According to OurQuadCities.com, Iowa ranks eighth among the top 10 states with the most significant rent increases in 2023. In the Hawkeye State, rents are up 2.6% from 2022 and, as of 2023, had a median rent of $951.
With rents rising, your income as a Council Bluffs, IA, landlord can also increase. Conversely, you could face a higher risk of eviction, as more tenants may become rent-burdened.
Evictions are costly and time-consuming, so you need to learn more about landlord rescue strategies as early as now. Our team at PMI of the Midlands has shared property management tips to help you overcome landlord challenges, so read on.
Conduct Comprehensive Tenant Screening
One of the most invaluable rental management strategies to lower your eviction odds is thorough tenant screening. It can help you find reliable, quality tenants who are more likely to:
- Pay rent on time
- Respect your property like it's theirs
- Be considerate of the neighbors
- Have a good moral character
To help you find such renters, effective tenant screening must look beyond a person's credit score. It must also factor in their income, employment status, and rental or eviction history. Moreover, it must assess their criminal background to see if they have any prior convictions indicating they could be dangerous to others and your property.
Keep Your Property in Tip-Top Shape
One surefire way you'd need landlord rescue is if you let your property go into disrepair due to a lack of proactive maintenance and prompt repairs. In this case, tenants might file official complaints against you.
According to the City of Council Bluffs, IA, the City conducts 10 to 12 housing inspections daily that are either random or complaints-based. If inspectors say your property has violated housing codes, you'll face hefty fines and repeat inspection fees.
So, before that happens, keep your property in good condition by scheduling regular inspections and maintenance. Likewise, you must address necessary repairs immediately, especially if renters have requested them. Failure to conduct these repairs promptly can lead to other legal tenant complaints.
Work With a Property Manager
A full-service property manager provides tenant management solutions that cover most, if not all, your leasing needs:
- Marketing
- Tenant screening and placement
- Tenant communication and oversight
- Lease enforcement
- Rent collection
- Property inspections, maintenance, and repairs
- Eviction protection
So, with a dedicated property manager, you won't have to worry about needing emergency landlord rescue. But if you're already in this situation, worry not; they can come to your aid and save you from more stress.
PMI of the Midlands to the Landlord Rescue
Conducting comprehensive tenant screening and keeping your property in good condition are two of the most effective ways to prevent and overcome landlord challenges. However, if you don't have time to do all these, consider investing in landlord rescue and tenant management services.
Let PMI of the Midlands, our full-service property management firm, handle all your leasing-related needs in Council Bluffs, IA. We'll help you achieve rental business success using our expertise, state-of-the-art technology, and the knowledge we've gained as a PMI franchisee. PMI is a property management company that has been improving the industry for over two decades.
We invite you to speak with us today and request your free rental analysis!
