Question 1

Am I required to make my property available to Section 8?

Accepted Answer

All housing providers in Washington State are required to accept Section 8 Housing Vouchers. RCW 59.17.255 describes that a landlord may not refuse to lease or rent any real property to a prospective or current tenant based on the tenant’s source of income. Housing providers may still conduct thorough screening of all criteria but must exclude the voucher amounts from income requirements.

Question 2

Are you a licensed property manager?

Accepted Answer

Per Washington State Law, all our property managers are licensed real estate agents with a focus in property management in the Greater Seattle Area.

Question 3

Can I reach you after hours?

Accepted Answer

Email is always the best form of communication for your property managers. It establishes a written timeline of events and ensures all parties are on the same page. We reserve our after-hours, weekends, and holidays for maintenance emergencies only to ensure your property is always getting the best possible attention.

Question 4

Can you put the money directly into my account?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We distribute funds to owners every month via direct deposit (ACH) into the account of your choice. We will also publish a detailed accounting statement at the time of the distribution showing all funds collected and a detailed breakdown of expenses (if any) with copies of any invoices.

Question 5

Do I get to see the lease or sign it?

Accepted Answer

Our lease agreements are proprietary to Brink Property Management and have been carefully crafted over 25+ years in business with the best attorneys in our region. The lease agreements are with the property, not the owner or manager, and we execute on your behalf, allowing you to be passive as an owner/investor while we tackle the daily management of your property.

Question 6

Do you sell real estate too?

Accepted Answer

While our primary focus is managing and maintaining rental properties, we are licensed real estate agents with extensive experience in the industry. We are NWMLS members and are happy to help existing clients sell their properties to other clients looking to grow their portfolio, the tenant in the property, or on the open market.

Question 7

How and when do I get my checks?

Accepted Answer

We transfer funds electronically on the 6th of every month to ensure prompt delivery. If the 6th is a Saturday, we will disburse on the 5th. If the 6th falls on a Sunday, we will disburse on the 7th.

Question 8

How is rent collection handled?

Accepted Answer

We have a 99% adoption rate on our online tenant portal. Rent is always charged and due on the 1st of each month. Most of our tenants pay online and on time through the tenant portal. Per Washington State Landlord Tenant Law, RCW 59.18.170 states that housing providers must allow a 5 day grace period before late fees are charged. We ensure timely communication and reminders for tenants who have not paid by the 3rd of the month and will begin collection actions immediately following the mandatory grace period to maintain the financial health of the property.

Question 9

How long of a lease do you sign?

Accepted Answer

We will always default to a 12-month lease to start. We have some of the most stringent screening criteria in the region aimed to mitigate risk as much as possible. However, as with any venture, the risk associated with being a housing provider can never be eliminated. Having a 12-month starting lease allows for enough time to ensure the tenant is truly a good fit for your property, while providing options if they are not. From there, renewal negotiations and longer terms may be warranted based on tenant performance. Of course, there may be unique circumstances and offers during the leasing process which will always be presented to you with our recommendations.

Question 10

How much security deposit do you charge the tenant?

Accepted Answer

In most instances, we collect First Full Month’s Rent plus One Month Security Deposit at the onset of tenancy. There are instances where we may collect an Additional Security Deposit equal to (½) to Full Month's Rent or Last Month's Rent depending on screening results.

Question 11

How soon can you start managing my property?

Accepted Answer

We can start as soon as you are ready! The first steps would be to have an initial phone call followed by an on-site review of your property. The whole onboarding process can take about a week for admin/paperwork and a thorough inspection.

Question 12

What type of properties do you manage?

Accepted Answer

We manage a mixture of properties ranging from Single Family, Condominiums, Townhomes, Duplex, Triplex, 4-plex, and small multi-family buildings up to about 35 units. We do have experience managing larger communities as well.

Question 13

What type of reports do I get and how often?

Accepted Answer

Every month, you will receive a detailed accounting statement published to your Owner’s Portal at the time of a distribution. We will also publish a year-end 12-month income statement along with a 1099 to ensure your taxes are nice and easy!

Question 14

Who holds the tenant security deposit?

Accepted Answer

We hold Security Deposits in a separate Trust Account to ensure proper handling of funds per Washington State Landlord-Tenant law.

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