At Verandah Properties, we believe every story is a chance to learn. And this one—though unfortunate—is all too familiar.
One of our Lease-Only clients recently reached out to let us know they had just completed an eviction. The cost? Over $20,000 in unpaid rent, legal fees, turnover expenses, and emotional wear and tear. 😞
Here’s the kicker: the tenant who caused all this financial fallout wasn’t unqualified. On paper, he was ideal—retired Navy, great credit, additional income, and a history of homeownership.
So what went wrong?
It Wasn’t the Tenant. It Was the Lack of Tools.
This owner opted for our Lease-Only service, meaning they self-managed the property after the lease was signed. And while we provided a thoroughly screened, qualified tenant, we couldn’t provide what they truly needed:
- A structured system for enforcement
- Credit reporting leverage
- Experience navigating tenant hardship
- Persuasive communication skills to avoid a formal eviction
We’ve seen it time and time again—owners think they’re saving money by handling management themselves. But when things go sideways (as they sometimes do, even with good tenants), they’re left without a playbook… or protection.
What Full-Service Management Could Have Done Differently
Had Verandah been managing this property, the outcome likely would have been very different:
We rarely reach the point of eviction. Instead, we use strategic communication to secure Agreements to Vacate, helping tenants preserve their credit while avoiding long legal delays for our clients.
Our software allows us to report payment history to the credit bureaus, a powerful motivator that self-managing landlords don’t have access to.
Our owners benefit from professional landlord insurance, providing protection for unexpected loss of rent and tenant damage.
Most importantly, we know when to be firm, when to be flexible, and how to think five steps ahead—because this is what we do every day.
Lease-Only ≠ Professional Property Management
We’re not here to shame DIY landlords—many are doing their best with good intentions. But good intentions don’t pay the mortgage, and without the right systems, experience, and leverage, even the most well-meaning owner can find themselves $20,000 in the hole.
Our goal is to protect you before it gets to that point.
If you're weighing the cost of full-service management, consider this: it's not an expense—it's a safeguard. One that can save you thousands in the long run, not to mention your time, your peace of mind, and your property.
Ready to protect your investment the smart way?
📞 Let’s talk. We’ve built every process you could ever need—so you don’t have to learn the hard way.