The short answer is no. We do not combine income unless you are a legally married couple. Even if you are engaged to be married, or boyfriends/girlfriends.

The reasoning behind this is that “roommates” are able to leave a little more freely than if it were a married couple. Couples who are married have more ties to sever than roommates do, such as a divorce, separation agreement, pets, kids, etc.

Roommates are still able to rent with BPM, but we require that at least one of the roommates qualify on all portions of the qualifications, the main being 3 times the monthly rent in gross income.

Everyone over 18 will still be on the lease, however if that person who qualified decides not to renew, then BPM cannot allow other roommates (who did not qualify) to stay without another qualified person.

Now what if you have a family member or friend willing to “co-sign” with you?

BarronsPM does not do co-signers, however we will allow a person to apply and be on the lease with you if you cannot meet the qualifications yourself. This is very similar to co-signing, but there is a distinct difference, they will be on the lease, and just as responsible as you are, even if they aren’t living with you.

This means, if the lease defaults, rent payments go unpaid or late, it will show on all parties’ background / credit.

As states reopen, Barrons Property Managers is working to get back to normal as well.

We are starting to scheduled and coordinate inspections for renewals and pet inspections as well. Due to the amount of time that BPM was not able to safely complete these, we have quite the backlog of inspections that need to be completed.

We would like to ask that you be cooperative and help us during this time and work to get these completed for the owners to view. 

Renewal inspections take about 15-20 minutes and are a walkthrough of the property and includes photos of each room and is to document the condition of the home.

A pet inspection, one you as a tenant already paid for, is again, a quick walk through but does not include photos. Instead it looks specifically for pet related damages, such as scratches, smells, odors, holes in yard, etc.

Lately, with everyone being told to stay home and “social distance” we have noticed a very sharp increase in scam listings being posted all over the internet, especially Craigslist.

Unfortunately, we have even had someone pay lots of money and many give personal information out, under the impression that the “owner” is leaving the management company.

Barrons Property Managers has taken the initiative to regularly check for any scam “listings”, posting notices on our properties, and flagging any numbers / names that are reported to us as being a scam.

But you need to make sure you are further protected, so here are some tips and things to keep in mind

• Drive by the property and check for a professional sign in the yard. Management companies will not keep signs in the yard for a property that they no longer manage.

• If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. A house that is listed for $700 a month on craigslist but seems it should be higher, is a good sign you are seeing a fake listing.

• If they say “I’ll meet you at the property for a viewing” and then never show up and say there’s a box there, you are being baited into getting the key for them.

• If there is a lock box on the property, but they say to leave the key in the mail box, or somewhere else, they want you to do the dirty work for them so they can scam other people too.

• If they say “just cash app me the money” or something that sounds weird for a landlord to request money through, please do not send them anything.

If you suspect you are being scammed, do your research and see if you can find any listing on Zillow, rent.com, Trulia, or any other official website that may list a different contact. Scammer do not pay for anything, they only take money.

If you find that you have been scammed, given information like a social security number or credit card number, file a police report with the local authorities and give them any and all information you have on the scammer.

“What if I need a lease shorter than 12 months?”

“Do you offer a 6 month lease?”

“Can I stay for one more month to finish up my schooling?”

All are very common questions received by landlords and property managers. BarronsPM offers a 12 month lease, a 7 month lease and a month to month option.

A lease under 6 months and 1 day is considered a vacation rental and BPM no longer manages that type of rentals. BPM offers a 7 month lease. This is a “long term” rental and is available for most properties, pending owner approval.

Another alternative to a 12 month lease is a month to month agreement, which is an extension of the lease you already signed with BarronsPM. It is only available after a 12 month or 7 month lease. This option is available for UP TO 3 MONTHS. After those 3 months, a new 12 or 7 month lease must be signed, or the tenant must vacate the premises.

Both are great options for someone who knows they will be moving in the near future but not immediately. If you are one of these renters, you should check in with BPM about the options available to you and the property.

If you sign a 12 month lease then move 4 months in due to relocation or just bad planning in general, you will be liable for rent and care of the property until the end of your lease or until a new tenant is secured for the property, regardless if you are still living there or not.

We never like to lose tenants, but we understand jobs change locations, situations change, salaries differ year to year, more kids, and empty nesters downsize. We are always happy to talk with any tenant of ours about moving to a bigger or small residence we have available.

