FAQs

For most residential properties, Centana Property Management charges 8%–12% of collected rent, depending on the property and location. There is no management fee when the property is vacant. If we are not collecting rent, you are not paying a monthly management fee. Commercial and larger multifamily properties are quoted individually based on the property and services required.

The monthly management fee covers the day-to-day management of the property, including rent collection, tenant communication, lease administration, coordination of routine property matters, owner accounting and monthly statements, security deposit administration, and management oversight. Leasing, maintenance, legal services, major projects, and other property-specific expenses may involve separate charges as explained in the management agreement.

Yes. Owning rental property has operating expenses that are separate from the management fee. Depending on the property, these may include repairs and maintenance, utilities, cleaning, lawn care, snow removal, advertising, insurance, taxes, legal expenses, licensed trades, capital improvements, and other third-party costs. We believe these costs should be discussed openly rather than appearing as surprises later.

Yes. Centana charges a 10% maintenance supervision fee on maintenance and repair work we coordinate for the property. This compensates Centana for receiving and evaluating requests, troubleshooting, scheduling staff or contractors, communicating with tenants and owners, supervising and documenting work, reviewing invoices, and following up on completion.

Maintenance management involves more than forwarding a work order. Someone must determine what is wrong, decide who should handle it, schedule access, communicate with the tenant, monitor the work, review the cost, document what was done, and follow up when necessary. The 10% fee helps pay for that coordination and accountability. For many owners, effective supervision can also reduce repeat trips, unnecessary contractor calls, delayed repairs, and larger problems caused by deferred maintenance.

The cost of providing maintenance is more than the technician's hourly wage. A legitimate in-house maintenance operation has payroll taxes and employee costs, workers' compensation insurance, liability insurance appropriate to the work being performed, vehicles, fuel, tools, equipment, training, scheduling, supervision, bookkeeping, and administrative overhead. Centana operates as a licensed general contractor and carries workers' compensation and liability insurance. These protections and operating costs are part of providing accountable maintenance service.

Available owner funds are distributed after rent has been received and processed and property expenses have been paid. Your management agreement and onboarding information explain the normal monthly distribution schedule.

Owners receive regular financial statements showing rental income and property expenses and have access to property information through our Owner Portal. Our accounting team maintains detailed records of receipts and disbursements affecting the property.

Yes. We provide year-end financial reporting to help you and your tax professional organize the income and expenses associated with your rental property. Your CPA or tax professional should advise you regarding the tax treatment of specific items.

Rental value depends on location, size, condition, amenities, season, competition, and current demand. We use comparable rentals and our experience in the Butte market to recommend a market-supported rent designed to maximize income without creating unnecessary vacancy.

We market available properties online and through rental marketing channels appropriate for the property. We respond to inquiries, coordinate the leasing process, and use our local market presence and referral network to connect qualified renters with available properties.

There is no responsible way to guarantee an exact timeframe. Location, condition, price, season, and market demand all affect leasing time. We focus on proper pricing, good presentation, effective marketing, prompt response, and careful tenant selection.

We coordinate turnover, document property condition, identify cleaning or repairs that may be needed, handle the security deposit accounting, and prepare the property for the next qualified tenant as efficiently as practical.