Being a landlord sounds simple on the surface—find a tenant, collect rent, and maybe fix a leaky faucet here and there. But if you’ve ever managed a property yourself, you know it’s rarely that easy.
At Houses & Then Some Rentals & Realty, we’ve met a lot of people who started out managing their own properties—smart, capable folks who just wanted to protect their investment and save a little money. But more often than not, they run into issues they didn’t see coming. If you’re thinking about managing your own property, or already are, here are some things to keep in mind.
Legal Trouble Comes Quicker Than You Think
It only takes one missed detail—a form filed wrong, a step skipped in the eviction process, or a conversation you thought was harmless—to land you in court.
We’ve seen landlords try to handle things informally, like taping a handwritten eviction notice to a tenant’s door. Unfortunately, courts don’t see it that way. One small misstep can delay the process for weeks or cost you thousands.
Screening Tenants Is More Than Just a Gut Feeling
A quick chat and a good vibe might seem like enough—but without a proper background and credit check, you’re taking a huge risk.
One example we’ll never forget: A DIY landlord skipped the screening to “save time,” only to end up with a tenant who didn’t pay after the first month. It took over 90 days and a court case to get the unit back. That’s a long time without income—and a lot of stress. We handle the tenant acquisition and retention, for you.
Maintenance Requests Don’t Stick to Business Hours
When something goes wrong, you’re the one getting the call—whether it’s 2 p.m. or 2 a.m.
We’ve had landlords tell us they’ve missed family dinners, cut vacations short, or left weddings early to deal with issues like overflowing toilets or broken HVAC systems. That’s not the kind of “passive income” most people sign up for.
Tenant Relationships Can Get Tricky
Being too friendly or too hands-off both come with problems. Once you start waiving late fees or ignoring lease terms, it becomes harder to get back on track. Having a professional in the middle keeps things respectful and clear. It also helps prevent conflict, misunderstandings, and those awkward “business meets friendship” moments.
You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know
Every state and city has different rules around fair housing, security deposits, lease agreements, and timelines. And they change. A lot. Staying on top of it all is a job in itself—and missing a legal update could mean serious consequences. That’s why professional property managers do continuing education and stay connected with legal experts. We know the rules so you don’t have to.
Final Thought: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
If you’re tired of the headaches or just want to free up your time, let’s talk. At Houses & Then Some Rentals & Realty, we help owners and investors get their time back, keep their properties in great shape, and stay on the right side of the law. You don’t have to figure it all out alone—and you definitely don’t have to answer a 3 a.m. call about a leaking ceiling ever again.
Give us a call at 864-395-6538, shoot us a message at property.htsi@gmail.com, or swing by—we’re here to help. Thank you for choosing Houses & Then Some Rentals & Realty.
