Owner FAQs

Answers to your frequently asked questions

• Why should I use a professional to manage my home?

  While the reasons our clients choose professional management vary, here are some of the key reasons many people elect professional management over self-management:

  • We handle maintenance and emergency repairs, allowing you to sleep at night.
  • We enforce the lease agreement, rent collection, and serve the proper notices for behavioral issues or failure to pay rent.
  • We understand and apply the correct federal, state, and local laws, keeping you and your investment out of trouble.
  • We know the local market, have an extensive network of contacts, and have advertising resources available to us. This allows us to effectively market your vacant home to prospective residents to get it filled.
  • After you add up the increased rent we can often command and the company rates we get on repairs, you'll often make more money than if you managed the property yourself!

• Can I choose to disallow pets, smokers, large families, etc.?

  We comply fully with the Fair Housing Act. This means that you can not choose to disallow anyone that is a member of a protected class under the act. You can choose to disallow pets and not permit smoking in your home, but you cannot deny a service animal. If you have additional questions on the specifics of the Fair Housing Act, please see our fair housing page.

• Do you provide me with a report of activity on my property?

  Yes, we will provide you a monthly report of rent and other income received, and maintenance, repairs, and other expenses incurred. This will be provided once per month. If you have questions regarding your statement, please do not hesitate to contact us.

• Do you only manage property in Sequim?

  Nope! We manage property between Gardiner and Port Angeles; including Diamond Point, Blyn, Sequim, Carlsborg, Agnew, Port Angeles East, and Port Angeles.

• How long will my property be vacant?

  There is no way to predict how long a property will remain on the market, even in the best market conditions. However, Action Property Management works diligently to rent your property as quickly as possible. The most important thing to remember is that the objective is to have a quality tenant. Other property management companies can rent properties quickly if they do not have high standards for qualifying good tenants. However, bad tenants will only create more expense and other unwanted vacancy; therefore, waiting for the right tenant is worth the additional time it can take to rent your property.

• Should I allow pets?

  Statistics show that more than half of all tenants have pets. Excluding pets from your property will substantially reduce the available number of tenants - which can prolong vacancy time! As such, Action Property Management's policy is to allow pets at all properties unless specific written instructions to the contrary are provided. You can opt to allow no pets at all, dogs only, cats only, or both. We recommend that when your property is on the market, that pets are "negotiable". This encourages prospective tenants to disclose any pets, and, avoids eliminating an excellent tenant that does care for their pet, has excellent tenant history, and owns a pet that is suitable to your property. We charge all tenants with pets an additional $500 security deposit and pet rent from $25-$50 per month. Action Property Management qualifies ALL pets, service and support animals to validate service and support animal status, vaccination records and other important details for all prospective tenants pets and animals. Learn more at PetScreening.com. Special note: "Service animals" and "support animals" for disabled people are NOT considered pets by Federal law, and Landlords cannot discriminate against people with a service or support animal. Additionally, Fair Housing law does NOT allow property managers to collect additional deposits of any kind for service or support animals.

• Am I required to make my property available to Section 8?

  Yes. In Washington State it is illegal to discriminate against tenants or prospective tenants based on their source of verifiable, legal income. That includes Section 8, social security, child support, or any other governmental or non-profit subsidy.

• Are you licensed?

  Yes, In Washington State property managers and property management companies are required to be licensed just like a real estate firm.

• Can I reach you after hours?

  For a true life threatening issue, yes. But if it’s not an emergency please call, email or text during normal business hours, Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. We’re also available on weekends or after hours by appointment.

• Can you put the money directly into my account?

  Yes. We direct deposit your rental income into your account each month. We can also print and mail you a check if you prefer.

• Do I get to see the lease or sign it?

  We are happy to share a copy of the lease with you at any time, however, you as the property owner do not sign it. We do that on your behalf as your agent.

• Do you sell real estate too?

  No. Property management is our sole focus and passion!

• How and when do I get my checks?

  We direct deposit your rental income into your account no later than the 10th of each month.

• How is rent collection handled?

  Most of our tenants pay rent by direct debit, which is an automated process that takes no effort on their part. Some of our tenants prefer to pay by paper check, money order, or cashiers check, which they can drop off or mail to our office. Rent is due on the 1st of each month and we provide a 5 day grace period.

• How long of a lease do you sign?

  For residential tenants we typically sign 12 month leases. In Washington State residential leases longer than 12 months are required to be notarised. There is more risk to signing a lease longer than 12 months so we don’t recommend it. For commercial tenants we typically sign leases for between 1 to 5 years.

• How much security deposit do you charge the tenant?

  We charge a security deposit at least equal to the rental price, in some cases it may be more. For tenants with pets we charge an additional $500 deposit per pet, and $25 per month in pet rent.

• How soon can you start managing my property?

  If your property meets our requirements we can get you up and running in as little as 1 day.

• What type of properties do you manage?

  We have high standards for the properties we manage. It must be immaculately clean and all systems in good working order. Check out our rent-ready and cleaning checklist to learn more about our requirements. We manage single family homes, duplexes, fourplexes, condos, townhomes, apartments, and commercial properties.