Make sure to talk with your property manager/landlord and get your plan ready, your lease is always available for review in your tenant portal, make sure you know when it ends, what the notice requirement is and what the move out procedures are.

Why should I get renters insurance?

An Owners insurance policy covers the property itself due to fire, flood, slip and fall incidents, earthquakes and plumbing breakages.  The owners insurance does NOT cover a tenants belongings or compensate for alternative arrangements the tenant incurs.

Renters insurance is available to all renters and can be purchased through most car insurance agencies as a bundle.

What is it?

• Financial reimbursement for tenants lost or damages possession as a result of fire, theft or vandalism
• Liability in the event of injury to visitors on premises
• Provide compensation for alternative living arrangements if property becomes uninhabitable due to fire or storm damage.

Sources:

“Learn Renters Insurance 101 with These FAQs.” TrustedChoice.com, www.trustedchoice.com/renters-insurance/coverage-faq/#Question2.

Welcome back to our blog!

During this difficult time, there have been many questions coming up about job loss and rent payments.  Now, if you are a tenant or owner, you have received an email letter to address those items, however we feel it should be reiterated.

All rent payments remain due per the lease agreement. We understand some tenants may have lost income from closures due to this unique situation. Please make sure to let Barrons PM know, we will also accept partial rent payments.

All owners should be prepared for the possibility of a late rent payment or a partial payment.

We will continue to allow online payments for those tenants who are allowed to do so. There is no fee for paying online, but you must select the E-CHECK option.

Any tenants no longer allowed to pay rent online can mail there checks to our office, or can personally deliver them to our office using the mail slot on the back door of our office.

All rent payments done via check must be completely filled out and labeled with the tenant name and address and sealed in an envelope.

In addition to rent, maintenance will be completed if and when safe to do so. You will also be asked if you are in quarantine or been around someone sick. Any maintenance items sent in that are not urgent, will be placed on hold until safe to complete.

All pet and renewal inspection will be delayed to prevent any possible spread of germs.

Our office hours have also been altered during this time. We are also not allowing any walk-ins or appointments. Should you call no be answered, please leave a brief message with your name, number, property, and reason for your call and it will be returned as soon as possible.

Sunday is Daylights Saving Time AND spring cleaning!

If you are like most people, you probably have not energy to clean after working a long day. Unfortunately, we still need to wash the dishes, vacuum the floors, do laundry, etc. But what are the other things that aren’t cleaned regularly but definitely should be?

Now is a great time to take care of some of these:

• Door mats
• Window blinds
• Doors
• Cabinets
• Junk drawers
• Curtains
• Fans
• Mattress
• Patio Furniture
• Coffee maker/ pot
• Fridge
• Oven
• Microwave
• Shed
• Garage

Hi Tenants!

Now that we are in the middle of February, most tenants have paid rent!

Some have even paid for March already (way to go!)

Some have not even paid February, which was due on the 1^st….

When asked “when will rent be paid?” some tenants respond with “when this gets done, I will pay rent”, this is NOT a valid reason to withhold rent.

Keeping the line of communication open with your property manager is the best thing to do. Not letting your property manager know your situation, when you plan to pay, and/or avoiding calls/messages/emails will only cause more problems.

Make sure to update your property manager with issues and changes.

The owner has to be updated promptly on why rent was not paid on time, when it will be received, etc.

We understand sometimes there are situations that cannot be avoided. We will try to work with you first, it is in your best interest and ours for you to pay rent, whether it be on time or a few days late. But when rent becomes 5, 7, 10, days late, etc., we are obligated by our commitment to the owner to resolve the situation and that could mean a 3 day notice being posted on the property.

Here are some other things to keep in mind:

• Paying on time will go toward potential rental references in the future
• Rent goes to maintenance needed/completed at the property
• You don’t have any utilities to pay if you are evicted for not paying rent
• Putting your best foot forward will show goodwill for a possible lease renewal
• Raise your credit score (Bonus!)
• Avoid late fees (Always a good thing)
• Avoid 3 day notice to vacate / eviction (big no-no & follows you for years!)
• SOMETHING IS BETTER THAN NOTHING, paying a partial amount and the rest at a later date is better than not paying anything.

