You’ve got rental properties in Memphis and a to-do list that’s eating your weekends alive. Time to bring in a property manager, right? Not so fast.
In this town, hiring the wrong one doesn’t just mean late rent – it means busted pipes, botched turnovers, and tenants ghosting faster than a Beale Street blues riff.
You’re not just hiring help. You’re hiring someone to protect your income, your reputation, and your sanity. So don’t wing it. Grill them like your bottom line’s on the line – because it is.
Read on to learn the right questions to ask a property management company.
1. Property Management Tips: Ask About Local Experience
When you’re vetting property managers, don’t just ask how long they’ve been in property management – ask how long they’ve been managing in Memphis. National or even regional experience doesn’t automatically translate to success in a city like this. Memphis isn’t just one rental market; it’s dozens.
A manager who understands the tight rental inventory in Cooper-Young, the pricing sweet spots near Shelby Farms, and the code enforcement patterns in Binghampton will make smarter, faster decisions for your property.
You want someone who can tell you the difference between a good tenant and a red flag based on how a unit shows after a stormy weekend, or who knows how long it typically takes to rent a two-bed duplex in Whitehaven without guessing.
Ask them to name the Memphis neighborhoods where they currently manage properties. If they’ve navigated the specifics of Memphis zoning, permits, and tenant expectations, that’s a serious advantage.
2. Check Their Maintenance Strategy
In Memphis, where humidity warps floors, storms knock out power, and aging plumbing can turn into a weekend flood, you need a manager with a proactive, not reactive, approach. Don’t settle for a vague “we handle repairs.” Ask them to break it down.
Address routine maintenance in your property manager interview questions. Do they schedule seasonal HVAC servicing? How often do they inspect properties?
Preventative work in Memphis isn’t optional; it’s what keeps your unit rent-ready when others are scrambling for contractors.
Now move to emergency response. What happens if a pipe bursts at 2 a.m.? Do they have an on-call team or a list of vetted local vendors? How quickly can they dispatch someone, and who approves the cost?
You want a manager who balances urgency with accountability, not someone who throws expensive fixes at every problem without checking in.
Also, ask how maintenance requests are tracked. A digital ticketing system with time-stamped updates is miles better than a notepad on a desk.
3. How Do They Tenant Screen?
Tenant screening is the frontline defense for your property, your income, and your peace of mind. A polished manager should have a system that goes well beyond gut instinct or a quick credit check.
Ask them exactly how they evaluate applications. Do they pull credit reports? Run criminal background checks? Verify employment and contact previous landlords? Get specific.
A solid manager should be using a third-party platform or in-house software to streamline and document this process, not scribbling notes in a file folder.
You also want to know how they weigh each piece of information. Is a high income enough to offset a poor rental history?
What’s their cutoff credit score? Will they accept co-signers or Section 8 tenants, and how do they verify voucher limits? A vague answer like “we use our best judgment” should raise a red flag.
4. Rent Collection and Late Payments
Rent collection should be smooth, structured, and digital. If a property manager hesitates when explaining how they handle payments, you’re gambling with your cash flow.
Start with the basics: How do tenants pay? The gold standard is an online portal that accepts bank transfers, debit, or credit cards.
It should track payments automatically and notify both tenants and landlords when rent is due or late. If a manager still accepts only checks or cash, it’s time to move on.
Then, get into the nitty-gritty of late payments. When is rent considered late? What are the late fees? Do they follow up with tenants directly or through automated reminders? And more importantly, what’s their escalation process?
Ask how often tenants fall behind and how the manager resolves it. Do they offer payment plans? Do they file notices immediately? A good property manager will balance firmness with strategy, protecting your income while keeping tenant retention in mind.
5. How Do You Handle Tenant Communication?: Property Management Guidelines
Tenant communication isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the quiet engine that powers retention, prevents disputes, and protects your reputation as a landlord.
Do the property managers use:
- Phone calls
- Text messages
- A tenant portal
Tenants today expect quick, clear communication, especially when something’s broken or unclear. A property manager should offer multiple channels, with a standard response time (ideally within 24 hours for non-emergencies and much faster for urgent requests).
If their approach still leans heavily on voicemails and in-office visits, that’s a signal they’re not built for modern expectations.
Then ask about tone and consistency. Do they maintain a professional but friendly relationship with tenants? Do they document conversations, especially around maintenance or lease violations?
Miscommunication is one of the top reasons tenants move out or escalate issues; your manager needs to keep records that cover both your liability and your tenant’s rights.
Pay attention to how they communicate with you. Do they send regular updates? Do you get copied on major tenant interactions?
In Memphis, where property values and tenant expectations can shift depending on the neighborhood, you want a manager who keeps you in the loop and not just when something’s on fire.
Questions to Ask a Property Management Company: Start Today
With these questions to ask a property management company, you’ll find the perfect professionals for your needs in no time at all.
If you’re interviewing property managers in Memphis, don’t settle for surface-level answers. At Reedy & Company, we’ve been setting the standard since 2002, managing over 3,500 properties with real-time insights, in-house maintenance, and a team that actually calls you back.
Whether you’re a local landlord or an out-of-state investor, we don’t just manage units, we build long-term value. Contact us today.
