Austin Property Management Blog

Every landlord or property manager has different requirements and expectations for their tenants. Some expect to see steady employment, some look for references that prove a positive rental experience, and some have income requirements. Today, we’re going to discuss why some landlords require 3 times the rent, what it means, and other factors they may consider instead.

Key Takeaways:

• The “3x rent rule” means tenants must earn at least three times the monthly rent in gross income.
• Landlords use this rule to reduce risk, follow industry standards, and ensure tenants can afford housing.
• Tenants who don’t meet the 3x rule may still qualify with a co-signer, savings, or strong rental history.

What Does “3 Times the Rent” Mean?

If you come across a rental ad that says something along the lines of “tenant must make 3x the rent”, it means that the landlord or Austin property management company is looking for someone who can prove their monthly gross income is at least three times the monthly rent. For instance, if the rent is $1,600, the tenant would need to make at least $4,800 per month before taxes.

Why Do Landlords Require This?

So, why do landlords require 3 times the rent? There are a few reasons for this. The most obviou...

Can landlords charge for painting a rental property? This may be one of the questions you have when moving into or out of a rental property. The answer largely depends on your lease agreement, which outlines the responsibilities of both the landlord and the tenant. However, there are a few scenarios where landlords may deduct the cost of painting from your security deposit. Read along to learn when landlords can charge for painting, how much they can deduct, and how to avoid painting charges.

Key Takeaways:

• Landlords generally cannot charge for painting due to normal wear and tear, but may deduct costs for wall damage or unauthorized painting.
• Most rentals should be repainted every 3 to 5 years, depending on use and local standards.
• Tenants can avoid unfair painting charges by reviewing their lease, documenting the property’s condition, and disputing unfair deductions in writing.

When Landlords Can Charge for Painting

Can landlords charge for painting in rental properties? Well, in most cases, landlords are responsible for routine maintenance, which includes repainting after several years of tenant turnover. However, there may be scenarios where a landlord or property manager in Austin can legally charge for re-painting, including the following.

Window screens may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to rental property maintenance, but that doesn’t mean they’re not important. Windows play a significant role in keeping tenants comfortable in their homes by keeping out bugs, allowing a breeze through, and providing an added layer of safety. But what happens when something goes wrong and screens need to be fixed? How often must landlords repair damaged window screens? Read along as we discuss in this article. 

Key Takeaways:

• Landlords are usually responsible for keeping window screens functional under state or local housing codes.
• Screens should be checked at move-in, during inspections, and when tenants report damage.
• Repair responsibility depends on the cause–landlords handle wear, tenants cover misuse or pet damage.

Are Landlords Required to Maintain Window Screens?

Whether landlords are required to maintain window screens is generally determined by the lease agreement, as well as state and local housing codes. In most areas in the United States, landlords are required to provide a “habitable” property, which generally includes providing safe, working windows. 

For instance, an Austin property management company must stay up to date with state and local rental laws regarding windows and screens...

If you’re planning to move soon, learning how to save for an apartment can help you avoid stress and ensure you have enough money at move-in time. In today’s article, we’ll discuss the upfront costs of moving, how to determine a monthly rent budget, set a realistic savings goal, and the importance of opening a savings account and cutting unnecessary expenses.

Key Takeaways

• Plan for Upfront Costs - Saving for an apartment isn’t just about rent. You’ll want to plan for a security deposit, application fees, moving costs, utility setup, and potential pet or parking fees.
• Create a Realistic Savings Plan - Calculate your total move-in costs, add a buffer for unexpected expenses, and set a monthly savings goal based on your moving timeline.
• Stay Disciplined With Savings - Use a separate bank account and cut unnecessary expenses to reach your savings goal faster and avoid dipping into it.

Understand the Upfront Costs of Renting

If you’re a first-time renter, you may not know all of the upfront costs of renting an apartment. During your search, you may be solely focused on the monthly rate. However, as any experienced property manager in Austin will tell you, there are generally quite a few costs yo...

Renting a home comes with the responsibility of keeping it in good condition. However, we all know that accidents happen. Whether you accidentally broke an appliance, stained the carpet, or your pets have caused damage, it’s important to know what happens if you damage a rental property. Today, we’ll review how to fix damages before you move out, tips to prevent damage during your lease, and how to resolve disagreements over damages with your landlord.

Key Takeaways:

• If you cause rental property damage, notify your landlord right away to prevent issues from getting worse, maintain a good landlord-tenant relationship, and reduce repair costs.
• Fixing minor issues yourself (with approval) before you move out can help protect your security deposit and avoid disputes over damages.
• Regular cleaning, timely maintenance reporting, and avoiding unauthorized alterations can help prevent damage and disputes during your tenancy.

What Happens After You Damage a Rental?

If you damage a rental property, whether it’s an accident or not, you’ll want to report it to your landlord or property managers in Austin as soon as possible. Promptly communicating issues with the property shows that you’re a respectful tenant and, depending on the type of damage, can prevent the problem from get...

Holiday Closing

Our offices are closed on Monday, September 1st, 2025, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.  The section below discusses the recent flooding and lake levels.  If you like to go out on the water the holiday is a great time to enjoy Lake Travis currently at about 88% full.  There are a lot of things happening over the weekend and we’d like to share a calendar of some of the events. 

Central Texas Flooding

As we all know Central Texas received...

Labor Day Holiday Closing

Our offices are closed on Monday, September 1st, 2025, in observance of the Labor Day holiday

Real Estate Market Update

The market seems to have leveled off in terms of any big moves, and there is a lot of data showing the trend is steady. The Redfin, Zillow, and KXAN data are great resources for the bigger picture for sales, which is part of the picture for rentals. There is anticipation that the Federal Reserve may lower interest rates before the end of the year, which may stimulate the market to some extent.

Central Texas Flooding

Central Texas received quite a bit of rain in July, which made the national news because of the tragedy that occurred when i...

Getting started in real estate can feel nearly impossible without a large chunk of cash saved up. However, it doesn’t have to be. With the right strategy, creativity, and willingness to learn, you can start a profitable business with little to no money out of your own pocket. Today, we’ll review how to start a rental property business with no money and provide strategies that have brought several investors success.

House Hacking for Equity and Cash Flow

One of the easiest ways to break into the real estate space with little money down is by house hacking. The concept of house hacking is simple–you buy a property, live in part of it, and rent out the rest. This may be a multi-unit property, or you could even rent out extra bedrooms in a single-family home.

Since you’d be living in the property, you may qualify for low-down-payment loans like a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan or a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan. Then, the rent from your tenants can cover most, if not all, of your mortgage, allowing you to live for free while building equity. During this time, you’re also gaining property management experience–similar to what a property manager in Austin might handle– by managing tenants, keeping up with maintenance, and more.

Investor Par...