Owner Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to your common questions.

• Do you charge the tenant a security deposit? What about a pet fee?

  Yes. Our policy is that the security deposit is typically one month's rent. Pets are not allowed without your permission and any additional pet deposits are handled on a case-by-case basis. Any damage caused by the pet remains the tenant’s responsibility.

• How do you determine how much my property will rent for?

  We prepare a thorough rental analysis, which takes into account the size, number of bedrooms and baths, age, and other features and upgrades. We compare these details with similar properties in your area to determine the right price. Our goal is to get you the highest rental rate in the shortest amount of time.

• How do you screen tenants?

  We have a comprehensive screening process which includes the following:

  • Credit History
  • Criminal History
  • Eviction Search
  • Employment Verification
  • Prior Rental Verification

  While it is impossible to eliminate all of the risk, a good screening process can help minimize them.

• What areas do you manage property in?

  We service the counties of Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, and northern Manatee.

• What types of properties do you manage?

  We manage single-family homes, condominiums, town homes, and multifamily properties. Our focus is residential.

• Will you help me with an eviction if it is needed?

  Yes. The eviction process is something that must be handled correctly so that you can remove the tenant in the shortest amount of time. We work with a law firm that specializes in landlord/tenant law and will help coordinate things at the local level.

• If I have my property managed by Evernest, can you save me money?

  Yes. In most cases we have found that our fees are more than offset by our ability to obtain higher rents, less delinquency, lower vacancy rates, lower repair costs, and a faster turn-around of vacating units. In short, your cash flow will be better than if you try to manage all of the day-to-day burdens yourself. The owner can also usually write off these management expenses and get a schedule E tax deduction for these services. Our services help to protect your investment, enhance your cash flow, and save you valuable time.

• What about a pet fee?

  Pets are not allowed without your permission. When pets are allowed, an additional monthly pet fee may be required for each pet. Damage above and beyond any normal wear-and-tear related to a pet remains the tenants' responsibility.

• Do you keep up with all the changing rules and regulations with new legislation?

  Yes. Evernest is a member of the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM), The National Association of Realtors (NAR), and Greater Tampa Association of Realtors (GTAR). These organizations are constantly monitoring industry legislation and changes.

• Will I know what is going on with my property?

  Yes. We place a great emphasis on maintaining a high level of communication. We will contact you at reasonable times to discuss repairs and notify you of any tenant request to vacate. In addition, we offer you 24/7 secure access to your property details online.

• Do you qualify all applicants that want to rent my property?

  Yes. Our application is designed to generate complete information from each prospective tenant. We process all applications and verify criminal background, rental history, employment history, income verification, and credit history.

• Do you advertise vacancies?

  Yes! We have the best marketing program in the business! We start marketing the vacancy as soon as we receive notice from the tenant of their intention to vacate. We know where to advertise to find tenants quickly. We know the rent values and time on the market in your area. Additionally, we then advertise in the local community, through web-based resources and through a Realtor referrals network.

• Do you handle problems late at night?

  Yes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Tenants are instructed to place minor maintenance requests via their online Tenant Portals. In the event of an emergency, we have staff 24/7 able to take emergency maintenance calls. Many times, we can solve minor problem over the phone and initiate a scheduled non-emergency repair.

• When do I get my monthly statement and check after the tenant pays their rent?

  Rents are due on the first of each month, and there is a short grace period. We will have a monthly statement and direct deposit initiated on or about the 10th of every month.

• Are your management fees competitive?

  Yes. We do not charge any upfront fees, no hidden fees, and nothing while the home is vacant. Our monthly property management fee is 10% of the monthly rent amount. Our tenant placement fee is equal to 75% of one month's rent. We charge no administration fees, no lease renewal fees, and no junk fees.

• Does your management agreement give you exclusive right to sell my property?

  No. We can sell your property if you would like us to, but it is not a requirement of our management contract. We do offer a deep discounted rate of 2.5% to perform the sale of real estate between Owner and the existing tenant.

• Are you licensed?

  Yes. All of our Area Directors, Regional Property Specialists, and our Office Manager are licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR). We are also a licensed Florida Real Estate Brokerage Company. License status may be confirmed by visiting https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp.

For more information about Tampa Property Management, please visit our educational blog.