Tenant Guarantee
Legacy Leasing Services, Inc. takes pride in knowing that we have a highly effective and proven tenant screening program. Before a tenant is placed in your home, they will have passed through our step by step process which begins with a national criminal background and credit check on every person over 18 years old in the household. Next, we will perform an eviction search to ensure they have not been evicted in the preceding 7 years. Other points to our evaluation include essuring their names are NOT on federal lists of terrorists, sexual predators and most wanted. Finally, we will verify all of the information they have provided including employment, income and former landlord references. This is a time consuming process, but we believe selecting qualified tenants in the beginning of the relationship will save even more time and money in the future.
In fact, our tenant screening process is so thorough, we guarantee our tenants! If the tenants move out and break the lease agreement during the first 6 months of tenancy, we will waive our normal leasing fee to re-rent your home.
Hassle Free Maintenance
Rental homes must be properly maintained in order to preserve the value of the property and maintain a positive relationship with the residents. Florida also has laws that require landlords to comply with certain basic maintenance and repair items. Also see the section below titled 'Our Management Standards' to learn more.
The Property Managers at Legacy Leasing Services will not order (non-emergency) repairs estimated to cost more than $200 to your property without getting your approval first.
Our office considers the following situations an Emergency:
- Window locks or door locks that are not functioning properly
- Broken Glass
- Uncontrollable Water Leak
- Electrical Sparking
Our owners benefit from competitive rates from our trusted vendors as well as a guarantee of work in most instances.
We will not affect repairs to your property in excess of $200.00, without first obtaining your approval. NOTE: This excludes repairs deemed by manager as emergency repairs or repairs that are required to be effected to bring your property into compliance by law, governmental building, zoning, safety and municipal codes, or the restrictive and protective covenants of your homeowners association or repairs that in managers sole judgment are necessary for the safety of the tenants or your property. Manager shall proceed with these repairs and bring property into compliance, subject to funds being available in property owner’s account.
We will affect items necessary to improve the property's show-ability to prospective renters. This means quicker lease turn-over’s and less vacancy for you. Examples would include: lawn service, carpet cleaning, maid service, pool service, utilities and painting when necessary. In the event that any of these repairs were due to the former rental residents tenancy, you can expect that we will spend all of their security deposit first (not your money) to put your property back into its pre-rented condition.
Property Managers will institute minor maintenance & repair items ($200.00 or less) in the following circumstances:
- as requested by rental applicants to secure a lease to qualified residents for your rental property
- as deemed by us to be necessary for the preservation of your property and/or the continuation of the residents tenancy
- Our Property Managers will gather 3 estimates for any repair item(s) estimated to cost of $1000.
- To avoid the possibility of major liability to you we also change the locks between each tenancy.
- We will gladly comply with third party service contracts or maintenance warranties if the property owner provides them. Otherwise, the property manager shall assume that none exist.
- We will only use repairmen, vendors and tradesmen that are properly licensed and insured to handle the type of work being performed on your property.
- You will receive copies of the original invoices of all repairmen, vendors and tradesmen employed to affect repairs on your property. These will be available to you at the end of each month.
Hands Free Management
The following information lists of some of the benefits and services that Legacy Leasing Services, Inc. provides to our valued clients. You can expect us to automatically implement the management services outlined below:
Our Management Services
- We will place our attractive yard sign on your property, (if allowed) prior to any known vacancy, or immediately if you have just listed your rental home with us.
- We will advertise your vacant property on the World Wide Web within our company website at www.LegacyLeases.com
- Our Florida Real Estate licensed property managers will be available to show your property 7 days a week to all prospective renters until your rental home is leased.
- All rental applicants will undergo our thorough screening process which includes a credit report on each adult applicant, a past eviction search of the public records to ensure that the applicant has not been evicted in the preceding 7 years, a verification of applicant's former landlord's references, verification of the applicant's employment and/or income, and a NATIONAL "Criminal Background Check".
- We will lease your property at the asking amount of rent, (as outlined in your management agreement with us) or higher. You can expect that we will not lease your property at a lower amount, without first obtaining your permission.
- Once the rental applicant is approved, we will conduct a "Move-In Inspection which includes a video and a detailed inspection report of the property to document the condition of the property before the tenants move in.
- Next, we will execute the lease agreement prepared by our attorney. We will give the residents possession of the home after we have trained them on how to properly care for the home as outlined in the lease agreement and our Tenant Handbook.
- You will be notified by our company that your property has been leased. A copy of the lease agreement is available upon request.
Lease Renewals
- We will attempt to renew the current residents at least 60 days prior to the anniversary date of their lease agreement, if they have proven to be abiding tenants.
- We will renew the tenants lease for another year at the same or at a slightly higher amount of rent, if possible. We will not renew the lease at a lower amount, without your permission.
- If the tenants renew, our property manager will conduct an inspection and make any security deposit claims necessary before signing a renewal agreement.
- If the tenants are not renewing, we will place our sign on the property and prepare the property ads to be exposed in our various advertising and marketing sources which includes over 16 different real estate websites and various print media.
- We will automatically renew the current residents’ lease agreement or re-rent your property to new tenants, unless we have written instructions from you to terminate the agreement.
Property Inspections
- Your property gets the “special treatment” from our property managers. First, we will inspect the interior and exterior of the property to determine that it meets the move in standards.
- The interior and exterior will be photographed and video taped.
- When the property is vacant, we inspect it on a weekly basis.
- When the property is rented, we inspect the interior and exterior many times.
- During the Move In Inspection, with the new tenants.
