We use Quinovic for our house in Napier (we are in Auckland). Never had a real issue. Have used them for 4+ years now and been through I think 3 property managers (maybe only 2).
The issues we did/do have are around communication. As the account the rent goes into is used to pay our mortgage, it is important that we know when the rent isn't going to be there so we can top it up from elsewhere. We had a couple of issues when the tenant did not come in to pay (I think they come into the office and give them cash??), and the property manager did not tell us, the rent just didn't go into our account, and as the mortgage is timed to go out the same day the rent goes in, it was a bit awkward. We told them we needed better notice of when the tenant hasn't paid (this happened a couple of times) and since then they have been great. We get an email telling us if the tenant has missed, and that they have contacted them. Then we get another one once the Tenant has paid (usually the next business day). The tenant has probably only missed about 6 times in the 4 years, so pretty good.
The other issue I have with them (and I suppose it is the same with the others?) is that they hold the tenants rent for 5 days in trust before they pay it over to us. This is a pain, and I can't see why they cant just make the transfer as soon as they have the money (unless the tenant is paying by cheque I suppose?). To me it seems archaic, and I've never really had a satisfactory answer as to why they have do it.
Other than those two minor quibbles, we haven't had an issue with Quinovic, and would use again.
As an ex-renter, I'd stay away from Ray White (here in Aussie anyway). The guy never turned up for 2 of the 6-monthly inspections and another time spent less than 30 seconds in the house and didn't go out the back at all. He obviously didn't know he was being watched on an IP cam. Twice more he didn't leave a copy of the condition report. He was also uncontactable when things happened to the house (pipe blockage & broken aircon that, it turns out, the landlord was never told about anyway). Luckily when the landlord wanted to sell, he came to us directly and we told him everything. He stopped using them for his other properties AFAIK. We ended up buying the house.
Wow some really great responses here, thanks guys for your feedback and being so open to sharing your past experiences.
I guess my take away from this would be that I need a property manager who makes sure they treat my investments like theirs, someone who's in contact with me before the proverbial hits the fan but independent enough to know what needs to be done without bugging me for every detail, and most importantly, will chase the tenants if indeed it all goes to hell. I think another thing that was brought up is someone who actually knows the industry well and the laws regarding tenancy like the back of their hands.
I know some of you have already given some recommendations, and I'm real thankful for that, but what about the others. Anyone that you'd care to recommend?
We had 2 properties under management for about 5 years which have since been sold. Communications was always difficult as you would mostly get an answer phone (even when calling their mobiles) and no one would call back when you asked them to. Phone whoever you plan to use and see if someone answers the phone or you are told to leave a message. I can't recommend any particular property manager as our experience was that we still had too many issues to solve ourselves when tenants left. I'm glad I'm out of the property rental business.
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