Houston property management FAQ
Straight answers before you sign.
What it costs, how repairs work, how you get paid, and how to leave if we don't earn our fee.
What you pay, and when you get paid.
Every fee is on our pricing page. If it isn't listed, we don't charge it.
What does management cost?
8% of the rent we collect each month. Leasing is one month's rent, renewals are $100, and make-ready coordination is a flat $150, $250 or $350 depending on the size of the job. There are no setup, admin or technology fees.
Do you charge anything while the home is vacant?
No. The 8% applies only to rent collected. No rent, no fee.
When do I get paid?
Your proceeds go to your bank by direct deposit on the 10th of each month, with a statement in your owner portal showing every invoice.
Do you hold a reserve?
Yes, $500 per door stays in your account so small repairs don't wait on approvals. Anything over $500, we call you first.
Who keeps the tenant's late fees?
We do. Chasing late rent is collection work, and the tenant pays for it, not you. We only earn our 8% when rent actually comes in, so on-time rent is still what we want most.
How maintenance works.
You pay what the contractor charges. Nothing added.
Do you mark up repairs?
No. You pay the contractor's price, and the original invoice is attached to your statement. We don't send work to an in-house crew.
When do you need my approval?
For any repair over $500, we call you first. Smaller repairs are paid from your reserve so they don't wait.
What about emergencies?
Residents can reach us 24/7. If a repair can't wait, such as an active leak, we stop the damage first and call you right after.
How do make-readies work?
We scope the job before work starts and you see the contractor bids and the tier in writing. The tier never changes because the bill went up.
Finding and keeping good residents.
How do you set the rent?
From current comparable rentals near your property. We review market rent again 60 days before each lease ends.
How do you screen applicants?
Credit, criminal background, income, employment and rental history for every adult. Applicants need gross income of at least 3 times the rent and no evictions. We apply the same criteria to everyone, following Fair Housing law.
Do I decide on pets and minimum credit?
Yes. You set the minimum credit score and whether pets are allowed. Service and assistance animals aren't pets and can't be refused under Fair Housing law.
Who holds the security deposit?
We hold it in trust and handle the move-out accounting under the Texas Property Code.
What happens at renewal?
We review market rent 60 days before the lease ends, send the renewal offer and sign the new lease. Flat $100.
Can I cancel?
Anytime, with 30 days' written notice. No termination fee and no fee to release the tenant. We hand over leases, deposits, keys and records to you or your next manager.
What agreement do you use?
The Texas REALTORS® Residential Real Estate Management Agreement, the standard form used across Texas, filled in with the terms on our pricing page.
Do I need landlord insurance?
Yes. You'll need a landlord policy with at least $500,000 in liability coverage, naming Signature as additional insured.
Is your rental a fit?
What do you manage?
Class A and B single-family homes and small multifamily (2 to 4 units) in Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend counties, for owners holding for the long term.
I already have a manager. Can I switch?
Yes. Give your current manager notice under your agreement, and we coordinate the transfer of leases, deposits, keys and records. Your tenants stay in place.
Should I keep this rental at all?
That's what the free Rental Property Review answers: market rent, what it should cost to run, and an honest keep, improve or sell view, even if the answer isn't "hire us."
Still have a question?
Send the address and ask us anything. Within 1 day you'll get a rent estimate and an honest look at what the property should cost to run.
Or call (832) 916-3547