- Within 30 days of a new lease, we will contact the residents to verbally inquire about the condition of the property.
- Within 90 days after the tenants move in, we will conduct an interior review which includes updated color photos and a detailed property condition report.
- We will schedule more interior reviews as we see fit during the course of the lease.
- During the 9th month of the resident’s lease, we will perform another interior review and update our photos and condition of the property.
- At this time, we will discuss their intent to renew the lease for another year. If they are not planning of renewing, we will begin to prepare the property for a new tenant.
- Whether the tenants are renewing or moving out, we always conduct a final property review and make a security deposit claim when necessary.
- If the tenants are moving, we will conduct a “Move Out Inspection” which includes a video and a detailed inspection report of the property to document the condition of the property when the tenants move out. This is done to ensure that the residents returned the home back to us in the same condition as when they first rented it. If damage is found, we impose a claim on the tenant’s security deposit as required by the Florida Landlord and Tenant Laws, (F.S. 83). If no damage is found, then we promptly return the security deposit to the former residents.
- According to our attorney prepared leases, we reserve the right to inspect the exterior and interior of the property anytime we feel it is necessary.
Rent Collection & Owner Proceeds
At Legacy Leasing Services, we do not tolerate the delinquent payment of rents. We are careful to explain this policy to new residents in order to avoid any misunderstandings that might arise later. You can expect that we will make every effort to collect rents as outlined below:
- All rents are due on the 1st of each month and late on the 5th of each month. We attempt to reach the tenants by telephone on the 4th (if a weekday) to remind them of the late payment policy.
- All residents who have not paid by the 10th (if a weekday) of each month will receive our first notice to remind them, a Three Day Notice which is the first step necessary to file an eviction. This paperwork is served on your behalf at no additional cost to you.
- We will file the eviction paperwork to any remaining residents who have not remitted their rents by the 15th (if a weekday), with your permission.
- Owner funds will be processed and mailed or deposited into your account on or before the 15th (if a weekday) of each month.
- In the event your tenant was late in paying their rent, we will process and disburse owner funds again on or before the 25th (if a weekday) of each month. We do this so you, our valued client, do not have to wait until the next month to receive your money.
Communication
Legacy Leasing Services believes that communication is an essential element in a successful property management business. . We go to great lengths to be accessible to our residents and property owners. As our valued client, you can expect us to respond to your phone calls or emails on the same day. We also strive to keep you informed by giving you unlimited access to your monthly statements and invoices. We keep current and accurate records of your property including videos, photos and condition reports and send this information to you to keep you abreast on the most current information. The leasing team at Legacy Leasing Services Inc. is comprised of Florida licensed property managers that are specifically trained in the Florida Landlord and Tenant Law. They are available to answer your questions and advise you on solutions to your management needs.
Being a Landlord doesn’t have to be a hassle. Let the Legacy Team work for you…
Management Standards
The following categories contain minimum property standards for properties managed by LEGACY LEASING SERVICES INC. Maintaining property standards will enhance and protect our owners, tenants, and the reputation of Legacy Leasing Services. These Quality Assurance Standards must be followed at all times.
Exterior Conditions
- Structural - Property is to be structurally sound.
- Roofs and Gutters - Roofs must be free of leaks and in good repair. Gutters are to be clean and free flowing.
- Windows and Locks - All window glass must not be broken or cracked. All windows and window locks must be operational.
- Doors and Locks - All exterior doors are to be in sound condition and weather tight. All locks are to be re-keyed between occupancies and to be operational at all times.
- Paint - Siding and trim paint is to remain free of peeling. Any peeling paint on homes built prior to 1978 should be addressed for the possibility of Lead Based Paint immediately.
- Lighting - Exterior lighting is to be provided on perimeter areas where hazards may exist. All burned out bulbs are to be replaced immediately.
- Landscaping, Trees, Miscellaneous Appearance - Landscaping is to be well maintained and at all times provide a neat appearance. Mowing and watering of lawns, trimming shrubs and flowers, and cutting back of trees as may be required from time to time. All personal property, trash receptacles, and disabled cars are to remain out of sight. All debris is to be removed no less than weekly.
Interior Conditions
- Heating/Cooling System - All properties are to be equipped with an adequate heating and cooling system meeting local building codes and be in good repair at all times. Defects are to be repaired immediately. A/C Filters should be changed on a monthly basis.
- Electrical System - All electrical is to remain in good repair and meet local building codes. Any exposed wiring or defective outlets, switches, or fixtures should immediately be repaired.
- Plumbing System - All properties are to be supplied with hot and cold running water. Plumbing fixtures are to remain free of leaks and be operational, and water heaters should be set to meet local building codes and be equipped with a pressure relief valve.
- Appliances - All appliances left remaining on the premises are to be maintained in good working order. Defective appliances are to be repaired/ replaced immediately.
- Smoke detector(s) - Properties are to be equipped with at least 1 approved and operational smoke detector on each living area. Any defects in equipment, including poor batteries, should be repaired/ replaced immediately.
- Flooring - All flooring materials are to be clean and maintained in food condition at all times. Flooring, including carpet, vinyl, and wood is to remain free of rips, tears and gouges.
- General - Premises are to be clean and free of debris at all times. Property is to be turned over to incoming residents with the highest standard of cleanliness at all times.
The pursuit of 100% compliance with these standards should be continued at all times. Compliance with the above standards will help to insure that our clients and competitors see LEGACY LEASING SERVICES and Quality as being synonymous. Further clarification of these standards may be obtained through the Property Manager.
