The Swan

The swan is a single family home located in a great part of town. The house has a modern kitchen and bathrooms, is in excellent condition and shows well to a perspective renter. This property will rent in a reasonable time for a reasonable price. As a Residential Property Manager (RPM) this is the perfect new property to take on.

Peter Meer is President/Broker of Meer & Company, Inc., 303-322-1550 which manages 150 single family homes and properties in Denver, Colorado. He holds the Master Property Manager (MPM) designation and the firm holds the Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC) designation from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). To learn more about Peter's Landlord solutions visit Meer and Company website at www.meerandco.com.

The Ugly Duckling--Can I Make It a Swan?

When taking on a new residential rental property management account, you must ask: Is it the ugly duckling or is it the swan? What is the difference and what to do about it is the subject of this series.

Peter Meer is President/Broker of Meer & Company, Inc., 303-322-1550 which manages 150 single family homes and properties in Denver, Colorado. He holds the Master Property Manager (MPM) designation and the firm holds the Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC) designation from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). To learn more about Peter's Landlord solutions visit Meer and Company website at www.meerandco.com.

Finally, Document Condition!

Generally, judges are more inclined to accept the landlord's position if it is written. The absence of written or photographic evidence makes it a case of the landlord's word versus the tenant's word. In that case judges will tend to rule in the tenants favor. In conclusion, always document the condition of the property going in and coming out!

Peter Meer is President/Broker of Meer & Company, Inc., 303-322-1550, which manages 150 single family homes and properties in Denver, Colorado. He holds the Master Property Manager (MPM) designation and the firm holds the Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC) designation from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). To learn more about Peter's Landlord solutions visit Meer and Company website at www.meerandco.com.

Why Do All This?

Digital equipment to photograph the unit as you go through this process is also an excellent idea. A picture may be worth a thousand words!

One has to ask the question - why do all this?? Colorado law provides for treble damages for the tenant if a landlord/manager wrongfully withholds security deposit funds.

Peter Meer is President/Broker of Meer & Company, Inc., 303-322-1550 which manages 150 single family homes and properties in Denver, Colorado. He holds the Master Property Manager (MPM) designation and the firm holds the Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC) designation from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). To learn more about Peter's Landlord solutions visit Meer and Company website at www.meerandco.com.

Pay Attention To Detail

When you are doing the property condition report prior to new tenant move in it is important to pay attention to details. Besides the condition of the walls and floor covering; list doors, windows, window coverings, screens, electrical fixtures and sockets. In the kitchen you must add refrigerator, stove, garbage disposal, dishwasher, cabinets and counters. Special notice should be made of any broken parts in the refrigerator or stove (i.e., oven racks, crisper and butter doors). These items are difficult and expensive to replace. In a three bedroom house, this process can take an hour. The yellow copy of the report is given to the tenants. Even with careful attention to details, it is still possible to overlook things. I allow tenants up to two weeks after move in to add to the list.


Peter Meer is President/Broker of Meer & Company, Inc., 303-322-1550 which manages 150 single family homes and properties in Denver, Colorado. He holds the Master Property Manager (MPM) designation and the firm holds the Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC) designation from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). To learn more about Peter's Landlord solutions visit Meer and Company website at www.meerandco.com.

Write Actual Condition

When doing the property condition report prior to new tenant move in it is critical to clearly write the actual condition. You may use categories such as "excellent, good, fair or poor." In the case of new paint or carpet you should indicate that it is new. On the other hand, if the paint or carpet is poor, write that on the report.

Peter Meer is President/Broker of Meer & Company, Inc., 303-322-1550, which manages 150 single family homes and properties in Denver, Colorado. He holds the Master Property Manager (MPM) designation and the firm holds the Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC) designation from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). To learn more about Peter's Landlord solutions visit Meer and Company website at www.meerandco.com

Property Condition Report

This report is a critical element in the rental process. The report itself may be hand written or digitally photographed. The written has a check list for each room in the unit. At the top of each page (mine is two pages on NCR paper) it indicates check-in and check-out condition as well as a section for comments.

Peter Meer is President/Broker of Meer & Company, Inc., 303-322-1550, which manages 150 single family homes and properties in Denver, Colorado. He holds the Master Property Manager (MPM) designation and the firm holds the Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC) designation from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). To learn more about Peter's Landlord solutions visit Meer and Company website at www.meerandco.com.