Austin Property Management Blog

Happy Thanksgiving!

From everyone here at BMG Austin we want to wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!

Holiday Season Closings

With the holiday season on the horizon there will be closures each month for the rest of the year in an effort to give everyone here with their families and friends we will be closed on the following dates.

• Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 27th, 2025
• Christmas Day on Thursday, December 25th, 2025
• New Year’s Day on Thursday, January 1st, 2026

We will resume normal business hours on the next business day following the listed holidays.

Employee Spotlight: Maureen Benavides, Director of Operations at BMG Austin

Some of you have had the opportunity to work with Maureen in various ways, so we wanted to share a recent post about her!

Cold Weather Tips

In our recent blog post for tenants, we included info and reminders ...

Tenant screening is one of the most crucial steps in protecting your rental investment and ensuring you find reliable, long-term tenants. While traditional screening methods work, they can be time-consuming and inconsistent. That’s where AI tenant screening comes in. It automates the process to deliver faster results, helping landlords make quicker moves. However, like any tool, it comes with benefits and risks that are important for landlords and property owners to be aware of.  

What Is AI Tenant Screening?

Tenant screening is a crucial part of the rental process for property management in Austin. This process involves reviewing the information of all rental applicants to determine whether they meet the requirements for your rental property.  

AI tenant screening refers to the use of artificial intelligence to automate the process of identifying and vetting potential tenants. Screening is an integral part of the rental process, but it requires time to ...

Every landlord wants to protect their investment and ensure their communities are safe. However, it’s equally important to follow Fair Housing Laws — especially when considering applicants with criminal records. That said, landlords must take a careful approach in this situation to avoid discrimination while still protecting their property. Today, we’ll discuss what the law says, how to screen fairly, and the guidelines you must follow at both the federal and local levels.  

Can You Refuse to Rent to Someone With a Criminal Record?

No, you typically cannot deny rental applicants with criminal records as the sole reason for rejecting their application.  

As an Austin property manager or landlord, it’s essential to know who you’re renting to–which means you’ll likely do a background check. A background check can reveal a lot about a person, but the issue is how you ...

Bathrooms sell rentals — and the right updates can boost perceived value, justify higher rent, and shorten days on the market. So, why not do everything you can to have a successful rental property? In today’s article, we discuss why bathroom grades matter for rental ROI, some of the best bathroom renovations, and what upgrades not to overspend on.  

Why Bathroom Upgrades Matter for Rental ROI

Periodic upgrades are essential for every rental property, and some rooms may require more attention than others. Our Texas property management team can tell you, bathrooms sell rental properties.  

That said, it’s essential to pay attention to when yours needs updating. After all, upgrades (especially in areas like bathrooms) help justify higher rent and reduce the number of days your rental is sitting on the market. ...

Daylight Savings Time Ends!

If you are in a US state that observes daylight savings time, don’t forget that on Sunday, November 2nd, the clocks will “fall back” by one hour.  At 2am the clocks will change back to 1am, and although these days most clocks adjust automatically, there may still be some that need to be updated manually.    

Holiday Season Closings 

With the holiday season...

Real Estate Market Update

Austin has been named one of the strongest buyer’s markets by Redfin. Other data sources show that the downward trend for sales continues along with the traditional seasonality that is expected at this time of year. The Austin rental market is still considered one of the most expensive in the metro area according to Zumper. We have mentioned in previous posts that the leasing market is very competitive now, so reductions in rent and offering incentives are extremely important to find tenants. As you likely know, it’s better to have a home rented for less than desired as opposed to sitting vacant and earning nothing at all.

Daylight Savings Time Ends!

If you are in a US st...

Not every great applicant checks every box–this is where co-signers for rentals can be helpful. Whether an applicant has a limited rental history, thin credit, or is a recent graduate just starting out, a qualified co-signer can help them qualify for housing without compromising your standards. Today, we’ll discuss what co-signers are, when it makes sense to allow them, and the pros and cons. 

What Is a Rental Co-Signer?

A co-signer for a rental property is an individual who agrees to be responsible for rent payments if the tenant fails to make them. If you’re evaluating co-signers as part of your Austin property management solutions, this role can help strong applicants with little credit or rental history.  

Typically, this individual does not live at the property, but is still listed in the lease agreement at the start of the lease period. Co-signers for rentals are generally parents, siblings,...

Security deposits can be a win-win when they’re handled correctly. After all, they protect the property while allowing tenants to get their money back, as long as they treat the property well. That said, it’s essential for both landlords and tenants to understand what constitutes normal wear and tear versus damage. Today, we’ll discuss the importance of a deposit, legal security deposit deductions, and costs you can’t charge. 

The Purpose of a Security Deposit

Security deposits are a crucial part of the rental process. Many Austin, Texas, property management companies charge a security deposit, in addition to the first month’s rent, when a tenant first moves into a rental property. This protects against things like unpaid rent, lease violations, and damage beyond normal wear and tear.  

If the tenant takes good care of the property, pays their rent, and causes no excessive damage, they can ...

Tenant turnover is one of the most significant challenges that landlords and property managers face. After all, if your properties aren’t occupied, there’s no money coming in. Not to mention it takes time and money to find a replacement tenant. That said, the key to a successful business is finding and keeping good tenants, which starts by knowing why renters leave in the first place. Read along as we go over some of the most common reasons for turnover and how to stop it.  

Key Takeaways: 

• Rent increases, lack of spaces, ignored maintenance, and neighborhood concerns are some of the most common reasons why renters leave.  

• Grant Williams - Monday, October 6, 2025

  Both landlords and tenants have several responsibilities when it comes to maintaining a rental property. Landlords are generally responsible for maintaining a habitable home that meets all local and state building and health codes. On the other hand, tenants are responsible for using the property properly, keeping it clean, and avoiding damage caused by negligence or misuse. So are landlords responsible for clogged drains? Read along to find out.

  Key Takeaways:

  • Landlords are generally responsible for major plumbing issues, structural problems, or clogs caused by normal wear and tear.
  • Tenants are usually liable if clogs result from negligence or misuse, like flushing non-flushables or pouring grease down drains.
  • Check your lease first, as it should outline who handles routine clogs versus larger plumbing repairs.

  
  

  Are Landlords Responsible for Clogged Drains?

  When it comes to a clogged drain in a rental property, the responsibility of fixing it depends on a few things. For instance, if the clog is caused by structural issues within the plumbing system, like deteriorating pipes, tree roots, or problems with the main sewer line, it’s typically up to the landlord to repair it.

  With that, most state and local housing laws require landlords to provide safe, habitable living conditions. This includes providing tenants with working plumbing and drainage systems. So, if...