Frequently Asked Questions

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

  A: 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 collection of rents and serve the proper notices upon failure to pay. 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 at discounted rates. 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, the discounts you’ll receive on advertising, and the company rate we get on repairs, you’ll often make more money than if you managed the property yourself!

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

  A: 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.

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

  A: Yes, we will provide you a monthly report of rent and other income received, and maintenance, repairs, and other expenses incurred. You will have access to all statements through your owner portal at anytime, 24/7 . If you have questions regarding your statement, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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

  A: No, Currently we are not obligated to participate in Housing Voucher Programs. We are careful to follow all Fair Housing Rules. Under the Housing Act, there is no provision requiring a landlord to accept Section 8 vouchers. However, some state and local Fair Housing laws, do prohibit discrimination based on source of income.

• Q: Are you licensed?

  A: Yes. The act of property management (leasing and renting) are considered real estate activities under existing Texas real estate licensing laws. If a property manager is going to lease (or list for lease) real estate, or negotiate or attempt to negotiate for the lease of real estate, or aid in locating real estate for lease, control the acceptance or deposit of rent from a resident of a single family residential property unit, or if he or she holds herself out as engaging in any of those activities, he or she will need a broker's license. A salesperson working under a broker may engage in such activities.

• Q: Can you put the money directly into my account?

  A: Yes, ACH deposits are used to disperse owner proceeds each month to the account of your choice.

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

  A: As your hired professional representative, we approve and sign all leases based on a minimum Tenant Selection Criteria. Leases are drafted in the owners name and signed by the property manager via limited Power of Attorney granted within the management agreement. You will always have access to all documents as needed.

• Q: Do you sell real estate too?

  A: Yes, Sienna Properties is a full service real estate brokerage. We handle all aspects of buying, selling, leasing, and management of real estate in the Central Texas area.

• Q: How and when do I get my checks?

  A: Proceeds are dispersed between the 10th and 15th of each month. All proceeds are deposited via ACH into the account of your choice.

• Q: How is rent collection handled?

  A: All rents are paid online to be as easy as possible. Tenants can schedule automatic payments for the same time each month.

  Rent is due on the 1st of each month and considered late after the 3rd. If we have not received rent by the 5th, we are reaching out to your tenant as a reminder. If we have not received rent by the 10th, we post a 3 day notice to Pay or Quit. This usually remedies the issue.

• Q: How long of a lease do you sign?

  A: Most leases are between 12 and 24 months. Anything less is not typically beneficial to the owner. Anything more does not easily allow us to keep up with market rents or any necessary changes to the lease terms.

• Q: How much security deposit do you charge the tenant?

  A: In our market the typical security deposit is equal to one month's rent. This can vary based on the applicants background screening, income, rental history, etc, and be adjusted as needed to alleviate any extra risk in accepting a less than ideal applicant or one with unique circumstances.

• Q: How soon can you start managing my property?

  A: Today! It usually only takes 1-2 days to get all the necessary paperwork signed and you and the property set up in our software system.

• Q: What type of properties do you manage?

  A: We manage a large range of Single Family Homes, Condos, Townhomes, Small Apartment Buildings, and Light Commercial properties.

• Q: Who holds the tenant security deposit?

  A: Sienna Properties holds all security deposits in a trust account. The security deposit remains the property of the tenant and is only used in the case of damage or unpaid balances are due.

• Q: What can I do on my Owner Portal?

  A: Owners can do the following in their portals:
  

  • View and download report packets that you publish from AppFolio.
  • View completed property or unit inspections you have shared from AppFolio.
  • Securely contribute funds to the property of their choice via eCheck (free) or credit card (online processing fee applied) if your bank accounts are enabled for online payments.
  • View and download documents you have shared from AppFolio.
  • Provide consent to receive a 1099 electronically only, and download a copy of their 1099 you have shared from AppFolio.
  • Enroll in eCheck payments and provide updated banking information if your bank accounts are enabled for online payments.

i. Remember, we’re here to make life easier.

Just call us or email us if you have any other questions about your property or our processes – our team loves to help!