish a good relationship based on trust and help.

When parts for an air conditioner, heater, or refrigerator are backordered, we’ll provide an interim solution for your rental unit. We have a space full of newer portable A/C units, heaters, and refrigerators of various sizes to lend, supporting residents and maintaining expectations of care and habitability.

Yes. From painters and plumbers to landscapers and locksmiths, we have over seventy dependable service providers that take good care of us. These are honest, reliable, insured small companies that warranty all their work.

We respond to emergencies 24/7. Tenants can call our repair center any time to report issues that impact health or safety.

Security deposits are held in a trust account and returned based on property condition, minus any applicable deductions outlined in your lease.

We understand that plans change. If you need to break your lease, contact us to discuss your options and responsibilities under California rental laws. Likewise, if a family member intends to move in, they will need to go through the screening and application process before they can be placed on the lease.

Call our 24/7 emergency line listed in your Tenant Portal. We’ll make sure urgent repairs are handled quickly.

Our team is always happy to help. Visit our Owner FAQs or Renter FAQs pages for more details, or contact us directly to talk with a Genuine Property Management expert today.