In summary, pay rent on time and TALK TO YOUR PROPERTY MANAGER.

Barrons Property Managers is proud to be a part of the Pensacola Community and all the great things that Pensacola has to offer. Check out some of our favorite places to go and things to do. Our rental properties are located all over the Gulf Breeze, Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, Navarre, Milton, and pace areas. You will never be far from all the fun activities while renting with Barrons Property Managers

Reasons to live in the Pensacola area are ample and some of the best in the country. If you are new to the area, make sure to check out these great local attractions!

• The Graffiti Bridge: The 17th Avenue railroad trestle bridge was built in 1888. A local Pensacola landmark, people have been painting the bridge for generations and the paintings change daily. Graffiti coats every square inch of the little bridge, so that the art has moved outwards into the parking lot nearby and the railroad ties above. As with most graffiti, it’s not strictly legal, but the Pensacola community seems to have accepted the bridge and the art on it as a local landmark. Police largely look the other way as they drive past the nightly taggers.

• Naval Air Station Pensacola Museum of Naval Aviation: Experience hands-on history at the National Naval Aviation Museum located on board Pensacola Naval Air Station. See more than 4,000 artifacts and over 150 beautifully restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aviation. Experience the thrill of flight in the Flight Simulators, catch all the drama and power of the amazing Giant Screen Digital Theater and refresh with a tasty lunch in the authentic Cubi Bar Cafe. Then take home the spirit of Naval Aviation with a unique memento from The Flight Deck Store.

• The Fish House & Atlas: The Fish House is local, dockside dining overlooking beautiful Pensacola Bay and Seville Harbor. Just steps away from Historic Seville Square, our award-winning restaurant features an inventive menu of fresh, daily seafood selections, house-smoked steaks, sushi, a handpicked wine list with over 300 wines

• Casino Beach Bar and Grill: Island vibes, live entertainment and beautiful Gulf views take you to a place where time doesn’t matter. Don’t worry about brushing the sand off of your feet; just walk straight up from the water and have a good time. As iconic as the beach ball water tower, this location has no age, but it has quite a history.

• Bands on the Beach: Pensacola Beach’s popular outdoor summer concert series, Bands on the Beach, features a lineup of performers sure to please every musical taste. Located in the beautiful Gulfside Pavilion overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the series features regional artists performing a wide variety of music. Bring your lawn chair and join us every summer for hot music, smooth grooves and a whole lot of good times. Bands on the Beach is at 7 p.m. and begins the first Tuesday in April and ends the last Tuesday in October.

References:

Ugc. “Pensacola Graffiti Bridge.” Atlas Obscura, Atlas Obscura, 10 May 2017, www.atlasobscura.com/places/pensacola-graffiti-bridge-17th-ave-railroad-trestle.

“National Naval Aviation Museum.” Visit Pensacola, www.visitpensacola.com/listing/national-naval-aviation-museum/123/.

“Fish House & Atlas, Pensacola – Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews – Order Online Food Delivery.” Tripadvisor, www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34550-d515752-Reviews-Fish_House_Atlas-Pensacola_Florida.html.

“Casino Beach Bar and Grille.” Home | Casino Beach Bar and Grille, casinobeachbar.com/.

“Bands On The Beach    Pensacola Beach Air Show     Stargazing   Calendar of Events.” Santa Rosa Island Authority, visitpensacolabeach.com/whats-happening-bands-on-beach/.

Hi Friends!

It’s Mardi Gras season here on the Gulf Coast and Barrons Property Managers has the latest parade schedules to make sure to don’t miss a beat!

• Pensacola Mardi Gras Kick Off Celebration Parade- Jan 4^th from 5:00pm – 7:00 PM
• Milton Mardi Gras Parade- Feb 8^th from 5:00pm – 7:00 PM
• UWF Mardi Gras Parade- Feb 13^th from 5:00pm – 7:00 PM
• Escambia Westgate Parade (for special needs persons) – Feb 14^th from 8:30am – 11:00 AM
• Navarre Mardi Gras Parade- Feb 15^th from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade – Feb 23^rd from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Krewe of Wrecks Parade- Feb 23^rd from 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM

As always thank you for being a owner, tenant, or business partner with BPM and we hope your parade season is warmer than today’s chilly 37 degrees!

Don’t forget to bring us king cake when you get yours!