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Property Management

Questions to Ask a Houston Property Manager

A management agreement shapes your expenses, your tenant quality, and your legal exposure. Interview at least two or three firms with the same questions and compare answers in writing.

Last reviewed: October 5, 2026 · 2 min read · 713 Metrics Editorial

Fees

  • What is the management fee, and is it charged on rent collected or rent due?
  • What is the leasing fee for a new tenant? Renewal fee?
  • Do you mark up maintenance invoices? By how much?
  • Are there setup, inspection, vacancy, or eviction-coordination fees?
  • What fees are charged to tenants, and who keeps them?

Tenant screening and leasing

  • What written screening criteria do you use?
  • How do you verify income, rental history, and identity?
  • How do you set asking rent, and who approves it?
  • What lease form do you use?
  • How do you apply fair-housing rules consistently?

Rent collection and maintenance

  • How is rent collected, and when is it disbursed to owners?
  • What is your late-payment process?
  • What repairs can you approve without me, and up to what dollar limit?
  • How are after-hours emergencies handled?
  • Do you use in-house staff or third-party vendors? Are vendors insured?
  • How often do you inspect occupied properties? Do I get photos?

Accounting and deposits

  • What monthly and year-end statements do I receive?
  • Do you provide year-end tax documents?
  • Where are security deposits held, and how do you handle move-out deductions and refunds?
  • Is there an owner portal and a tenant portal?

Renewals, evictions, and compliance

  • How do you handle renewals and rent changes?
  • What is your eviction process and who represents the owner?
  • Is the firm and its broker licensed with the Texas Real Estate Commission?
  • What insurance do you carry, and what do you require of me?

Capacity and fit

  • How many doors do you manage, and how many per manager?
  • What property types and Houston areas do you cover?
  • What is your typical response time to owners and tenants?
  • How can either party cancel the contract, and with what notice or fees?

Property Manager Interview Checklist

  • Management fee and basis
  • Leasing and renewal fees
  • Maintenance markup and approval limit
  • Written screening criteria
  • Fair-housing procedures
  • Rent collection & disbursement timing
  • Late-payment and eviction process
  • Emergency repair process
  • Vendor insurance
  • Inspection frequency
  • Owner statements & tax documents
  • Security deposit handling
  • TREC license verified
  • Insurance requirements
  • Portfolio size and staffing
  • Geographic coverage
  • Response time commitment
  • Cancellation terms

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Sources & Further Reading

  1. Texas Real Estate Commission — License holder search and consumer information. www.trec.texas.gov
  2. Texas Legislature — Texas Property Code, Chapter 92 — Residential Tenancies. statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.92.htm
  3. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp

Sources accessed for review on October 5, 2026. Laws, rates, and programs change — confirm current details at the source.

713 Metrics provides educational and informational tools and content. Nothing on the platform constitutes financial, investment, tax, legal, lending, appraisal, brokerage, insurance, or real-estate advice. Users should independently verify information and consult appropriate licensed professionals.